Back in January 2019, Southampton were interested in Joakim Maehle.
Ralph Hasenhüttl saw the Denmark U21 international as an ideal replacement for Cédric Soares, who had been allowed to join Inter on loan, and a bid of €11.5m was made.
That was rejected by KRC Genk, however, and the 22-year-old remained in Belgium, where he has continued to work hard and still impresses.
Fast forward to the last transfer window, and a similar situation arose to his with Sander Berge, as Sheffield United came knocking for the Norwegian midfielder, but this time, the Jupiler Pro League side accepted the bid.
The 21-year-old swiftly became the club’s most expensive sale, but for Maehle, seeing his teammate get a move midway through the season when his was blocked last year wasn’t easy.
Speaking to Het Belang Van Limburg, he said: “I want to achieve the best with Genk, but at the same time, I am a young ambitious football player who wants to reach the top. If a nice club from a top competition knocks on the door, there will be an itch to take that step.
“But KRC Genk said no and I have to accept that as a professional. I have already seen – I am not going to mention names – when a player starts rebelling, but that’s not in my character, because I don’t want my behaviour to harm my teammates. That’s why I tried to turn the page as quickly as possible.”
There is the chance some other clubs were interested in him more recently, and he isn’t referencing the failed move to Southampton, but since he made it clear last May the Saints’ desire to sign him was ‘very concrete’ and explained Genk blocked the move, it’s safe to assume this is what Het Belang Van Limburg were talking about.Maehle knows he needs to continue to work hard to eventually get his move to the Premier League (or another top championship), and admits: “I have no guarantee whatsoever there will be such a great offer again. However, that chance is greatest if I reach my best level. That’s why it makes no sense to mourn.”
Thankfully for him, Kyle Walker-Peters is only on loan until the end of the campaign at St Mary’s, and while James Ward-Prowse has done well at right-back, it isn’t his natural position.
That means there’s still a chance Southampton could need a new signing in the position come June, and if Hasenhüttl wanted Maehle back then, there’s every chance he wouldn’t mind having him still.
