Southampton: Saints secure first summer signing on four-year contract

Southampton look to have pulled off a real coup by securing the signing of young centre-back Mohammed Salisu on a four-year contract.

According to a report from Spanish news outlet AS, the deal to take the Ghanaian from Real Valldolid to St Mary’s is all but confirmed after a fee 12 million euros was agreed.

Defence is certainly a key area where Saints want to strengthen and they have bee linked with a number of highly-rated young centre-backs.

Now it seems like they have have made their choice though and have gone for Salisu – who AS describe as one of the most valued players in the Spanish La Liga.

Their report also states that heavy interest was seen from both Rennes and even Atletico Madrid but Saints look to have fought off competitors to sign a real prospect.

This move does seem to be one that could hint at scenarios that Saints have seen in the past.

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Their ability to give players a platform to play at the highest domestic level exposes them to more established clubs than Saints and this normally ends in a big money transfer.

This suits the player and Saints as a club, even though it might just appear as the best players being sold all the time.

Big profit can be made on players like Salisu. His fee of 12 million euros could seem like a real bargain if he develops well on the South Coast and is they worth three times that in two or three years.

This generates extra funds to reinvest and continue the process of building a team that can compete in the Premier League.

Salisu and his entourage will know that signing for Saints helps them promote their player hugely and provides the next step in his career. With a manager like Ralph Hasenhuttl who invests so much in youth too, this could be a real marriage made in heaven.

Right now it is time to look at what the 21-year-old will bring to the team whilst he is here though. His dominant performances and physical nature are just what is needed in Saints’ backline, whilst quality competition will only drive his teammates onto better levels themselves.