Southampton’s Armel Bella-Kotchap has been lined up as a potential replacement for Josko Gvardiol as Premier League champions Manchester City step up their pursuit of the RB Leipzig defender.
Reports suggesting that Aston Villa are closing in on the signing of Villarreal’s Pau Torres may have come as a relief to Southampton supporters. Armel Bella-Kotchap, after all, appeared to have been identified as Villa’s back-up option, in case of any problems in their Torres pursuit.
But that relief, it seems, is merely fleeting.
Sky Deutschland now report that Bella-Kotchap – who joined the Saints from VFL Bochum a year ago – has also been lined up by an RB Leipzig side who could offer the Germany international a return to the Bundesliga.
Armel Bella-Kotchap could leave Southampton for RB Leipzig
Bella-Kotchap would have very big shoes to fill at the Red Bull Arena.
The 21-year-old may face the unenviable task of replacing arguably the best young centre-half in world football; Josko Gvardiol.
So impressive at the Qatar World Cup (until he came up against Lionel Messi of course), the BBC report that Pep Guardiola is a ‘big admirer’ of a player who, if he joins Manchester City before September 1st, could become the most expensive defender in the history of the game.
Leipzig value Gvardiol at around £85 million.
Bella-Kotchap will reportedly cost around a third of that fee. Should Gvardiol go, Leipzig will not struggle to match Southampton’s asking price. Although Marco Rose’s German Cup winners are also currently appear to be further along in their pursuit of another target; Lyon’s France U21 international Castello Lukeba.
Lukeba, like Bella-Kotchap, stood out in an underperforming side in 2022/23. The latter was one of the very few players who emerged from the wreckage of Southampton’s relegation with his reputation enhanced, Bella-Kotchap even forcing his way into the plans of Germany boss Hansi Flick ahead of next summer’s European Championships on home soil.
“Armel Bella-Kotchap has developed very well,” the Bayern Munich coach told the Dresdner Morgenpost.
“He defends well at Southampton and in the Premier League. That says a lot.”
Southampton finally have a new head coach in former Swansea coach Russell Martin. The Saints could reunite Martin with Jay Fulton, Matt Grimes and/or Joel Piroe.
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