Southampton player Sofiane Boufal has rejected offers from China and the United Arab Emirates as he looks to remain in one of Europe’s major leagues, according to L’Equipe.
Considering the Saints are at their best when unearthing rough diamonds and pulling off inspired bargain deals, it is perhaps fitting that many of the club’s most expensive additions have proved to be massive disappointments.
Guido Carillo, Mario Lemina, Jannik Vestergaard, Moi Elyounoussi, Manolo Gabbiadini and Wesley Hoedt all make it into the top ten biggest signings in Southampton history. And that is without mentioning a winger who has rarely lived up to expectations since becoming their £16 million record signing in 2016.
With just one year left on his contract, Boufal is destined to leave England for a vastly reduced sum.
Head coach Ralph Hasenhuttl admitted that the mercurial Moroccan could leave before the October deadline after he was left out of the squad for the 2020/21 opener against Crystal Palace earlier in September (Daily Echo).
Sportime reports that Olympiakos had agreed a £30,000-a-week contract with Boufal, although L’Equipe adds that a move to the Greek champions has not been completed just yet.
Angers are keen to take the one-time Lille wonder-kid back to France and, given that Boufal is determined to join a club playing in one of Europe’s ‘top five’ leagues, the 27-year-old could prioritise a return across the Channel.
L’Equipe adds that the Morocco international has rejected money-spinning offers from China and the UAE too as he looks to get his career back on track.
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