Will Southampton decline again?
“Assume that we are able to react in the winter,” said Dirk Zingler, president of 1. FC Union Berlin, about possible transfers in January as part of the separation from Urs Fischer. One new name among those traded in the last two weeks is Jan Bednarek, Polish international for Southampton FC.
| rumor | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J. Bednarek |
 | |||||||||
Central defender | ||||||||||
| ||||||||||
According to what can be classified as well-informed, the 27-year-old central defender had the interest of the “Iron”. portal and YouTube channel “Meczyki” woke up in the summer. After Southampton’s relegation from the Premier League, the then Champions League participant was prepared to pay around 10 million euros for Bednarek – but without success. In their history, the Berliners have only spent more on national player Robin Gosens (29) – 13 million euros in the summer. Now Union is once again among those interested in the defensive player who will be tied to the “Saints” until 2025.
With Volland and Gosens: The most expensive additions from Union Berlin
If there was no success in the summer, it shouldn’t be any more likely now: Southampton are in third place in the playoffs in the Championship and are more points ahead of the non-promotion places than they are behind the top two, who have a direct return to the league Upper House would mean. Under Russell Martin, Bednarek is one of the top performers and was only absent from the field when he was injured or suspended (one game each). Promotion would bring Southampton significantly more money than selling a regular player in January.
Bednarek rumors about Union Berlin: Consequence of Bonucci talks?
It is also possible that the rumor arose because speculation about the future of Leonardo Bonucci, who was only hired in the summer, was particularly popular during the holidays. Italian daily newspapers such as “Gazzetta” and “Corriere dello Sport” reported that the 36-year-old veteran actually did not want to return to Germany after his Christmas vacation in his home country. Italy’s national coach Luciano Spalletti advised Bonucci in a phone call to return to Serie A if he hoped to be nominated for the 2024 European Championship. Consultant Alessandro Lucci (World Soccer Agency) then held talks with AS Roma, which were sometimes described as being at an advanced stage.
Roma coach José Mourinho and Tiago Pinto had already confirmed their desire for another defender before the holidays. The coach is also said to have given his consent to a Bonucci transfer – just like Union, where the Juventus icon has not yet really arrived in the worst sporting crisis in the club’s recent history. However, fans of the Giallorossi, especially on social media, were up in arms against the possible transfer because of Bonucci’s connection to the hated “Old Lady”.
| rumor | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | L. Bonucci |
 | ||||||||
Central defender | ||||||||||
| ||||||||||
As a result, reports emerged that Roma were backing away from a signing and exploring other options – younger ones, even if they cost more. Mourinho’s dream solution was now considered to be Belgian international Arthur Theate (23), for whom Stade Rennais transferred 19 million euros to FC Bologna in 2022. How hot the discussions with Bonucci actually were remains to be seen. As is the fact that the name will likely continue to be mentioned regularly if the Italians do not sign another defender in a timely manner.
Mourinho declined to comment on Bonucci to reporters on Friday, but said: “I won’t talk about it. He is not our player and we should respect him.” He also suggested: “When you do something that the fans really like, you stir up passion and love. If you do something they don’t like, you shouldn’t do it, and that’s all I can say.”
To home page