Southampton could have finished their summer business after reportedly missing out on Lille’s Ligue 1 right-back Kevin Malcuit.
Southampton have one of the best right-backs outside the Premier League’s top six in Portugal international Cedric Soares. But that does not mean Mark Hughes will overlook adding more options on the right side of his defence, particularly after the departure of back-up Jeremy Pied.
The Mirror (live blog, 10.30pm) reports that Southampton were interested in the Lille full-back Kevin Malcuit. And it is reported that they were even willing to pay £18 million, which would have made him the joint-second most expensive player in their history behind January flop Guido Carrillo.
But Malcuit appears to be on his way to Serie A instead.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio on Monday morning, the Frenchman has arrived in Naples and is set to undergo a medical before signing a contract with the 2017/18 runners-up.
27-year-old Malcuit assisted six goals in just 21 starts for a struggling Lille side last season, having moved to Les Dogues from St Etienne. He will fight with Elseid Hysaj for a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s starting XI.
Southampton have already signed Jannik Vestergaard, Mohamed Elyounoussi, Angus Gunn and Stuart Armstrong for over £50 million and Hughes has admitted that their business might be finished for the summer.
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