Saints are said to be in contract talks with Oriol Romeu who is the man who has missed out to Pierre Emile Hojbjerg in the past year.

Oriol Romeu looked to be set to leave St Mary's after finding himself a little in the shade with Pierre Emile Hojbjerg coming to the fore, the Spaniard joined Saints in the summer of 2015 and up to this season has been a regular starter, but Ralph Hasenhuttl seemed to prefer Hojbjerg as the defensive midfielder and suddenly chances were limited for the 28 year old.

With his contract due to expire in 2021 it looked like Saints would cash in on the player now rather than see him leave for free next summer.

But the sudden Spurs interest in Hojbjerg if it is genuine would see Hojbjerg leave the club and a need to fill a gap, with the current covid 19 issues and transfer fees and wages set to drop as finacial austerity hits football, meaning that perhaps Saints won't be able to get rid of some of the deadwood out on loan, it seems they might turn to a player at the club to replace Hojbjerg.

Reports are coming out that the club are opening contract talks with Romeu who turning 29 in September is at the peak of his career, chances have been limited for the ex Barcelona and Chelsea man in the starting line up this term, but he has still started 13 games with another 9 off the bench, meaning he has still featured in around 3/4 of the Premier League games played so far.

Romeu was the Saints player of the year in 2016/17, a season remembered as drab, but also in reality one of the most successful in the clubs history, Romeu played a full part in the League Cup run playing in the final at Wembley, a game in which Pierre Emile Hojbjerg was an unused substitute.

So Perhaps Saints won't need to spend the money they receive for Hojbjerg on replacing him, they can do that from within and use the money on areas that need more attention like a central defender or a right back.

Photo: Action Images

highfield49 added 10:03 - Jun 4 For the first time in weeks, or months, my interest in football is starting to return. Having Romeu as captain with Ntcham bolstering the midfield and Fry coming into the back four I can visualise how RH wants to shape the team. None of these touted moves may take place of course but it's good to have a touch of enthusiasm for the game at last. Also, It wouldn't surprise me at all if PEH has played his last match in a Saints shirt, we have a manager who demands loyalty from his players and recent social media activity from the captain may have settled his future.

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TimSaint added 11:10 - Jun 4 PEH is more of a box to box player and has a better engine than Rom, so I am not sure that it is simply the case of a straight swap. Both give the ball away quite a lot, both fail miserably on the goal front and both have had spells out of the team. If PEH goes then Rom will surely stay. In saying that though, we still need to strengthen in this area, so I would expect a signing or 2 and the further development of Smallbone. In midfield, we would probably look to offload all or the majority of : Reed, Sims, Boufal, Lemina and McQueen (who?).

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IanRC added 19:42 - Jun 4 Not Sims I hope still think he would be touted as the next great star if at MUFC or Liverpool
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underweststand added 21:25 - Jun 4 Whilst I agree with most of the text from highfield 49 wrote..(above) . I really don't see Romeu being made captain following PEH's predicted transfer. Much as I like Romeu, he isn't totally dependable in a very physical midfield and some of his passing leave a lot to be desired. Whilst good enough in defence he is not so creative. PEH's departure will surely be the heralding of Ward-Prowse as the new captain.

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