Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaounde, Cameroon - January 10, 2022. Morocco's Achraf Hakimi and Samy Mmaee in action with Ghana's Kamaldeen Sulemana.
Southampton have made an improved offer to sign Rennes winger Kamaldeen Sulemana, and the Ligue 1 club are tempted to accept, according to reports.
The Lowdown: Southampton making moves…
Nathan Jones is tasked with keeping the Saints in the top flight as relegation to the Championship becomes a serious threat. Southampton are currently bottom of the league with just one win in their last nine matches, highlighting the need for further reinforcements as the Premier League strugglers reportedly make offers.
The south coast club have apparently launched bids for the likes of Lecce midfielder Morten Hjulmand in recent days, and according to reports out of Africa, he isn’t the only player of interest to Jones and co.
The Latest: Southampton make improved Sulemana offer…
Ghana Soccer Net reported that, after having another €17m (£15m) bid for Sulemana rejected recently, Southampton have come back with an improved €20m (£17.5m) offer for the player.
It’s added that Rennes are now ‘tempted to accept’ their latest approach, given that the Ligue 1 club have snapped up Karl Toko Ekambi from Lyon.
The Verdict: Get it d0ne…
If Jones wants to add a direct attacking gem to his forward line, not to mention more raw youthfulness, look no further than Sulemana. The 20-year-old has averaged Rennes’ third-highest rate of successful take-ons per 90 in the French top flight this season, drawing particular acclaim for his ability in one-v-one situations.
Members of the Ghanaian press, such as Pulse and World Soccer writer Emmanuel Ayamga, have called Sulemana a ‘beast‘ in this regard, and Southampton could use a player of that ilk to improve their potency in attack.
Only Everton, Wolves and Nottingham Forest have scored fewer Premier League goals than the Saints this season, with Jones arguably in need of greater attacking threats over the next few months.
Sulemana appears to fit the bill and would also tie in with Southampton’s transfer strategy of buying young players with huge potential.
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