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Southampton: Saints still shopping Forster and Boufal

By Chris Hughes

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Sofiane Boufal of Southampton takes a look around the pitch prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Southampton at St. James Park on March 10, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Sofiane Boufal of Southampton takes a look around the pitch prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Southampton at St. James Park on March 10, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images) /
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After what has seemed like little-to-no interest in the first couple of months of the transfer window, Southampton are reportedly still keen on loaning out Sofiane Boufal and Fraser Forster.

According to the Daily Echo, the Saints are still very much in the market to move the two players on, after disappointing 2017/18 seasons for the duo.

By signing Angus Gunn and Mohamed Elyounoussi, both Forster and Boufal became redundant at St. Mary’s, but their stock seems too low to be able to sell them for a decent price.

Forster became the most expensive British goalkeeper of all time when the Saints brought him in from Celtic in 2014, a mantle that has since been passed onto Jordan Pickford for nearly three times Forster’s £10 million price tag.

Boufal meanwhile was the club’s record signing for a period of time, after arriving from Lille for around £16 million in the summer of 2016.

Next: Leeds fail in bid for Forster

SWANSEA, WALES – MAY 08: Fraser Forster of Southampton warms up during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Southampton at Liberty Stadium on May 8, 2018 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
SWANSEA, WALES – MAY 08: Fraser Forster of Southampton warms up during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Southampton at Liberty Stadium on May 8, 2018 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /

However even in today’s market the Saints are unlikely to recoup their outlay for the two players, with their pair enjoying particularly tough campaigns in the year that has just passed.

Forster lost his place to Alex McCarthy just before the turn of the year, having put in some of his worst displays in Southampton colours since returning from his long-term injury. The goalie has looked totally void of confidence, something which was still apparent in the pre-season game against Schalke.

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Boufal meanwhile simply hasn’t clicked with any Southampton managers. Mauricio Pellegrino’s decision to regularly rotate the Moroccan didn’t go down well with the latter, whilst his attitude appeared to clash with new boss Mark Hughes.

The 24-year-old has shown some real glimpses of talent since joining two years ago, but unfortunately hasn’t done it regularly enough and it seems he needs a fresh start with a manager who will put his arm round him more.

As a result, it seems like the smartest move for the pair is a temporary move away, much like the Saints have done with Guido Carrillo.

It’d be hard for the trio to enjoy worse campaigns than they just have, whereas a good year this time around could see their stock rise once again, and get the club a better deal next summer.

Whilst some supporters will always claim that the club has enough money and shouldn’t care about profit margins, that sadly won’t ever really be the case. The Saints will want to recoup that £26 million spent on Forster and Boufal as well as the £19 million on Carrillo, and therefore will continue to shop for a loan for the first two right up to deadline day.