According to reports on Foot Mercato, Southampton are one of a number of clubs interested in signing Valencia centre-back Aymen Abdennour this summer.

Foot Mercato says that Saints, along with Premier League rivals Leicester City, Inter Milan, Lyon and Marseille have all got the 27-year-old on their shortlists, with the La Liga giants hoping to receive €15m (approximately £13.3m) for him, although they could be willing to accept less.

The Tunisia international made his name with French side Toulouse and he earned a permanent move to Monaco in 2014 following a successful loan spell, and he starred in their Champions League campaign before they were eliminated at the semi-final stage by Juventus.

The central defender signed a five-year deal with Valencia at the end of that season but he has struggled to hold down a regular spot in the side, and he made just 14 appearances in all competitions last term with injuries and representing his country at the African Cup of Nations not helping his cause.

Here are three reasons Southampton don’t need to sign Abdennour…

They don’t need a centre-back

At the current time Southampton have five senior centre-backs – Virgil van Dijk, Jack Stephens, Maya Yoshida, Jan Bednarek and Florin Gardos – and it would need three of those to go in order for Abdennour to be needed right now.

While the speculation surrounding Van Dijk leaving is likely to continue throughout the rest of the transfer window, unless Liverpool or any other of the Dutchman's suitors are willing to pay a ridiculous fee then the defender won’t be leaving St Mary’s – especially as he still has five years on his contract with the south coast outfit.

Yoshida and Stephens

When Jose Fonte left during the January transfer window and Van Dijk picked up an injury that ruled him out for the rest of the season in the same month, Southampton fans would have been concerned about Stephens and Yoshida playing together for the remainder of the campaign.

However, the duo certainly stepped up their game and they kept short-term addition Martin Caceres out of the side.

While Van Dijk is a certain starter next season if he stays, Mauricio Pellegrino will need to pick either Stephens or Yoshida alongside him, and they deserve their opportunity rather than being pushed further down the pecking order if the club signs Abdennour.

Blocking Stephens/Bednarek

Following a number of loan spells away, Stephens was given the opportunity to stake his claim for a regular spot in the Saints first team when Van Dijk got injured in January, and he grasped the chance with both hands.

The 23-year-old got better and better as the campaign went on and he will be disappointed if he isn’t on the team sheet for the Premier League season opener against Swansea City having also signed a new five-year deal this summer.

Bringing in Abdennour from Valencia would certainly block the pathway of Stephens and summer arrival Jan Bednarek to the starting line-up, and the south coast outfit would be turning their back on playing and developing their youngsters in the process.

Do you agree, Saints fans? Let us know below.