Southampton eye £4.3m Austria ace to replace Van Dijk or Fonte

Southampton are reportedly lining up a move for Austria international and Tottenham defender Kevin Wimmer, according to The Sun.

The Premier League side, who advanced into the semi-finals of the EFL Cup after defeating Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night, fear they could lose key defenders Virgil van Dijk or Jose Fonte, or both, during the forthcoming January transfer window.

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Wimmer, 24, who has eight international caps for his country and featured for Austria at Euro 2016 earlier this summer, has made just five first-team appearances in all competitions for Spurs so far this season.

The centre-back, who arrived at White Hart Lane from Cologne back in May 2015 following his reported £4.3m switch, is currently behind fellow defenders Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen in the pecking order at Tottenham.

Saints are expected to receive interest in fellow centre-halves Van Dijk and Fonte from Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester United in the new year.