Tottenham need to drop asking price for Southampton target

Southampton are keen on bringing in Kevin Wimmer from Tottenham to improve their defence this summer, but the north London side need to drop their asking price for the Austrian, reports the Daily Mirror. 

Saints are keen to secure a long-term replacement for Jose Fonte, who left the south coast side for Premier League counterparts West Ham back in January. 

Spurs are prepared to sell Wimmer during the off season with the centre-back struggling to make an impact for the club following his arrival from Cologne two years ago. 

However, Saints are unwilling to match Spurs’ £20m asking price for the 24-year-old, who made only four Premier League starts last season. 

Saints, who are currently without a manager following the sacking of Claude Puel, see Wimmer as a centre-back partner for Virgil van Dijk rather than a replacement for the highly rated Dutchman. 

Liverpool were believed to be in pole position to sign Van Dijk, only to drop their interest in the Netherlands international, while Chelsea and Manchester City are closely monitoring the 25-year-old. 

Wimmer has also been linked with a return to Germany, but Saints are hoping to keep him in England as they negotiate a deal with Spurs for the Austria international.