Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl had already more than intimated that centre-half Wesley Hoedt was free to leave the club during the January transfer window and late yesterday evening it was being reported that we were in talks with Celta Vigo over a potential deal.
Sky Sports claimed that both clubs were in discussions on a loan to buy deal over the 24-year-old and having not featured since the departure of former manager Mark Hughes, the defender isn’t in our plans moving forward so if we can recoup most of the reported £15million outlay we paid Lazio for him back in August 2017, it suits us far more as the gaffer looks to reshape the squad.
Hasenhuttl had been previously quoted as saying.
“For Wesley it can be the same (Manolo Gabbiadini and Steven Davis). We don’t send any player away but if he feels like he is not used like wants from us, he should think about it.”
With Maya Yoshida set to return from the Asian Cup in under a fortnight, and with Jannik Vestergaard, Jack Stephens and Jan Bednarek as the preferred three at the back, we do have cover.
#SaintsFC can confirm that @wesleyhoedt has today joined #Celta on loan until the end of the season. Find out more: https://t.co/eTffVxv7Kr
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 22, 2019
Earlier on today, it was now being reported that terms had been signed on a loan deal for the remainder of the campaign, as Hoedt has now headed out of Staplewood, presumably for the last time.
He now teams up with Sofiane Boufal who is also out with the club.
“The move will allow him to gain additional playing time between now and the end of the season, while also further helping Ralph Hasenhüttl to achieve his aim of trimming the first-team squad this month. The club would like to wish Wesley good luck for the rest of the season.”
