Report: Southampton asked about £20m PL man before agreeing £13.6m deal instead

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Southampton made an enquiry for Liverpool’s Marko Grujic before agreeing a deal to sign Ibrahima Diallo from Ligue 1 outfit Brest instead, according to The Daily Mail.

The Saints have left it late but, with just a handful of days left before the transfer window closes, the South Coast club are finally on the verge of signing Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s replacement.

After missing out on Weston McKennie to Juventus and seeing deals for Idrissa Doumbia and Ibrahim Sangare scuppered due to work permit problems, Southampton have turned to a man labelled the ‘new N’Golo Kante’ across the channel.

As you might imagine given those comparisons, Diallo is at his best when snapping into challenges and starting attacks with his piercing passes – a la Hojbjerg, perhaps.

The Mail claims a £13.6 million bid has been accepted by a Brest side who made it clear early on in the window they were open to offers.

What this means for Grujic, however, remains to be seen.

The Serbian playmaker was the subject of an inquiry from the Saints but, perhaps put off by his £20 million price tag, turned to Diallo instead.

Grujic has failed to make the matchday squad for any of Liverpool’s three Premier League games this season and looks set to miss out on a return to a Hertha Berlin side he represented with distinction during two loan spells in the German capital.

Hertha are prioritising a £23 million deal for Lyon’s ex-Arsenal youngster Jeff Reine-Adelaide instead (Kicker).