Ralph Hasenhuttl's hopes of keeping Jannik Vestergaard at Southampton next season look to have suffered another blow after it was reported that Serie A club Roma are now keen on signing the Denmark international this summer.

According to Tutto Mercato Web, Paulo Fonseca's side are considering a move for the 28-year-old centre-back after his impressive performances for the Saints so far this season.

They are not alone in their interest, however, as Tottenham Hotspur have also been heavily linked with the former Borussia Monchengladbach man ahead of the opening of the summer transfer window, so it is looking increasingly likely that Vestergaard could depart Southampton in the near future.

Since signing for the Saints in the summer of 2018, the giant defender has gone on to make 71 appearances for Hasenhuttl's side, contributing four goals and no assists.

After struggling in his first two seasons with the club, he has established himself as a key player under the Austrian manager so far in 2020/21 and has averaged an impressive 7.08 WhoScored rating for his performances in the Premier League, which currently rates him as Southampton's best performer in the top flight this term.

Therefore, it is no surprise that the likes of Roma and Spurs are keen on the centre-back, and whilst neither of those has enjoyed a particularly strong league campaign, both could offer European football next season should they succeed in cup competitions, with Spurs in the final of the Carabao Cup whilst Roma are in the semi-finals of the Europa League.

[snack-amp-story url="https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/southampton-saints-ralph-hasenhuttl-martin-semmens-st-marys" title="Latest Southampton news, transfer rumours and more"]

Hasenhuttl recently suggested that the likes of Vestergaard and Danny Ings are not for sale this summer, but given that the Dane's contract on the south coast is set to expire at the end of next season, Southampton could be forced to cash in on him this summer if Spurs or Roma can tempt him away.

The Austrian was full of praise for his defender earlier this month, saying: "This season, especially, he has shown some very good qualities and has developed his game massively. He knows that we want him here. I think he feels at the moment like a real leader on the pitch."

[freshpress-quiz id=“594431"]

Therefore, it would certainly be a huge blow if Hasenhuttl were to lose the centre-back this summer, and it seems like Roma's reported interest is yet another setback in Southampton's hopes of keeping him at St Mary's.

And, in other news... Southampton could sign their next Van Dijk in teenage defender destined for "big things"