Real Valladolid defender Mohammed Salisu is closing in on a move to Rennes despite the fact that he would receive a far higher wage at Southampton, according to Le10 Sport.
So why on earth are the Saints set to miss out on one of Europe’s most promising young defenders?
Well, it seems that the reason is a simple one – though that does not make it any less frustrating for Ralph Hasenhuttl and co.
Southampton have been trying to bring Salisu to St Mary’s for the last six months now.
But with a lack of a work permit always likely to scupper his hopes of a move to the Premier League, it seems that the South Coast giants were barking up the wrong tree from day one.
AS reported last week that red tape could prevent Salisu, who has a £10 million release clause in his contract, forming a superb defensive partnership with the criminally underrated Jack Stephens at Southampton.
And Le10 Sport have now backed up those claims, with the 20-year-old La Liga powerhouse yet to win a senior international cap for the Ghanaian national team.
Southampton were set to offer Salisu a big pay raise but it seems that the pacey centre-back will have to settle for a move to France instead with a Rennes side who secured a magnificent third place finish in 2019/20.
Salisu will have to settle for a lower wage at Rennes. But the prospect of Champions League football is some consolation.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
