Reported Southampton target Hugo Mallo wanted to leave Celta Vigo during the summer transfer window, manager Oscar Garcia has told Sports Finding.
The Saints may have turned Kyle Walker-Peters’ loan spell into a £12 million permanent transfer but it was no secret Ralph Hasenhuttl wanted another right-back at St Mary’s before the transfer deadline.
Matty Cash, Rick Karsdorp and Deyovaisio Zeefuik either stayed at their clubs or moved elsewhere, however, leaving the erratic Yan Valery as Southampton’s first-choice back-up.
In August, El Desmarque reported the South Coast club was keen on Mallo too.
But despite pushing for an exit the long-serving skipper, who joined Celta’s youth team in 1999, eventually stayed put.
“Yes, the club told me he wanted to leave if an offer for him came,” explains former Brighton coach Garcia.
“I did not intervene in this matter. It was something between the club and the player.”
Mallo’s side of the story may be a little different, of course.
The Spaniard’s agent, Quique de Lucas, claims Garcia’s words were only “half truths”.
Then again, maybe he’s just trying to protect the relationship between Celta’s fans and a club legend who has made almost 400 appearances in a decade in baby blue.
Don’t be surprised, however, if Mallo brings that long association to an end in 2021.
Celta president Carlos Mourino has already admitted Mallo would be free to leave if he wanted to (El Desmarque).
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
