Johannes Spors drops brutally honest Southampton FC transfer update | OneFootball

Southampton's sporting director has offered an update on the £7.4m option to buy clause in Elias Jelert's loan deal

Southampton sporting director Johannes Spors has responded emphatically to speculation surrounding Elias Jelert’s option to buy in his loan deal.

It was reported earlier this season by Turkish outlet Fanatik that the Saints had already decided they would not be pulling the trigger on their €8.5 (£7.4) million clause to make the 22-year-old’s loan deal permanent.

The Dane has made just three appearances since arriving from Galatasaray in the summer, and has yet to feature under Tonda Eckert.

His last game for the club came on 18 October, starting in a 0-0 draw at home to Swansea City, leading to speculation that he will not remain at St. Mary’s beyond his loan spell.

Jelert also featured in a 3-1 loss to Hull City and a 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough, as well as a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in the EFL Cup in September.

Johannes Spors reacts to Elias Jelert speculation

Spors has claimed that there is no truth to the rumours regarding a decision being made about Jelert’s long-term future at the Championship side.

He questioned why the club would make their final choice so early in the campaign when they have up until May to make the call on the player’s future.

"I spoke to him in the canteen, and I said: 'Elias, when you read that, it's b*******. Just don't listen to that'," said Spors, via the Daily Echo.

“I thought maybe he reads and believes that.

"Why should a football club take up an option in November that they have until May? It makes no sense.

“Even if you wanted to take the option, or didn't, you don't do it [now].

"That is what I said.

“He is a very good player, and he got injured in a bad moment because he played his best game for us and got injured in that game.

"Now he comes back.

“We had to recover him slowly.

“We have a block of Christmas games, and it will be good to hopefully have him recovered."

A quad injury has kept Jelert out of action since October, so it remains to be seen how important he will be to Eckert’s plans once fully fit.

Southampton can reportedly complete the signing of the full-back in the summer for £7.4 million as part of their loan agreement, which had an upfront cost of €300,000 (£260,000).

Eckert’s side are currently 10th in the Championship table with 30 points from their opening 21 games, leaving them four adrift of the play-offs.

Next up for the Saints is a home clash against Coventry City on Saturday afternoon in a 12.30pm kick-off.

Southampton have no reason to rush Elias Jelert decision

Jelert’s start to life at Southampton hasn’t been as the club or player would’ve hoped, but it’s still only the halfway point of the campaign.

The Hampshire outfit have until the end of the season to make their mind up on his future, so it’s hard to believe they know already that he’s surplus to requirements.

Especially given the defender has been injured since October and he has yet to even feature under Eckert.

Southampton are reportedly paying his £30,000 wages in full as part of this loan deal, so they have every reason to give him another chance in the team once he is fit and ready for the second half of the term.