Caspar Jander to Stuttgart transfer truth emerges as Southampton exit continues to be touted | OneFootball

Caspar Jander's future is the subject of intense speculation ahead of the summer transfer window

Southampton face a huge clash against Ipswich Town on Tuesday evening to keep their hopes of automatic promotion alive.

Tonda Eckert’s side are unbeaten in their last 17 league games, with their last defeat coming on 17 January at home to Hull City.

The Saints have climbed the Championship table in the months since, and they are now just four points behind Kieran McKenna’s side in second.

A victory would put the Hampshire outfit one point behind with just one game to go, but any other result will leave the team stuck in the play-offs.

Despite the intense promotion battle the side faces, the club will also have one eye on the upcoming summer transfer window.

Southampton will be creating plans for both outcomes of their promotion push in order to avoid falling behind their rivals in case their league status isn’t confirmed until the play-off final on 23 May.

Southampton receive Caspar Jander boost

According to German outlet Bild, Caspar Jander remains a transfer option for Stuttgart this summer.

However, the Bundesliga outfit will have to sell a key player before being able to afford the midfielder’s €25 (£21.6) million price tag.

The 23-year-old made the switch to St. Mary’s from Nurnberg last summer, and he has cemented himself as a key figure in Eckert’s side.

The German has contributed two goals and one assist from 34 appearances in the Championship, with Southampton now firmly in the mix for promotion.

But speculation surrounds his future, with Stuttgart keen to bring him back to Germany after just 12 months.

It’s believed that the sale of Angelo Stiller could be what unlocks the funds to bring Jander to the club.

The 25-year-old has been a standout figure for Stuttgart, and is attracting interest from major teams across Europe, including Juventus and Manchester United.

Southampton’s own promotion battle could provide a boost to their hopes of keeping Jander, with Premier League football potentially on the horizon.

The Saints are currently fifth in the Championship table, but have a game in hand on Middlesbrough and Millwall in fourth and third.

The gap to Ipswich is four points ahead of this evening’s clash at St. Mary’s, where a win would move Eckert’s side above Boro and the Lions.

It would also keep their hopes alive of a top two finish, leaving them a point adrift of the top two, with the game set to get underway at 7.45pm.

Premier League promotion will determine Caspar Jander’s future

If Southampton can gain promotion to the Premier League, then it will be much easier to hold onto Jander, regardless of what business Stuttgart do to raise funds.

Their current form is quite impressive, and there’s every chance Eckert’s side can win their place in the top flight, particularly with the midfielder’s own impressive form.

However, defeat to Ipswich will consign them to the play-offs, which are unpredictable and often goes against the form book.

If Southampton are unable to get out of the Championship, then Stiller’s sale could be the first step in Jander’s departure from the Saints, which would be a real blow for the Hampshire outfit.