Southampton are once again being linked with Atalanta full-back Joakim Maehle, who seriously impressed with his performances for Denmark at Euro 2020 this summer.

What's the word?

Southampton were regularly linked with the defender during his time at KRC Genk but he eventually completed a move to Serie A side Atalanta in January in a deal worth €10m £8.6m.

However, after his excellent performances this summer, it would seem that Southampton have reignited their interest in the 24-year-old, with the Italian news outlet Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness) claiming that Ralph Hasenhuttl's side and Chelsea are both keen on signing him this summer.

They would need to pay €28m (£24.1m) if Atalanta are to let him go.

Would Maehle be a good signing for Southampton?

Unfortunately for Southampton, Hasenhuttl has suggested that the club will target players for £10m or less this summer, so it seems unlikely that they would spend more than double on that in order to sign Maehle from Atalanta.

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However, his performances for Denmark this summer certainly suggest that he would be a superb addition at St Mary's. Two goals and one assist in six games for Kasper Hjulmand's side saw them reach the semi-final at Wembley, with the full-back averaging a superb 7.38 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

Ian Wright was one of several pundits to sing his praises after an extraordinary outside-of-the-foot assist in Denmark's 2-1 win against Czech Republic in the quarter-finals, saying:

“Maehle has been fantastic in this tournament.

“He has scored the last couple of games but that is probably one of the passes of the tournament so far for me.”

His ability to play on either side as a left-back or a right-back, as well as further forward, immediately marks him out as the sort of versatile player that Hasenhuttl would love to have in his squad. He could provide excellent competition for both Romain Perraud and Kyle Walker-Peters next season, something the Saints desperately lacked last season when they struggled with injuries.

Therefore, although he would be an expensive option for the Saints this summer, Martin Semmens should definitely try and bring him to St Mary's if he can, as there seems little to suggest that he wouldn't be a success in Hasenhuttl's squad.

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