Southampton set for £6.5m boost as defender set to join Porto, he may be a necessary sacrifice for Will Still

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Southampton have some work to do in the summer transfer window if they want an instant return to the Premier League.

The Saints will be expected to fight it out for an automatic promotion spot in 2025/26, and Damion Downs will be crucial after Mauricio Pochettino told the USA ace to join the club.

Will Still wants to let go of more players this summer, and a clear-out could still occur at St. Mary’s ahead of deadline day on 1 September.

Now, it looks as though the Southampton boss will have his wish granted with a centre-back set to depart for Porto in the coming days.

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Jan Bednarek is set to join Porto from Southampton

Jan Bednarek made 30 appearances in the Premier League for the Saints last season, scoring twice from central defence as the Hampshire outfit nearly set a record points low in the division.

However, according to Portuguese outlet O Jogo, Porto are closing in on a move for the Poland international, who first joined Southampton back in 2017 from Lech Poznan.

The report states that the Championship side will receive €7.5m (£6.5m) for the centre-back, with Bednarek bidding farewell to a club which he has made 254 appearances for in all competitions over the course of the last eight years.

The 29-year-old spent a short time out on loan at Aston Villa in 2022/23, but he played just four times for the Villains before returning to St. Mary’s.

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Player sales will help Will Still keep hold of key stars

Despite playing a key role for Southampton last time out, now is the right time for Bednarek to move on with the club entering a new era.

The Saints are keen to keep hold of Matheus Fernandes this summer, while Tyler Dibling will also be crucial in the Championship.

Raising funds by selling others, though, is the perfect way to ensure that the likes of these two stay in Hampshire, with moves to top flight clubs a real possibility.

Aaron Ramsdale has also been linked with a move away this summer, but if Southampton are to mount a promotion challenge, he will be vital, and Still can ill-afford to lose such a solid shot-stopper.