Southampton are reportedly looking to snap up Monaco striker Valere Germain.
Valere Germain celebrates a goal for Nice
According to French newspaper L’Equipe, Southampton want to bring Monaco striker Valere Germain to the club, reuniting him with manager Claude Puel.
The Saints have snapped up midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg as well as winger Nathan Redmond this summer, but now have to find a new striker.
Southampton’s new manager Claude Puel
Italian forward Graziano Pelle has left the club in order to make a big-money move to China with Shandong Luneng, and whilst new manager Puel does have Shane Long and Charlie Austin at his disposal, moving for another forward would be a smart move.
Now, L’Equipe report that Southampton are keen to sign a striker Puel knows very well indeed – Monaco’s Valere Germain.
Germain, 26, has been with Monaco since joining from Chateauroux back in 2005, but spent last season out on loan at Nice having fallen down the pecking order with Monaco.
Under Puel’s stewardship, Germain hit 14 league goals for Nice last season, but has now returned to Monaco at the end of his loan deal – and could now leave permanently.
L’Equipe state that whilst Real Betis want to sign Germain, Puel is keen to reunite with him at Southampton too, and the prospect of working with his former boss again could be appealing.
With money to spend following the sales of Victor Wanyama and Sadio Mane, Southampton can certainly compete with Betis for Germain’s signature this summer, and given Puel’s influence, it’s a deal which would make a lot of sense for the Saints.
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