Southampton should consider making a move for a player currently being linked with a move to Ipswich Town who would improve Russell Martin’s defensive options.
Southampton already know they will again be able to call upon centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis next season with the 22-year-old’s loan made permanent alongside promotion.
Even with the signing of Harwood-Bellis, Southampton have just three senior centre-backs currently at the club; Jan Bednarek and Jack Stephens the others.
The club have been linked with a move for Peterborough United central defender Ronnie Edwards, but they could improve their backline further by hijacking Ipswich’s move for Jacob Greaves.
Southampton should rival Ipswich Town for Jacob Greaves
Ipswich pipped Southampton to an automatic promotion spot in the Championship last season as they achieved the feat of consecutive promotions that the Saints themselves managed between 2010 to 2012.
Ipswich have been out of the Premier League for 22 years and are determined to ensure they stay there next season, identifying their defence as a key area to strengthen.
According to The Athletic’s Transfer Deal Sheet, the Tractor Boys have identified Hull City’s Greaves as a player who can help them do just that.
The Athletic report claims Ipswich are ‘interested in signing both Hull City defender Jacob Greaves and Panathaniokos striker Fotis Ioannidis’.
However, Kieran McKenna’s side are ‘yet to formalise approaches for either at this stage’.
The report also suggests that the centre-back is ‘being monitored by a number of clubs’ and Southampton should ensure they are one of those casting an eye over the 23-year-old.
Greaves an upgrade on Southampton captain Jack Stephens
Greaves is a product of Hull’s academy and has racked up an impressive 177 appearances for his hometown club, scoring six and assisting eight despite being a central defender.
Bednarek and Harwood-Bellis were generally Southampton’s best defensive partnership last season, with Stephens missing most of the first half of the season through injury.
The Saints skipper is highly regarded by Russell Martin, who found a space for the returning man when arguably there wasn’t one available by using him as an auxiliary left-back or in a back three towards the end of the season.
He performed well in these roles, albeit with a few shaky moments, but history shows that he struggles in the Premier League.
Southampton cannot afford to be sentimental and should be looking to upgrade the 30-year-old with a move for Greaves; particularly as Hull are at risk of breaching EFL spending rules which means he could be available at a discounted rate.
Crucially, Greaves is left-footed which is a precious commodity in centre-backs.
This will make him an incredibly useful asset, especially if Martin persists with the back three that gave Southampton play-off success.
Former Hull manager Grant McCann summarised it best as he said of Greaves: “The kid is going to be special, it’s as simple as that.”
Comfortable in possession and defensively solid, Greaves could be the perfect player to replace Stephens at Southampton.