Southampton chase another bargain defender to follow Clyne

Strengthening his defence seems one of the key focuses of Nigel Adkins this summer, but as he seems certain to snap up a youngster for a bargain, he may not be so lucky when chasing a centre half with more Premier League experience.

Nathaniel Clyne has already signed a four-year-deal with Southampton from Crystal Palace, but it seems almost certain that a tribunal will be needed to set the transfer fee.

Because Clyne is under the age of 24, Crystal Palace are still entitled to a sum of money for his services, despite the fact his contract had expired.

The two clubs look unlikely to agree on a sum, with Southampton hoping for somewhere in the region of £2.5m and definitely more than the £750,000 they received previously from Tottenham for another of their youngsters John Bostock.

This would still arguably represent a bargain for Southampton, with Clyne having represented England at under-19 and under-21 level and drawing interest from other Premier League clubs in the past.

However, it seems unlikely that they will get their other defensive target for a similarly bargain price, with Blackburn holding out for £6m for Scott Dann.

The figure is the buy-out clause that Dann had inserted into his contract at Ewood Park when signing from Birmingham and he is now keen to get back in the Premier League after Blackburn’s relegation.

Southampton seem unwilling to part with this sum and are instead expected to test Blackburn’s resolve with an offer of around £3.5m.

The Saints are currently joint favourites at 11/10 in the Premier League odds to be relegated this season with Reading, but have already boosted their survival chances with four new signings this summer.

Jay Rodriguez has arrived for a decent sum from Burnley to aid Rickie Lambert in firing the goals up top, while Steven Davis is the other bigger name to come in from Rangers.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.