A FORMER Premier League ace is set to undergo heart surgery just weeks after failing a medical with Roma.
Ex-Southampton loanee Kevin Danso saw his move to the Italian giants break down over the summer.
Danso, 26, currently plays for RC Lens in France’s Ligue 1.
The Austrian centre-back made his name at Augsburg and joined up with the Saints in 2019.
He made just 8 appearances on the South Coast but has since helped propel Lens into the Champions League.
The club were approached by Roma in August, with Danso set on a £21million switch to Italy.
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Danso was left “surprised” and “disappointed” after his medical revealed a cardiac issue.
He wrote in a statement: “I am very surprised by the supposed reason for the collapsed transfer.
“Both the doctors of the Austrian Football Association and the medical department of RC Lens have closely monitored me and regularly examined me over the past years.
“Most recently, I was thoroughly assessed at the start of pre-season training in Lens and no irregularities were ever found.”
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According to Austrian outlet Kronen Zeitung, Danso is set to undergo minor heart surgery after meeting with specialists in London.
The report claims the procedure will help to resolve “a harmless scar on his heart”.
Danso has not played for Lens so far this season but could return as soon as October.
The Austrian international is touted for big things after a breakthrough season in 2021.
Former England defender Rio Ferdinand urged Man Utd to swoop for Danso last year to help address their centre-back issues.
Ferdinand told the Manchester Evening News: “The boy at Lens, there’s one there, he’s good.”
Lens are managed by former Reims boss Will Still.
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The Englishman – who famously honed his skills on video game Football Manager – took over in the summer.
Lens are currently unbeaten in Ligue 1, sitting in 4th place after two wins and three draws to start the season.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
