Hellas Verona have taken Southampton for mugs in shrewd deadline day signing

Southampton have agreed to sell Armel Bella-Kotchap to Hellas Verona this January. The move will see him leave the club midway through the season and head to Serie A as I Mastini opt to make the German international's loan move permanent. Today's news raises questions about timing and value because Sport Republic could have sold him for more if they had acted sooner.

Bella Kotchap is a German international who arrived at St Mary’s with a reputation. He was young, and he showed potential in both his physical attributes and his willingness to compete.

Since arriving at Hellas Verona, Bella-Kotchap has been in the 96th percentile for defensive contributions. This should place him among the most valuable players in Serie A. Today's sale of the German central defender for a reported €5m represents great value for the Italians.

Southampton prepared to lose €7m on high potential signing

Purchased from VfL Bochum for €12m, Southampton would have expected great quality and a decent attitude. They got neither.

Things did not work out as many expected. Injuries interrupted his progress, and he never consistently found the form that people hoped for.

At times, he struggled with decision-making and positioning, and he did not look settled. That made it harder for him to nail down a regular place in the starting lineup. When a player does not play regularly, his value usually drops because clubs buy players who are showing form now rather than the potential they have not yet proven.

Because of that inconsistency, Saints could have found a buyer at a higher price last season. There were rumours linking him to clubs in bigger leagues, and there was interest from sides willing to pay good fees for defenders with his profile.

Saints could have maximised transfer value in the summer

That was when Southampton could have maximised his value. They could have negotiated from a position of strength because he was playing more, and there was optimism about his development.

Now the situation is different. A January sale rarely brings the best price and mid-season moves often mean clubs pay less because players are not immediately available. Hellas Verona are signing him but the fee is modest compared to what he might have commanded a year ago. Southampton are getting something rather than nothing, but the club may look back and think they could have done better by selling earlier.

Southampton have sold players at times that felt surprising because the timing was odd and the market value was not fully realised. This feels like one of those moments. If Bella Kotchap was destined to move on, then a summer sale last year would have made more sense.

That was when his stock was higher and when clubs with bigger budgets were actively seeking defenders with his age and international experience.

Southampton may have raised close to £10million on the sale of two centre backs during this window, but neither sale represents good business.