Jannik Vestergaard has been left in limbo at Southampton under Ralph Hasenhuttl.
Hasenhuttl blocked Vestergaard joining Leicester in January, claiming he was still a key member of his squad.
But the Southampton boss has started the Danish international just once since the transfer window closed, even though he has been one of the club’s best defenders.
Vestergaard, 27, started 11 of Saints’ first 15 games compared to just three matches since November 9.
The centre-half, who cost £18million from Borussia Monchengladbach in July 2018, was open to offers in January if Hasenhuttl no longer wanted him and Werder Bremen were keen on him.
He was reluctant to return to Germany and was interested in Leicester when they made an approach.
Vestergaard considered a move to the King Power Stadium, only for Hasenhuttl to veto his exit, leaving him, Leicester and Southampton losers.
Vestergaard is still not playing, Leicester missed out on him and Saints are paying one of their top earners to sit on the bench while they fight relegation.
He said: “I heard about interest in the transfer window and that is always positive. But I won’t talk about it and I can’t comment on any clubs.
“I was told the manager wanted to keep me because he had confidence in me.”
Vestergaard’s 77.4 per cent pass completion rate is one of the best at Southampton and many cannot understand why Hasenhuttl continues to ignore him.
“The stats confirm what I feel myself, that I am doing well out there on the pitch when I play,’ he said.
“I am especially pleased with my pass percentage rate because I am seen as a ball-playing centre-half, who likes to play the ball out.”
