Hampshire Live journalist Tom Leach has shared an update on Southampton's reported interest in Borussia Dortmund Thomas Delaney, an update which will be disappointing for a lot of Saints fans.

What's the word?

Southampton were linked with a move for the Denmark international earlier in the summer, with a report from Sky Germany (via Sport Witness) claiming that the Saints, along with Norwich City and Crystal Palace, were interested in signing the 29-year-old ahead of next season.

However, in a recent Q and A session with Saints fans, Leach has suggested that Southampton won't be signing Delaney this summer, saying:

"I asked Hasenhuttl about the player directly to which he kindly told me that the club are not in for a central midfielder this summer, effectively ruling out any interest."

Would Delaney have been a good signing?

Delaney might have lost his regular spot in Dortmund's first-team last season, making just 14 starts in the Bundesliga, but he still has a huge amount of experience in the German top-flight and the Champions League.

He was also a regular in Kasper Hjulmand's Denmark side this summer as they reached the semi-final of the European Championships, making six appearances, scoring one goal and averaging an impressive 6.96 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

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Reports have also suggested that Dortmund are willing to sell him this summer and that he would be available for just €10m (£8.4m), which fits in with the budget that Hasenhuttl set out for Southampton before the transfer window.

Former Dortmund boss Edin Terzic was full of praise for Delaney last season, saying:

“Thomas Delaney always performs well, not just in the last two games. He is definitely a very important player who stabilises our defence and is always capable of destabilising our opponents. That is very important in this position. We are lucky to have a player like him in the squad.”

Therefore, he seems like exactly the sort of player who could've challenged James Ward-Prowse and Oriol Romeu in Southampton's midfield next season, as he would've been an experienced, cheap option for Hasenhuttl to have, so Saints fans will rightfully be gutted that their club seemingly aren't keen on signing him.

And, in other news... Hasenhuttl should axe "outstanding" Southampton star this summer