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Southampton: Saints eyeing move for Lille Full-Back Malcuit

By Marc Walker

FARO, PORTUGAL - JULY 20: LOSC Lille defender Kevin Malcuit from France during the match between FC Porto v LOSC Lille for Algarve Football Cup 2018 at Estadio do Algarve on July 20, 2018 in Faro, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)
FARO, PORTUGAL - JULY 20: LOSC Lille defender Kevin Malcuit from France during the match between FC Porto v LOSC Lille for Algarve Football Cup 2018 at Estadio do Algarve on July 20, 2018 in Faro, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images) /
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Southampton are said to be eyeing up a move for Lille Full-Back Kevin Malcuit as they look to make more signings ahead of next Thursday’s transfer deadline.

According to well respected journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, both Napoli and Southampton are interested in the player but Saints are willing to pay more at this stage.

27-year-old Malcuit has been with Lille for one season after joining for around £8m from St Etienne last summer.

He has made 58 appearances in Ligue 1 and made nine goal assists for his teammates in his three years in the French top-flight.

If a move from Saints does materialise, it will produce some questions about the future of current Right-Back Cedric. Although Mark Hughes’ squad could require a second-choice, Malcuit may be considered too good to sit on the bench for the majority of a season.

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BERGAMO, ITALY – JULY 26: Kevin Malcuit of LOSC Lille (L) is challenged by Alejandro Dario Gomez of Atalanta BC during the pre-season friendly match between Atalanta BC and LOSC Lille at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on July 26, 2017 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)
BERGAMO, ITALY – JULY 26: Kevin Malcuit of LOSC Lille (L) is challenged by Alejandro Dario Gomez of Atalanta BC during the pre-season friendly match between Atalanta BC and LOSC Lille at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on July 26, 2017 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images) /

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The Frenchman would definitely suit the preferred 3-4-2-1 system of Mark Hughes though. He has played as a Right-Winger, Right Midfielder and orthodox Full-Back in his career so far and shown the potential he has to play the Right Wing-Back role.

Saints has both Cedric and Jeremy Pied to cover this position during last season, but Pied was released following the conclusion of his contract at the beginning of the summer.

In pre-season, the team have been without Cedric following his World Cup exploits and extended leave, and a number of other players have been tried in his position.

Each of Harrison Reed, James Ward-Prowse, Sam McQueen and Matt Targett have performed relatively well there, with Targett even weighing in with two second-half assists in the 3-2 win over Celta Vigo on Wednesday.

Another area of the team that Saints could look at adding to is the options at striker. Charlie Austin, Manolo Gabbiadini, Shane Long and Sam Gallagher could do with some competition, and a new signing here could potentially play on the wing too.

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