Turkish Super Lig club Trabzonspor has reportedly made an offer in the range of €3 million to €4 million for Southampton defender Jan Bednarek, a development that has emerged during ongoing negotiations for Saints striker Paul Onuachu.
The dual interest suggests a concerted effort by the Turkish outfit to raid the Championship-bound English club.
Southampton is bracing for a significant squad overhaul this summer as they prepare for life in the Championship following their recent relegation.
Clubs have wasted no time in circling for their players, with Nigerian international Paul Onuachu being a particularly sought-after commodity by several Turkish sides.
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Now, it appears that Polish international center-back Jan Bednarek could also be on his way out of St. Mary’s.
Reports indicate that a release clause in his contract, understood to be just over €7 million (approximately £6 million), has become active following Southampton’s relegation. If this clause is triggered by any club, Southampton would be powerless to prevent his departure.
According to Turkish outlet Gunebakis, Trabzonspor, who are actively pursuing Onuachu, have now extended their interest to Bednarek.
Their reported offer of €3 million to €4 million for the defender falls short of his active release clause, indicating they are attempting to negotiate a lower fee.
Bednarek, 29, has two years remaining on his current contract with Southampton. It remains unclear whether the experienced defender, who joined the Saints from Polish side Lech Poznan in 2017 and has since made 254 appearances for the club, is interested in a move to Turkey.
He featured regularly for Southampton in the recently concluded season, making 30 league appearances and even captaining the side on several occasions.
Trabzonspor’s long-standing admiration for Onuachu is well-known, as they previously had him on loan. They are reportedly attempting to lower Southampton’s asking price for the striker, who they hope to secure on a permanent basis.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Trabzonspor can successfully negotiate deals for both Onuachu and Bednarek, potentially bringing a significant defensive and attacking boost to the Turkish Super Lig side.
For Southampton, the situation underscores the challenges of retaining key players following relegation, as they look to rebuild their squad for a Championship promotion push.
