Southampton have been linked with FC Copenhagen man Viktor Nelsson recently and the centre-back could prove to the ideal heir to Jannik Vestergaard in Ralph Hasenhuttl's side.

What's the word?

According to Copa 90's @Wheddsta (via Saints Extra), Southampton are considering a bid for the 22-year-old defender, although Crystal Palace are currently in pole position to sign him, whilst Burnley are also credited with an interest.

He suggests that a deal with Palace was close to being a done deal but Southampton are considering paying more than the Eagles have offered, which has put the transfer on hold for now.

Southampton's Vestergaard heir?

Despite being so young for a centre-back, Nelsson has already made 181 appearances in the Danish top-flight with Copenhagen and FC Nordsjaelland in his career, whilst he also has experience playing in the Europa League.

Whilst he predominantly plays as a centre-back, he has also featured as a defensive midfielder on 15 occasions in his career thus far, which suggests that he has the sort of versatility that Hasenhuttl would appreciate, as well as likely having the ball-playing ability to cut it as a centre-back in the Premier League.

The £3.15m-rated youngster is also a regular for the Denmark U21s with 35 caps to his name thus far, which suggests that it might not be long until he is playing alongside Vestergaard for Kasper Hjulmand's side.

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Given that the 28-year-old centre-back is looking more and more likely to leave St Mary's this summer, with Roma the latest side to show a serious interest in him ahead of his contract expiring at the end of next season, Nelsson could perhaps be brought in as the ideal long-term replacement.

Although he lacks experience outside of Denmark, he has plenty of time to adapt to the demands of playing in the top-flight and could provide cover for the likes of Mohammed Salisu and Jack Stephens alongside Jan Bednarek next season, before establishing himself as a regular in the future.

Therefore, there seems little reason why he couldn't be the ideal man to replace Vestergaard should he depart this summer.

And, in other news... Southampton handed big boost with "fantastic" £27m-rated beast, Hasenhuttl will be relieved