Southampton: £50k-a-week star could now leave St Mary's

Southampton defender Jack Stephens could leave St Mary’s Stadium before the window closes, according to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook.

Stephens has made more than 100 appearances since arriving from Plymouth 11 years ago, but his game-time has reduced in recent seasons which could lead to a summer exit.

Stephens has featured from the bench in Saints’ opening two Premier League matches, but he’s made just 26 starts in the last two campaigns having fallen behind Jan Bednarek and Mohammed Salisu in the pecking order.

With Southampton already bolstering their central options with the addition of Armel Bella-Kotchap, who played 90 minutes against Leeds last weekend, Stephens’ chances aren’t likely to improve.

As a result, the 28-year-old, who has less than two years remaining on his £50,000 per-week contract, is currently in talks over a move to Watford, and while it’s unclear whether it would be a permanent or a loan, the south coast club are ‘open to negotiations’.

Crook states that he’s spoken to someone at Southampton and was informed that Stephens could end up leaving, although it won’t necessarily be for Watford.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “Stephens is interesting because I saw that knocking around yesterday and I’ve seen it again this morning.

“I did contact someone close to Southampton and they said he might go, they’re not entirely sure it’ll be to Watford, though, so keep an eye on that one.”

The fact Stephens featured in Saints’ first two league fixtures, including 45 minutes at Tottenham, suggests that he’s a firm member of the squad.

Playing a back three, Stephens is one of just five centre backs Ralph Hasenhuttl currently has at his disposal, which means that he’ll surely have to be replaced if he gets moved on.

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