The Frenchman has just been released by Manchester City, and would be a superb addition to the Southampton squad.
New Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino will be looking to strengthen his squad in pretty much every department this summer, as he looks to build upon last season’s eighth placed finish in the Premier League table.
One particular area where Southampton will want to address is the left-back position, with Ryan Bertrand being heavily linked with a move to Manchester City, according to the Sun.
With this in mind, the south coast outfit should consider a move for Gael Clichy, who is now a free agent after being released by Pep Guardiola.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola speaks to Gael Clichy
The 31-year-old is highly experienced, and despite his advancing years, he still possesses the electric pace that he became renowned for after bursting onto the scene with Arsenal in 2004.
The Frenchman’s attacking instinct would perfectly suit the Saints’ manager’s adventurous approach to the game, but he has a lot more to his game than just the ability to bomb forward.
He is an accomplished defender, and can be disciplined when the need arises.
Southampton’s current squad is desperately bereft of a certain kind of winning mentality, and Clichy, along with his two Premier League title medals, would bring so much to Pellegrino’s men, both on and off the pitch.
One potential stumbling block could be Clichy’s wage demands, with the Daily Star reporting that he was on £95,000 per week at the Etihad.
The fact that he is without a club at the moment, however, could mean that a compromise could be reached, and if Pellegrino manages to bring him to St Mary’s, it could turn out to be a signing of real significance for the Saints.
Manchester City’s Gael Clichy in action
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