Southampton and Fulham miss out, ‘incredible’ player chooses £17m move

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Premier League duo Fulham and Southampton tried to sign Bayern Munich youngster Tanguy Nianzou before La Liga giants Sevilla completed a £17 million deal this week, as reported by BILD reporter Christian Falk. 

Nianzou only celebrated his 20^th birthday earlier this summer. 

But his CV already reads like a who’s who of European powerhouses; From Paris Saint-Germain to Bayern Munich, Bayern Munich to Sevilla. Julen Lopetegui’s side have confirmed Nianzou’s arrival in Andalusia, paying 20 million euros for the privilege.

The France U20 international, who has already won seven trophies in his short career including two Bundesliga titles and the 2020 Ligue 1 crown, should help fill a Jules Kounde-shaped void at the heart of Sevilla backline. 

And Sevilla’s track record when it comes to turning talent into greatness – see Kounde, Dani Alves, Ivan Rakitic and more – certainly bodes well for Nianzou on Spanish soil.

Sevilla beat Premier League clubs to Bayern Munich’s Tanguy Nianzou

“I expected such a performance from him. He’s great,” former PSG boss Thomas Tuchel said after a 17-year-old Nianzou shone in a Champions League match with Borussia Dortmund. 

“He has qualities and a great personality.”

“In terms of technique, physique and vision, it’s incredible what he does at his age,” adds one-time team-mate Isaac Hemans, via FootMercato.

“And then he is kind and humble. He’s not the type to get a big head. He listens a lot when we talk to him too. That’s why he progresses very quickly. He wants to learn.”

Whether Southampton and Fulham end up rueing their inability to lure Nianzou to St Mary’s or Craven Cottage, only time will tell. Falk, a German reporter with excellent connections at Bayern Munich, admits that both clubs wanted the 6ft 3ins central defender, who made 28 appearances in just two seasons at the Bundesliga champions.

Reports linking Southampton with defensive reinforcements have gone quiet now that Jan Bednarek is expected to stay put. There is still time left in the window, however. And The Saints have already conceded six goals in just two league games this season. 

Fulham, meanwhile, landed long-time target Issa Diop. Tim Ream will take some shifting, however, after a couple of stellar displays for the unbeaten Cottagers.