After Paul Lambert's blast at Ronald Koeman regarding Vlaar the rumours are starting to circulate again that the Dutch central defender will be leaving Aston Villa.
Saints are again being linked with Ron Vlaar alongside Manchester United although it could perhaps be due to the two managers in the Premier who know the player are Ronald Koeman and Van Gaal.
Certainly Vlaar's odds to join Saints have shortened in the past few days, however it should be noted that this market is more of a fun one than serious betting and the bookmakers get cold feet at ay minor movement due to the opportunity for a few bob to be made from those with a little inside knowledge.
Paul Lambert is saying that Vlaar is not for sale etc but the truth is with owner Randy Lermer looking to sell the club, Lambert is in no position to offer Vlaar the level of long term deal he could get elsewhere and that being the case the club itself could decide to cash in on Vlaar now rather than see him go on a free transfer in a years time.
But is Ronald Koeman nterested ? he has publicly said that he is not interested in another central defender, but that could just be a smokescreen.
Manchester United's rumoured interest could also be putting Saints into a frame that they are nowhere near and if Koeman is interested in Vlaar then he would not want to alert them to the fact, to be blunt if we went up against United then as much as it pains me to say it, we would be likely to lose, they can offer a far bigger salary as well as the opportunity to challenge the top five.
In my opinion Saints do need another central defender, Jose Fonte is a good Premier League defender but he with all respect to him is not a great one and with the untried Gardos coming in that patrnership is certainly going to be under pressure, the problem is though unless we sign new blood neither players is going to be under pressure for his place, Yoshida is not Premier standard except for short periods and Jos Hooivelt certainly isnt, that leaves just the untried Jack Stephens.
This all being the case there is still room in the Saints squad for another central defender, with our current options, one injury would leave us stretched, both Fonte and Gardos out at the same time would leave us with a central pairing that would with respect to ooiveld and Yoshida struggle in the Championship.
Ronald Koeman seems to have faith in Jack Stephens to step up to the plate, if we don't sign another central defender then that is a big act of faith in a player who a 3 minute cameo in the FA Cup nearly 3 years ago aside has not bee near getting a game in the Premier league, in fairness to Stephens though that has been as much to do with age as with his ability, he has been quietly learning his trade and could now be on the cusp of stepping up.