Armel Bella-Kotchap and Sekou Mara could now be set to stay at Southampton with proposed moves to the Bundesliga seemingly hitting the buffers.
After losing James Ward-Prowse, Tino Livramento, Nathan Tella and Romeo Lavia – and with Kamaldeen Sulemana and Che Adams potentially on their way out the door on deadline day – reports suggesting that two of the Saints’ most talented young players could stick around will come as a very welcome boost after a summer of tear-stained goodbyes.
According to The Athletic, Sekou Mara will stay put after Southampton opted against accepting a loan bid from Werder Bremen. Mara, an £11 million signing from Bordeaux in 2022, will have an opportunity to impress under Southampton boss Russell Martin, even if Ross Stewart completes a potential £10 million move from Sunderland.
Southampton and Borussia Dortmund deal falls through
Bella-Kotchap, meanwhile, appears to have seen his move to Borussia Dortmund collapse on deadline day.
“Confirmed again; Bella-Kotchap to BVB is off now!” Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg writes on Twitter. “The asking price (and terms of the deal) are too expensive for BVB.
“It’s decided.”
A £10 million signing from Bochum, Bella-Kotchap was a rare bright sparks in a dismal 2022/23 campaign for Southampton. Missing out on a move to one of the Bundesliga’s biggest clubs, however, is likely to cost Bella-Kotchap a place in the Germany squad for next summer’s European Championships on home soil.
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