Deal agreed as Southampton set to sign Serie A star to fill last area of need
Southampton have agreed a deal with Torino to sign Lyanco, who will reportedly be in attendance for their game against Manchester United on Sunday.
Recent reports revealed that, despite still aiming to strengthen their youth ranks, finding a new centre-back is the only outstanding priority for Southampton with regards to their senior side in the transfer window. After losing Jannik Vestergaard to Leicester City, they require a replacement.
Although Lyanco was supposedly in talks with Watford earlier this week, a move to the South Coast is now close.
Gianluca Di Marzio revealed on Friday that Lyanco’s desire to leave Torino has forced them to drop their demands. As such, Southampton can snatch him for a lower sum than the Serie A side would have liked.
Nicolo Schira has since provided an update on the fee Southampton will be paying. He describes Lyanco’s move as a “done deal” worth €7.5m and €2.5m in add-ons.
According to Schira, Lyanco will be in Southampton on Sunday before undergoing a medical one day later. Should all go to plan, he could be available for their trip to face Newcastle in the last game before the first international break of the season.
A former Brazil youth international of Serbian descent, Lyanco made the move to Europe in 2017. He has spent four seasons with Torino, interrupted by a six-month loan at Bologna in 2019.
Last season, he played 23 times in Serie A for Torino, who finished 17th in the Italian top flight. Now aged 24, the former Sao Paulo star is ready for the next challenge in his career.
Hasenhuttl has hinted at Lyanco transfer
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl revealed his confidence that a new centre-back would arrive at St Mary’s Stadium.
“Both Danny Ings and Jannik Vestergaard were important players for us but losing Vestergaard left us without enough alternatives in the centre-back positions at the moment,” he said when addressing two key summer departures at opposite ends of the pitch.
“I can guarantee you that we will sign a player in this position [centre-back].
“We did well to get money for both and to allow us to replace them and when we manage this we will need some time to find each other, until now we have made a few good signings.”
Although he did not name Lyanco at the time, it now seems he will be the one to join.
Southampton started their season with defeat to Everton and a tough first home match awaits against Man Utd. They will be hoping that the potential arrival of Lyanco can help them settle down as the season progresses.
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