Southampton were in advanced talks to sign Ibrahim Sangare from Toulouse before work permit problems forced the midfielder to complete a £9 million move to PSV Eindhoven, according to Hampshire Live.
The 22-year-old Ivory Coast international might have spent the past few weeks being linked with Tottenham and Arsenal but it seems another Premier League club came closest to securing his signature.
It’s no secret Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Saints want a new all-action midfielder to replace Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg at St Mary’s.
And, if it hadn’t been for that pesky red tape, Sangare would have been the man to take the Dane’s place in Southampton’s engine room.
Sangare confirmed to VI on Monday he held discussions with Southampton before making a £9 million move to the Eredivisie, becoming the sixth-most expensive signing in PSV’s history.
Hampshire Live has shed more light on the situation, claiming Sangare could have made his Saints debut against West Bromwich Albion this weekend if everything had gone to plan.
But, as he didn’t have the required work permit, the deal fell through at the last minute.
Sangare went the way of Weston McKennie, slipping through Southampton’s fingers.
The Saints now have only six days left until the window closes with the real possibility Hojbjerg won’t be replaced at all.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
