Southampton must not let £10.4m star leave even if £15m+ bid arrives | OneFootball

Caspar Jander has started to settle in properly at Southampton and is receiving interest for a return to Germany

It's always a gamble when a Championship side spends north of £10 million on one player, but in Caspar Jander, Southampton have a real gem.

The Saints spent £10.4 million to bring him in from German second-tier side FC Nuremberg in the summer, and he has been one of the more well-rounded defensive midfielders in the Championship this season.

Regardless of the team's form and whoever has been in the dugout, Jander has been consistently one of the top players at St Mary's, and, understandably, he's now once again the subject of transfer interest from elsewhere, and from top-flight sides for the first time in his career.

The German under-21 international could be on the move once more for the third successive summer, but Southampton must do everything they can to ensure that doesn't materialise, whether they're in the Championship or not.

Southampton could double their Caspar Jander money, but they should stand strong against any bids

According to Sky Sports in Germany, Hoffenheim have shown interest in bringing Jander back to his native country, with Bundesliga rivals Stuttgart and RB Leipzig, as well as Dutch side Ajax, set to battle with Christian Ilzer's side for his signature.

The report states that Southampton have slapped a price tag of between £17.4 and £21.8 million on the 22-year-old, but even if the Saints have the opportunity to double the fee they spent on Jander in the first place, they may be wise to think again.

Jander has had to do a lot of heavy lifting in the engine room at St Mary's this season, and he's more than stepped up to the plate in his first season in the Championship.

Per Fotmob, he's consistently in the top 25% of defensive midfielders in the second tier across attacking, defensive and possession stats, outlining his plethora of skills across the park.

Certain players have come in and out of the side since Tonda Eckert replaced Will Still, but not Jander, who has been the main constant in the midfield pivot, keeping the likes of Shea Charles and Flynn Downes, two top players for the level, out of the side at times.

It's clear why Southampton would want upwards of £20 million to sanction a departure, but even if it comes, they should still stand firm and do everything in their power to ensure that Jander remains at St Mary's for the foreseeable future.

The 22-year-old has clear top-flight potential, and given how naturally he's adapted to the Championship, he could be exactly what Southampton need to make a successful Premier League transition if promotion does come.

Southampton may need Premier League status to convince Caspar Jander to stay

Unfortunately, though, with the types of clubs reportedly interested in Jander, you couldn't blame the midfielder for perhaps showing some interest in departing.

Hoffenheim, the main club credited with a possible pursuit for the 22-year-old, are currently sitting in the Champions League spots in the Bundesliga, as are Stuttgart, while Ajax are always expected to be in UEFA's primary competition, and Leipzig is knocking on the door in the Europa League spots.

These aren't just regular mid-table top-flight sides, they're ones with eyes on competing in the biggest European competition, something that you wouldn't put past Jander for wanting to be a part of.

However, perhaps the lure of the Premier League could be greater, and with Southampton on a roll and banging on the door of a place in the Championship's top six, Jander could be able to test himself in the top-flight in England next season.

Ultimately, this just puts more onus on Tonda Eckert's side to continue their good form and secure a play-off place come May 2, before then putting together a run akin to two years ago to return to the Premier League.

Then, with their top-flight status regained and with three years remaining on Jander's contract, the cards will be in their hands. Even if offers north of £20 million come in for the 22-year-old, they'd be in a better position to reject them - a stance they should be ready to adopt.