Fresh Negotiation As Director In Bold Transfer Claim With Southampton

Southampton have received a boost in their hunt for Werder Bremen man Leonardo Bittencourt with their director making a bold transfer claim.

Southampton are preparing for life back in the Premier League.

Russell Martin’s side achieved promotion last season via the play-offs. The Saints narrowly beat Leeds United at Wembley last month and Southampton subsequently regained Premier League status.

The transfer window opens officially on Friday, but it hasn’t stopped the Saints from making early moves to help bridge the gap between the second tier and the top flight.

Bittencourt was linked with Southampton last month. Reports said the Saints were keen on a move for the 30-year-old Bundesliga man and now an update on their pursuit has emerged.

Werder Bremen director Clemens Fritz has addressed the interest in an interview. Speaking to DeichStube (via Sport Witness), he said:

“We have not received anything. That’s why we are not currently dealing with the topic.”

Fritz goes onto claim that ‘no player is unsellable’ and Werder Bremen are ‘always willing to negotiate’ providing the transfer fee is right.

It doesn’t sound as if Southampton have yet made an official move for the experienced midfielder.

However, it does sound as if a deal is on the cards this summer providing both clubs can agree on a ballpark figure.

Bittencourt played 29 Bundesliga games for Werder Bremen last season, contributing to three goals throughout.

He has been a regular for the club since joining in 2019 and he has spent all of his career to date in Germany.

Making progress

Martin’s side have already been active this summer. Taylor Harwood-Bellis has joined permanently after an obligation to buy was triggered in his loan deal.

Elsewhere, Ryan Fraser from Newcastle United is another loan move they are hoping to make permanent this summer.

And they are also aiming to bring Flynn Downes back to the club from West Ham following his time on the south coast last year.

Last season saw three clubs try and fail to adjust well enough to the demands of the top flight. But, so far it could be argued there is a lot more hope for the three newly-promoted teams this time around.