Saints target Bednarek tipped to be a star

Former Southampton goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski has backed transfer target Jan Bednarek to become a big hit at St Mary’s as he closes in on a move to the Premier League.

The 21-year-old defender is reportedly close to joining the Saints for €6 million from Lech Poznan after flying in for a medical following Poland’s exit from the European U21 Championships.

He would become the most expensive export from the Polish league ever but faces a fight to become a Premier League regular – with Maya Yoshida and Dale Stephens the club’s first-choice centre-back pairing late last year, and Virgil van Dijk ready to return from injury.

But Van Dijk’s future is up in the air with Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City all reportedly keen to sign him this summer – despite Southampton’s reluctance to sell.

Bednarek could become a key player very quickly then, and Bialkowski, who played 42 times for the Saints between 2006-2012, is adamant his international teammate can become a success under new boss Mauricio Pellegrino.

“For me, Bednarek is second best defender in Polish league, behind Michal Pazdan [Legia Warsaw defender],” Bialkowski said.

“As a goalkeeper I’d like to play with player like him, because you can trust him and he’s also good in the air.”