Southampton CEO Martin Semmens has provided an update regarding Mohammed Salisu’s potential switch from Real Valladolid.

Earlier this week, reports went rife in the local media that the 21-year-old central defender has signed a four-year contract after the Saints met his £10.9million release clause.

Semmens has reacted to the rumors and believes the English Premier League side are very close to sealing the deal.

“Most of the stuff you see on social media isn’t always true,” he told BBC Radio Solent.

“This one probably has a bit more truth to it. It has been very clearly documented, to my surprise, exactly what has been happening.

“He is a player we have looked at for a long time, a really high quality young player in Europe who would really add something to our squad.

“We are in a process and we hope that we are lucky enough to get him.

“We are very aware that some of the biggest and best clubs in Europe have looked for him.

“We offer him something different, which is a pathway to get better, physically and technically playing in the first team in the Premier League.

“We hope that opportunity and the pathway we have shown for other players will attract him here, but we’ll know more soon.

“It would be truthful to say that we have had that discussion. These things are complicated, but it is fair to say to everyone that he is one we are looking very closely at.”

Salisu joined Valladolid’s youth setup in 2017 and has made 34 first-team appearances.