“I want to go to Germany” – Saints target opting against St Mary’s move after ‘advanced contacts’ in April

Over the past couple of months, we’ve been keeping a close eye on the situation surrounding Deyovaisio Zeefuik.

The right-back, who currently plays for FC Groningen in the Eredivisie, is a reported target for Southampton this summer, and the club were in ‘advanced contacts’ with the player back in April.

Just over a week ago, it was reported by Voetbal International the Saints were still in the race for the 22-year-old, and it appears the defender has now made his choice.

Unfortunately for Ralph Hasenhüttl and his staff, it isn’t Southampton, as Zeefuik wants to go to Hertha BSC in the Bundesliga.

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Speaking to RTV Noord after Groningen’s first summer training session, he said that while he was present in terms of ‘effort and quality’, his head was no longer at the Dutch club.

He said: “I want to go to Germany as soon as possible, to Hertha BSC”.

He then indirectly accused the club’s technical director Mark-Jan Fledderus (RTV Noord filled in that gap) by saying the motivation of his departure was down to one person: “I’m not going to mention names. You know who. I feel like I’m being held back. As great as it is here, I still look at myself and the future. It’s time for the next step”.

That next step, however, doesn’t appear to be Southampton.

If the Saints still want Zeefuik, they will have to be very persuasive very quickly.