Report: Southampton identify Celta Vigo’s Pione Sisto as Boufal replacement

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Sofiane Boufal looks set to leave Premier League Southampton for a return to Ligue 1 and La Liga ace Sisto could succeed him at St Mary’s.

It seems that Sofiane Boufal is finished at Southampton as long as Mark Hughes is manager.

Barring a few moments of magic, the 24-year-old has never really managed to live up to lofty expectations or his ‘new Eden Hazard’ billing since arriving from Lille for £16 million in the summer of 2016, as reported by Sky Sports.

And Boufal has played just 23 minutes of football under Hughes, all coming in the 3-0 defeat at West Ham United which was the Welshman’s first Premier League game in charge after replacing Mauricio Pellegrino.

According to the Mail, Boufal has been forced to train with the U23s after a row with the former Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City manager. He has now told SFR that he would be tempted by a return to France and even name-checked Marseille as a potential destination.

Although, according to the Mail, Southampton already have a replacement in mind – Pione Sisto.

The Saints have been tracking the Danish winger since he was playing in his homeland with FC Midtjylland, having made an approach for him back in 2016 according to the Mirror.

And it seems that a move could be on the cards this summer. Sisto has thrived since moving to Celta Vigo two years ago, scoring five goals and setting up another nine in La Liga this season.

Sisto has a £36 million release clause but recent reports suggested that Celta could be willing to listen to offers of around half that fee.

In truth, however, Sisto is a gifted yet inconsistent talent like Boufal himself, so it remains to be seen whether he could be considered an upgrade.