Aston Villa backed to agree Jan Bednarek deal after source’s update – Whelan
Noel Whelan has claimed Southampton will want to bring in a replacement for Jan Bednarek prior to his possible exit to Aston Villa.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the Saints will be wary of allowing the 26-year-old to leave after the “freak injury” to Villa ace Diego Carlos.
Sources told this site on Sunday (21 August) that Aston Villa have submitted a loan offer for Southampton star Bednarek.
Their move for the Poland international comes after a crushing injury blow to big-money summer signing Carlos – who will miss the rest of the season with an Achilles tendon injury.
Despite the Brazillian’s injury layoff, Aston Villa have sanctioned the exit of centre-back Kortney Hause – who has joined Watford on a season-long loan.
The Midlands giants must now go into the market for another central defender before the window shuts on 1 September.
Whelan told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “I think they’d want someone to come in and replace Bednarek if he is to leave.
“I don’t think Southampton have a big enough squad to allow that to happen without getting a replacement on board.
“If they’re going to let him go then they need the players to compete, rotate, and even deal with any injuries or suspensions they may get. Anything could happen.
“We’ve already seen how these freak injuries can happen with Diego Carlos – and Southampton probably have an even smaller squad than Aston Villa.
“It’s important that they have something in place if Bednarek is allowed to leave.”
In other news, pundit savages Steven Gerrard as Aston Villa deal branded “utter disaster”.