Club targeting Southampton defender for January transfer – Player wants to leave to play more

Asist Analiz claim Trabzonspor have identified Southampton central defender Maya Yoshida as a target in this window.

The Turkish club are looking to sign a central defender this month after struggling for clean sheets so far this season.

It’s reported the Japanese defender is an option for the Trabzon side and the 31 year old is also looking to leave the Premier League club.

Yoshida hasn’t started a game in the league for Southampton since the end of October, and Asist Analiz report he wants to leave the club to get regular first-team football elsewhere.

Saints’ boss Ralph Hassenhüttl has in recent weeks been preferring the likes of Jan Bednarek and Jack Stephens ahead of him, so he may need to move on in this transfer window to avoid his career stagnating.

Yoshida has made 11 appearances in all competitions for the Premier League club this season and his contract will expire in the summer.

However, Southampton have the option to extend his current deal for a further year.