Southampton are leading the chase to sign Sampdoria defender Omar Colley despite interest from West Ham and Newcastle United, according to The Sun (Goals pull-out, page 12, 20 July).
At the age of 27, a late-blooming defender looks set to become only the second Gambian ever to play in the Premier League.
Though Colley will be hoping to make a far bigger impact on British shores than his international team-mate Mo Barrow.
A 6ft 3ins man mountain, the former Genk and Djurgardens ace has caught the eye with his performances in Serie A over the last few seasons with his expert positional sense and fearsome physique earning admiration from numerous clubs from across the continent.
The Sun claims that Newcastle and West Ham are interested, though it is Southampton who are at the front of the queue right now for a potential £13 million signing.
“Already in January, there was real interest from the Premier League,” agent Umberto Riva told Tuttomercatoweb.
“No offers have been made, but he could adapt to English football thanks to his characteristics.”
Southampton are already on the verge of signing another highly-rated defensive talent in the shape of Real Valladolid’s Mohammed Salisu.
But, according to Sky, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side were planning to sign another centre-half after Salisu, with a mystery man from Europe in their sights.
Now, it seems that his identity has been revealed.
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