Aston Villa exploring possibility of signing Southampton's Bednarek

The Polish defender has started both of the first two Premier League matches for Ralph Hasenhuttl this season, but was sacrificed at two goals down during the eventual 2-2 draw with Leeds United.

The boss went to a 4-2-2-2 and 26-year-old Bednarek made way for forward Adam Armstrong, before the game flipped on its head.

The Villans are in the market for another centre-back after their marquee summer signing, former Sevilla star Diego Carlos, was ruled out for a minimum of six months with a ruptured Achilles.

Bednarek, who is under contract at Saints until 2025 after having arrived in England from Lech Poznan in 2017, has been linked with a number of possible exit routes this summer.

Told it’s still too early to tell if an #AVFC deal for Jan Bednarek can be made.

Interest there but no ‘expectation’ from #SaintsFC that it will happen. If it did, the club think/hope it would be for a £15m+ fee.

— Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) August 19, 2022

Now, Aston Villa are interested in bringing the Pole to Villa Park as further cover – however, the Daily Echo is told it is too early to tell if a deal can be made.

If a deal is to be struck with the Premier League rivals, Saints hope it will be for a fee north of £15million.

There is no expectation to sell the player from a Saints perspective, although they are trying to trim their oversized squad. The St Mary’s side purchased Bednarek for just over £5million five years ago.

Bednarek had also been linked with a move to Italy’s Serie A, but no such transfer has materialised with under two weeks until the summer window closes.

Hasenhuttl has six senior centre-backs to choose from in his squad, also including Mohammed Salisu, new arrival Armel Bella-Kotchap, Lyanco, Yan Valery and Jack Stephens.

Stephens could also be on his way out after over a decade, with reports of a move to Championship Watford on the cards.

A Bednarek exit, if it were to happen, could leave Hasenhuttl – who also has youngster Dynel Simeu still at the club – short of defensive options, with full-back already one position being pursued in the market.

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