---
title: "Southampton: Saints eye Boubakar Kouyate"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/southampton-saints-ralph-hasenhuttl-boubakar-kouyate-norwich-city-as-roma-atalanta/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "jonathan radcliffe"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2021-04-24T11:40:26Z"
modified: "2021-04-24T11:40:26Z"
---

# Southampton: Saints eye Boubakar Kouyate

**According to L’Equipe (via [Pink Un](https://www.pinkun.com/sport/norwich-city/canaries-transfer-rumours-metz-boubakar-kouyate-7922066)), Southampton are interested in Metz defender Boubakar Kouyate.**

### **Saints eye Kouyate**

It appears that the Saints are already planning ahead and they are said to be interested in the Mai centre-half prior to the summer transfer window.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”338761″\]

They are not the only team eyeing him, though, with Norwich City, as well as [Champions League-chasing](https://www.skysports.com/serie-a-table) Serie A duo AS Roma and Atalanta also said to be in pursuit. He is rated at £4.5m by [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kiki-kouyate/marktwertverlauf/spieler/211637).

### **Bargain**

So far this season, Kouyate has made [22](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kiki-kouyate/leistungsdaten/spieler/211637) appearances in Ligue 1 for Metz. They have been one of the best teams in France from a defensive point of view, with only four sides shipping fewer goals than them ([Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/ligue-1-table)). The 24-year-old also has [six caps](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kiki-kouyate/nationalmannschaft/spieler/211637/verein_id/3674) for his country as his stock has risen.

\[freshpress-poll id=”354751″\]

Ralph Hasenhuttl recently said the Saints will be looking to sign players for [£10m or less](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11700/12272114/ralph-hasenhuttl-southampton-must-be-smart-in-next-transfer-window-amid-post-brexit-market) as they cannot afford to go higher – as such, Kouyate could come as a bargain.

It has been a difficult campaign for Southampton – they have conceded [58](https://www.skysports.com/premier-league-table) goals in the Premier League, nine of which came in one game against Manchester United, meaning they have the [second-worst defence](https://www.skysports.com/premier-league-table) in the top flight. The signing of Kouyate could provide the Saints’ backline with a welcome boost.

***In other news, [many Southampton fans slam these Hasenhuttl comments.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/southampton-fc-news/southampton-saints-ralph-hasenhuttl-tottenham-premier-league/)***