Southampton are looking to beat favourites Tottenham to the signing of Fulham youngster Ryan Sessegnon.
Chris Gunter of Reading and Ryan Sessegnon of Fulham in action during the Sky Bet Championship match at the Madejski Stadium.
According to the Daily Mail, Tottenham Hotspur remain the favourites to win the race for the 17-year-old, but the Saints are hoping they can scupper the North Londoners’ chances.
Mauricio Pellegrino, manager of Southampton, looks on prior to the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur.
On the face of it it would seem Spurs are the obvious choice for Sessegnon, but is there any chance he could end up at St Mary’s?
Well to start with the Hampshire club do now have the financial resources to compete after agreeing the £75m sale of Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool and while not all of that will go back into the pot for new transfers, it will significantly help should a bidding war take place.
Also, from the Cottagers’ point-of-view selling Sessegnon to Southampton may prove more sensible because they are prepared to include fellow left-back Matt Targett in the deal – therefore giving them a readymade replacement.
Matt Targett of Southampton stretches to keep the ball in play during the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur.
The departure of Targett and expected exit of Ryan Bertrand to Manchester City in January could also appeal to the teenager himself as a starting XI place is more likely; unlike at Tottenham where they already have Ben Davies and Danny Rose in his position.
Spurs do still lead the race, but don’t yet think that Sessegnon’s next step is a foregone conclusion.
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