Southampton fans have been reacting on social media to a possible departure at St Mary’s.
However, Celta Vigo will not pay the €16million (£14.34 million) option to buy fee in Sofiane Boufal’s loan deal according to a report in Spain. Atlantico has claimed the club are interested in signing the midfielder, but they value him at €8 million (£7.17 million). The report also claims the player is keen on making the permanent switch.
The Moroccan joined Saints for £16.83 million from French side Lille three years ago and whilst on loan, he scored three goals and provided four assists in last season’s La Liga campaign. The midfielder has two years remaining on his Saints contract if the option to buy is not taken up by the Spanish club.
Transfers at the club have been slow so far, with just one new arrival confirmed, Moussa Djenepo. However, now the boardroom shake-up has been completed, the hierarchy can now push forward in the transfer window.
Supporters offered a mixed response to the news, with some believing Boufal should be given a chance in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team, whilst others think he should be sold, even if it means taking a loss on the 25-year-old. He is now valued by Transfermarkt at £10.8 million.
Having bought Sofiane for £16m in 2016, selling him for €8m, which roughly equates to £7.1m would mean a £8.9m loss.
For that sizeable hit, I would want Southampton to at least take the chance on seeing what Hasenhuttl can do with him! #Saintsfc https://t.co/IfdjFPQmL9
— SaintsNews&Views (@SaintsfcViews) June 25, 2019
Yep agree. Let Ralph work his magic! If not flog him next season. Worth the risk I think as he clearly has the skill.
— King Creole (@Jimmystockdale) June 25, 2019
Get rid and take the hit
— Spencer Houghton (@SpencerHoughts) June 25, 2019
The ‘loss’ would roughly equate to 60% of his fee, 3 years into a 5 year contract. From a business point of view, breaking even. Would bite Vigo’s hand off.
— Jon Baker (@VectisSaint) June 25, 2019
That would only depend if the players heart is with it & he wants to stay then yeah let’s see what he can do
— Lee D ???????????????????????????? (@LBDaveyBoy) June 25, 2019
But he doesn’t want to be here so get rid and at least pull some money in. Sadly we have done some bad business.
— Stuart Hack (@HackStuart) June 25, 2019
Gotta be worth a punt if we only get £8 million
— Aptitude Images (@stuart_blight) June 25, 2019
Clearly he wants out
— mark talbot (@TheMarkTalbot) June 26, 2019