Southampton 'keen' to retain Leeds United, Everton, Aston Villa and Fulham-linked Leo Scienza
Southampton’s stance on Leo Scienza outlined amid links to Leeds United, Aston Villa, Everton, Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton will reportedly be keen to retain Leo Scienza this summer despite talk of interest from Leeds United.
The winger has hit the ground running since his arrival on British shores from 1. FC Heidenheim last summer.
He has helped the Saints bounce back from a slow start to emerge as contenders for promotion, contributing seven goals and 10 assists across 34 league appearances.
Leo Scienza latest
Football Insider have claimed he is a leading target for the Whites, who have raced eight points clear of the Premier League relegation zone.
However, it has been suggested the Saints will be looking to keep hold of the versatile attacking outlet rather than sell him to boost the coffers.
The outlet’s reporter Pete O’Rourke said: “There’ll be a number of clubs who will look at Leo Scienza. A real great pick up from Southampton when they signed him from Heidenheim in Germany, he’s been outstanding for them since his arrival.
“Southampton will be keen to keep hold of him. Especially if they win promotion, they’ll be confident that they can keep hold of Scienza because they will be able to offer him Premier League football.
“I’m sure there will be Premier League clubs, not just Leeds, who’ll be willing to offer the skilful winger that chance to play at the highest level as well.
“But Southampton will be hopeful that they’ve shown enough in the closing stages of this season to try and convince their best players to stay, even if they don’t go up.
“If they do win promotion to the Premier League they’ll be pretty confident that they can keep hold of Scienza, and their other players as well.”
Leeds United’s links to Southampton stars
It has been reported elsewhere that Scienza has a £25m release clause in his contract.
Leeds may well be keeping an eye on Southampton and how the rest of their season plays out as if they miss out on promotion back to the top flight, they could be more vulnerable to transfer bids.
Scienza is not the only Saints star to have been linked with Leeds, as the West Yorkshire club have previously been reported as admirers of midfielder Shea Charles.
More recently, the Whites have been linked with Charles’ younger brother Pierce, who is Sheffield Wednesday’s first-choice goalkeeper.