Nottingham Forest have discussed two Southampton players ahead of a busy transfer deadline day. The Daily Mail claims that Jan Bednarek and Jack Stephens are on the radar, with today the last day that clubs are allowed to sign players.
The duo could both leave the Saints before tonight’s 11pm deadline. Ralph Hasenhuttl is keen to reshape his squad and right now, he doesn’t really see a place for either defender in his plans.
Bednarek is a Poland international and he’s made 42 appearances for his country. He’s been at Southampton since 2017 when he signed from Lech Poznan.
He’s been a mainstay in the team during his time on the south coast. The 26-year-old defender has made 153 appearances for the Saints and he does have three years to run on his existing deal.
Hasenhuttl has previously spoken fondly of the defender. He called him ‘very aggressive’ back in January and backed him to continue developing as a player.
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Another player on the radar of Forest as the window starts to shut is Saints defender Stephens.
He could also leave the club today and his position is probably under more threat than Bednarek’s at this moment in time.
Stephens has two years to run on his deal and he’s failed to start any of Southampton’s Premier League fixtures so far this season.
Forest’s race could already be run with regards to the centre-back, however. It was claimed yesterday that Bournemouth are nearing a deal to sign Stephens before tonight’s deadline.
Both players could make exits today, although they both appear long-shot options for Forest at this late stage.
Forest have discussed two Southampton players
Both Stephens and Bednarek have clear qualities and crucially both would inject a bit of pace into the defensive unit.
Forest could definitely do with at least one more defender but these two do seem unlikely to come to fruition during this transfer window.
The Reds are linked with Loic Bade from Rennes and that deal seems far more likely, at this stage than any deal for Bednarek or Stephens.
Interestingly, if the latter of the two does sign for Bournemouth; he could line up against the Reds on Saturday at the City Ground.
Forest were right to try and cast their net over Bednarek and Stephens. However, it looks a little late to get something over the line for one of these two players.