Southampton: Saints make contact with promising forward from France

Southampton have reportedly been in contact with the entourage of young France striker Randal Kolo Muani ahead of the summer transfer window.

According to a report from Foot Mercato, Saints have joined numerous clubs from around Europe in adding the 22-year-old to their transfer shortlist.

2020/21 has been Kolo Muani’s breakout season and he has proven to be a bright spark in an otherwise poor year for Nantes in France, who have two games left to save themselves from relegation.

So far, the France Under-21 international has eight goals and nine assists in 36 games across all competitions this season.

Southampton face European competition

Via the report quoted here, Eintracht Frankfurt, RB Leipzig, Club Brugge, Freiburg  and Watford are also tracking the bright prospect’s progress.

However, it is notable that Saints are said to have upped their pursuit in recent weeks by contacting Kolo Muani’s representatives.

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This move actually looks quite promising if the links are to be proven true. At just 22, the player will not be expected to come straight in as a leading striker in the Premier League but will instead be a work in progress in the mould of Moussa Djenepo.

Signings for Saints this summer will surely remain youthful because the club want their investments to provide profit in the future. There is no point in bringing in a player towards the end of their career, unless they have a connection with the club like Theo Walcott and can provide value off the field for the next generation.

What Saints may look to take advantage of this season is the need for funds in the French top-flight at the moment. The TV rights deal for Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 collapsed in December after consecutive payments were not made to clubs, and this could mean some talented gems being put up for sale.

With an impressive record and good physical attributes, Kolo Muani may be one that Saints pursue this summer.