Report: Southampton close in on deal for ‘decisive’ star, Hasenhuttl has two hurdles left

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Southampton are closing in on the summer transfer of Stade Brest defender Romain Perraud, according to The Athletic.

The Saints have agreed to personal terms with the 23-year-old full-back and a fee with his Ligue 1 side. His move to St Mary’s will be finalised at the start of July once the new financial year has begun.

Ralph Hasenhuttl now faces two final hurdles in his quest to sign Perraud as Ryan Bertrand’s replacement. Firstly, waiting for the new financial year risks allowing a rival suitor to swoop in with a late offer.

But the key hurdle Southampton are still to overcome is in Perraud passing his medical. It is likely that a failed medical would be the only way that the defender does not complete a move to the south coast.

Southampton will have beaten significant Premier League interest to sign Perraud. Leeds, Newcastle and West Ham were paying close attention to his situation in France. Leeds were arguably the biggest threat for the highly-rated defender but recently cooled their interest.

Perraud is also understood to have informed Hasenhuttl that he wants to join Southampton from Brest this summer. The Saints boss met with the former France U21 international to discuss the move as his impression of potential targets is key to completing any transfers.

The Daily Mail have claimed the deal could be worth around £12m and will see him reunite with Ibrahima Diallo. He joined Southampton from Brest last summer for close to £11m and started 10 of his 22 Premier League appearances.

Southampton land important player in Perraud

Southampton will land an important player in Perraud, providing the Brest defender’s deal does not collapse at the last minute. He offered a creative force from full-back in France last season with seven assists and three goals in 36 Ligue 1 appearances.

Perraud also played a leading role under Olivier Dall’Oglio, before he left to become the new Montpellier manager. Dall’Oglio lauded Perraud during their time together at the Stade Francis-Le Ble, telling Le Telegramme: “Romain was decisive at the start of the season.”

Now, Hasenhuttl will add an attacking option to replace Bertrand who thrives when given permission to push forward. Perraud will also get plenty of crosses into the box for Southampton players to attack, but with the pace to track back if possession is turned over.