According to quotes attributed to his agent, Saint's Brazillian central defender Lyanco is looking to leave St Mary's, after failing to get a regular spot in the line up, since joining in August 2021.

Lyanco is not unhappy at Southampton, but is concerned about his lack of game time, although he has started both of Saints League cup ties this season, he has managed just two starts in the League, plus another 5 games off the bench, to put that in perspective, Jan Bednarek who left nearly 3 months ago has started just 1 game less for Saints this season.

In fact he is getting less game time than last season when he started 9 League games plus another 6 off the bench and that included two months out injured.

According to Brazilian Journalist Jorge Nicola, Lyanco is now looking for a return to Brazil and his agent has already with Brazillan clubs Botafogo and Vasco da Gama.

It appears that Lyanco's Father is also his agent and according to Nicola, he has spoken to him about the situation.

“I spoke with him about some clubs, Including Vasco. (Lyanco) told me that he seems to have a good project for next year. And to look at (a move back to Brazil) with very good eyes. "

This seems to lose a little in translation, but it seems that Lyanco is concerned that he is now 4th choice centre half at St Mary's and is looking for a move back to Brazil, this is not necessarily in this transfer window, as you can imagine for a player who has become a cult hero at St Mary's, he is going to see the season out and fight for his place, but ultimately he is not going to be happy playing so few games, especially if some of them are out of position as has been the case.

Photo: Action Images

TimSaint added 13:42 - Nov 16 You would expect a statement something along the lines of New Manager, New Start, New Opportunity to impress, but no. If he is being honest, he should look at his performances and ask why he is currently 4th Choice. His game is built on hard tackling, last gasp interceptions, trying the flicks, doing these overhead kicks etc, so he is going to look good at times (hence the 'cult status'), but when it goes wrong and it often does, he has to be prepared to look stupid, or rely on his team mates to bail him out. He really isn't good enough. I think he is a bit of a liability, an accident waiting to happen and the longer he plays, the more likely he is to make a crucial error. From this perspective, he is a bit like Stephens and Bednarek. We obviously saw enough in him to offer a 4 year contract, so perhaps he should be a bit more loyal to us, considering he has only been with us for 15 months. If he really wants to go, then let him. He is only good enough to be on the bench at best. Then it will be the same old needs as it is in every transfer window: A defender and a striker.

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WestSussexSaint added 14:05 - Nov 16 I think this is agent talk directed very much at our new manager in the vein of “use me or lose me” It remains to be seen how Nathan Jones responds to this. This style of player “interaction” is probably not something he had to deal too much with at Luton.
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SonicBoom added 14:40 - Nov 16 Agree with Tim. The reason you are a "cult hero" is usually because you are not good enough to be there purely on merit.
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jameslastfan added 15:34 - Nov 16 Would rather watch Lyanco for 10 minutes than 90 minutes of mediocrity by our non cult players. Lyanco is not the problem.
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Jesus_02 added 17:15 - Nov 16 Just not as good as Bella or Salisu, with Caleta-Car seeming to improve I can see why he saying what he is. Think he is a decent utility player but if he heart is set on centre half he needs to move on and make way for a development player.
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Colburn added 18:06 - Nov 16 He has developed a bit of a cult status because of the raw passion and aggression he has shown when playing, along with the character he shows off the pitch. It's unfair to judge him when he's never had a decent run in the team to progress. I actually think he's suited to play a holding midfield role and may have done a better job than Diallo, who looks better as a no. 8. Either way, I don't think it's fair to criticise his performances, he's done ok all things considered and I wish every player showed his level of hunger and drive on the pitch.

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underweststand added 15:14 - Nov 17 Difficult being 4th choice, but the club is glad he's there when we get sudden injuries in the back line. ABK and Salisu are the natural first-choice starters and Caleta-Car would probably get on this pitch before Lyanco could tie up his boots. There is also the prospect of Bednarek and Stephens returning at the end of the season, which would heighten the competition although I think they might both be gone by then. Lyanco has certainly developed a cult-following, and brought some degree of adventure into the game with memories of Bill Shankly's "alehouse - footballers" reminding us that he clearly " doesn't take prisoners ", but has thankfully managed to stay on the pitch to the end of games. He's hardly like to break Romeu's yellow card record, but in all honesty he might also pick up a few red cards of his own along the way. His agent wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't kick up a little dust on behalf of his client, but likeable as many of us think he is, he is a bit of "a loose cannon" and whilst we continue playing a formation with just 2 CB's ..." he ain't gonna be one of them". If he does stay, he will certainly get game time, but rarely as a starter.

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Block8 added 17:59 - Nov 17 Tend to agree with Colburn, he probably needs games to prove his worth but he is a risk as he plays with his heart and not his head. Defensive midfield would certainly be less of a risk in terms of the way he plays but would he remain on the pitch for 90 minutes?
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