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Southampton: Saints linked with Lyon’s Mouctar Diakhaby

By Marc Walker

LYON, FRANCE - NOVEMBER 02: Mouctar Diakhaby of Lyon attempts to get away from Gylfi Sigurdsson of Everton during the UEFA Europa League group E match between Olympique Lyon and Everton FC at Stade de Lyon on November 2, 2017 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
LYON, FRANCE - NOVEMBER 02: Mouctar Diakhaby of Lyon attempts to get away from Gylfi Sigurdsson of Everton during the UEFA Europa League group E match between Olympique Lyon and Everton FC at Stade de Lyon on November 2, 2017 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) /
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Southampton have today been linked with a summer move for Lyon Centre-Back Mouctar Diakhaby.

According to French news outlet L’Equipe, the 21-year-old could be on the move during this transfer window and may come in to plug a recently leaky Southampton defence.

It is thought that the Saints would have a battle on their hands to sign the youngster though with Valencia also interested in his services. The Spanish club would also be able to offer Champions League football after finishing fourth in La Liga this term.

Diakhaby is highly thought of in his homeland and has played eight times for France’s u21s at international level; a decent feat considering the range of talent they currently have to choose from at that age and senior age too.

In 2017/18, he made 21 appearances for Lyon and this included two full games against Southampton’s Premier League rivals Everton in the Europa League. He also showed potential as a defensive midfielder in the clash with Apollon Limassol in the same competition.

Next: Southampton youngster Olomola joins Scunthorpe United

TURIN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 02: Gonzalo Higuain (R) of Juventus is challenged by Mouctar Diakhaby of Olympique Lyonnais during the UEFA Champions League Group H match between Juventus and Olympique Lyonnais at Juventus Stadium on November 2, 2016 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 02: Gonzalo Higuain (R) of Juventus is challenged by Mouctar Diakhaby of Olympique Lyonnais during the UEFA Champions League Group H match between Juventus and Olympique Lyonnais at Juventus Stadium on November 2, 2016 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images) /

His time at Lyon has provided him with some top level experience very early on in his career. He has Champions League experience under his belt and has faced a high calibre of player as a result.

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He can be a threat in the opposition’s box too and chipped in with two goals in the last campaign; once as a midfielder against Limassol and once in Ligue 1 against Angers.

Southampton are not the first club to register an interest in Diakhaby either, with Manchester City, Chelsea and Everton all rumoured to be impressed by his ability in the past year.

According to whoscored.com, the defender also posted some promising statistics last season. 1.4 interceptions and 4.6 clearances per game hint at his positioning being his strong point when defending, meaning he isn’t forced into tackles all the time.

A pass success rate of 88.3% across his appearances perhaps shows his confidence with the ball at his feet too; something that will be desired at St Mary’s to fill the gap left by Virgil van Dijk.

The Saints will be in the market for a Centre-Back with options in the position being stretched to the limit at the end of 2017/18 after injuries and suspensions, and Diakhaby could well be the man to come in.

He also fits in with Southampton’s transfer strategy of buying young players with great potential at a low price and giving them a platform to blossom in the Premier League.

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