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Southampton target Joakim Maehle has confirmed that he would be interested in a move to the Premier League in the summer in a report by Het Belang van Limburg, via Sport Witness.

The Saints lined up an €11.5million (£10m) bid for the Genk right-back in January, per Het Belang van Limburg via Sport Witness, but no transfer came off.

What's the word?

Southampton's reported interest in Maehle came after the Saints allowed Cedric Soares to join Inter Milan on loan.

Maehle has made 64 appearances for Genk since joining the club from Aalborg BK and has won two caps for Denmark's Under-21 side.

And he admits that he was interested in moving to St Mary's, while admitting that he hopes to complete a similar transfer in the summer.

Speaking to Het Belang van Limburg, via Sport Witness, he said: "I’m not going to say that I wasn’t interested. This was a nice proposal from a big club from a top competition."

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Asked if he could move in the summer, he added: "We will see that. If I keep on performing, this opportunity definitely needs to happen again. But whether that will be at the same club or in the same competition, you cannot predict now."

Reignite interest in summer

This sounds very much like a come-and-get-me plea from Maehle.

The right-back would have the opportunity to link up with fellow Danes Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Jannik Vestergaard for the south coast outfit.

And it makes complete sense for the Saints to pursue a deal, particularly now that Cedric has been allowed to depart St Mary's.

If Saints stay up - they are currently two points clear of 18th-placed Cardiff City in the Premier League - their interest may well be reignited, as Ralph Hasenhuttl looks to shore up his defence.

Indeed, the club have conceded 42 goals thus far this season, only four fewer than rock-bottom Huddersfield Town.