da dobrowin： According to L’Equipe (via Pink Un), Southampton are interested in Metz defender Boubakar Kouyate.
Saints eye Kouyate
da betsson： It appears that the Saints are already planning ahead and they are said to be interested in the Mai centre-half prior to the summer transfer window.
They are not the only team eyeing him, though, with Norwich City, as well as Champions League-chasing Serie A duo AS Roma and Atalanta also said to be in pursuit. He is rated at £4.5m by Transfermarkt.
Bargain
So far this season, Kouyate has made 22 appearances in Ligue 1 for Metz. They have been one of the best teams in France from a defensive point of view, with only four sides shipping fewer goals than them (Sky Sports). The 24-year-old also has six caps for his country as his stock has risen.
Ralph Hasenhuttl recently said the Saints will be looking to sign players for £10m or less as they cannot afford to go higher – as such, Kouyate could come as a bargain.
It has been a difficult campaign for Southampton – they have conceded 58 goals in the Premier League, nine of which came in one game against Manchester United, meaning they have the second-worst defence in the top flight. The signing of Kouyate could provide the Saints’ backline with a welcome boost.
In other news, many Southampton fans slam these Hasenhuttl comments.