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Three Ligue 1 centre-backs Southampton should sign

By Chris Hughes

BURNLEY, ENGLAND - JANUARY 14: Virgil van Dijk of Southampton arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Burnley and Southampton at Turf Moor on January 14, 2017 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
BURNLEY, ENGLAND - JANUARY 14: Virgil van Dijk of Southampton arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Burnley and Southampton at Turf Moor on January 14, 2017 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /
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LYON, FRANCE – APRIL 13: Emanuel Mammana of Olympique Lyonnais gestures during the UEFA Europa League first leg quarter final football match between Olympique Lyonnais and Besiktas JK at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais Stadium in Decines-Charpieu district of Lyon, France on April 13, 2017. (Photo by Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
LYON, FRANCE – APRIL 13: Emanuel Mammana of Olympique Lyonnais gestures during the UEFA Europa League first leg quarter final football match between Olympique Lyonnais and Besiktas JK at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais Stadium in Decines-Charpieu district of Lyon, France on April 13, 2017. (Photo by Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) /

Emanuel Mammana

The Argentinian defender is one of many young talents among Lyon’s ranks, and he’s gone under the radar due to the form of Alexander Lacazette, Memphis Depay and Clorentin Tolisso.

With Nicolas Nkoulou failing to make his mark since joining from rivals Marseille, Mammana has made the centre-back spot his own alongside former Newcastle man Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa.

From 16 league appearances this season the 21-year-old has completed over 91 percent of his attempted passes, as well as winning around 2.3 aerial duels a game too.

The youngster only moved to France from his native country last summer, but that shouldn’t put Southampton off of making a move for the Argentinian.

Mammana’s 53 average pass attempts per game is more than any Saints player has recorded this campaign, whilst his long ball stats are comparable to Virgil van Dijk’s.

His tender age gives him plenty of room to grow too, making him a solid option for Puel to explore.