Southampton FC defender Salisu open to new contract talk

There have been no formal talks with Southampton over a new deal yet but with two years left on Salisu’s current contract, there will be a desire to come to some sort of resolution before he enters the final 12 months.

It is understood that the player is relaxed about the situation. Linked with a move away from St Mary’s in January, the 23-year-old would like to test himself at the highest level but he knows there is still significant room to learn and improve - something he believes he can do with Saints. 

Sources have told the Daily Echo that Salisu is enjoying life at Southampton and feels a strong connection to the club’s supporters, staff, his teammates and the city. 

Signed from Real Valladolid in the summer of 2020, Salisu had to wait until the following February to make his Premier League debut before appearing in 12 of Saints’ final 16 matches to end the 2020/21 season. 

This time around he was a regular from day one, missing just four games and playing in 87% of his side’s Premier League minutes. The highlight of his campaign was a stand-out performance in January's 1-1 draw with Manchester City.

But against the same foe in the FA Cup quarter-final he conceded a decisive penalty with a rash challenge on Gabriel Jesus.

Salisu prepares to take a throw-in. Image by: Stuart Martin

He ended up finishing the season in thoroughly inconsistent form as his side kept just one clean sheet across the final 12 games of the campaign.

“For me, in football mistakes come,” Salisu told the Daily Echo last month. “When it comes, you have to stay positive and try to believe in yourself.”

“Try to sit down and see what’s not right so you can make it better. I had a couple of bad games, I will say. But I’m still working hard to get back to my best.

“I’m doing Ramadan and it’s not easy. It’s very hard at the same time playing games, I think it’s a little bit affected me. But I’m still working hard and I will get back strong.”

Newcastle were said to have been very keen on a deal in January prior to the completion of Sport Republic’s takeover while Barcelona have been credited with interest more recently.

Salisu however, is enjoying his time at Southampton. The club will need to think about the next step for their centre-back sooner rather than later though as he enters the final two years of his current contract.

Salisu with manager Ralph Hasenhuttl. Image by: Stuart Martin

Southampton conceded 67 goals last season, more than every Premier League side other than Norwich, Watford and Leeds and the defence is of course, one of the priorities this summer.

There is uncertainty around Jan Bednarek and Jack Stephens' futures while a number of defenders are being looked at including 19-year-old Levi Colwill.

Saints’ interest in the Chelsea centre-back is nothing new. On loan at Huddersfield this season, Southampton have taken notice of his impressive emergence but they aren’t alone.

A number of Premier League clubs are eyeing Colwill while Thomas Tuchel has spoken about wanting his more successful loanees to take part in pre-season. The comment was made in reference to Conor Gallagher and Armando Broja but it would be no surprise to see that extend to Colwill as well.

Whether or not Colwill proves a viable signing, much of the focus over the next couple months will be on bringing players into the club with such a major reinvigoration needed. But they can’t afford to lose the few potential building blocks they already have.

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