FC Groningen technical director Mark-Jan Fledderus has admitted there is a ‘good chance’ defender Deyovaisio Zeefuik will leave the club this summer amid interest from Southampton.
The 22-year-old has established himself as the first-choice at the Eredivisie club over the last two years following a permanent move from Ajax.
That has alerted clubs to him, namely Southampton, who were reported to be in ‘advanced contacts’ with the Dutch club about a move this summer.
Dagblad Noorden confirm the Premier League side are one of ‘several interested parties’ to contact Groningen with ‘concrete interest’ about a move.
They report that a deal could cost between €3-4m, with Groningen forced into a sale this summer if they want to make money as Zeefuik’s contract is set to expire next year.
And that appears to be on the cards, with Fledderus confirming that there is a good chance the right-back will be moving in the near future.
“We will see how it will go in the coming weeks,” he said.
“In any case, there is a good chance that Deyo played his last match for FC Groningen, but the correct price still has to come to the table.
“He is very clear about that himself. He would like to take the next step, and that is understandable and his right.
“He did very well with us. It makes sense that he wants to try it at a higher level. He is ready. They are fantastic clubs interested in him. Good for that boy.”
Whether Southampton will be able to finalise the deal remains to be seen. They are certainly in need of a right-back, especially with Cédric Soares’ contract running out in the summer.
A young, up and coming defender like Zeefuik would make sense, and certainly fits into their strategy of signing young players they can develop themselves.
With plenty of competition for his signature, including from the likes of Hertha BSC, who Dagblad Noorden name as another suitor, they may face a fight to get an acceptable deal over the line.
