Southampton learn of fee to sign transfer target Randal Kolo Muani
By Marc Walker
Southampton have learned of the transfer fee that they will have to pay to sign reported transfer target Randal Kolo Muani this summer.
According to a report from le10sport.com, Nantes will sell the young Frenchman for around £8.5m, or €10m, during this transfer window – a very respectable fee given that the player has plenty of potential.
During the 2020/21 season, Kolo Muani became a real attacking threat in Ligue 1 and was one of the only shining lights in an otherwise tough season for Nantes. Saints were linked with him back in May.
In all, he scored 10 goals and provided a further nine assists in all competitions, with one of his goals proving crucial in his side’s relegation play-off – won on away goals – last month.
Southampton may need to act quickly to get Kolo Muani
Via the same le10sport.com report, we learn that Nantes have already received a transfer offer for their star. Eintracht Frankfurt have been leading the race to sign Kolo Muani and it is fair to suggest that they may have made this first move.
Germany is also said to be the player’s ideal destination, and Frankfurt may well be looking for a new striker if hotshot Andre Silva moves on after plundering 29 goals during last season.
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Saints may still be in this race as outsiders though and Kolo Muani would certainly be the type of player they are looking for.
At just 22-year-old, he has proven himself to be a real goalscoring threat and has a full season of senior football under his belt in the French top-flight. In many ways, he can only get better too and Saints could be the club to help him reach his full potential.
Development will also see his value increase exponentially and a £8.5m transfer could be seen as superb business eventually.
Saints’ striker situation will need some work this summer. Danny Ings is constantly being linked with moves away, Shane Long may move on permanently and others like Michael Obafemi may need loan moves for first-team football.
A forward will surely arrive at St Mary’s this summer but the club may need to nip in quickly to the front of the queue if Kolo Muani is their man.