Southampton are reportedly interested in signing promising Strasbourg defender Mohamed Simakan.
According to claims from Ed Aarons of The Guardian, Saints are joined by Watford and Crystal Palace in the race to sign the youngster.
Twitter: Southampton, Watford and Palace interested in signing defender Mohamed Simakan from Strasbourg. The teenager is valued at €25m (@ed_aarons)
Simakan has impressed in Ligue 1 this season, and as such, clubs from the Premier League are considering moves.
The 19-year-old, who Strasbourg are believed to value at €25 million, is capable of operating both as a right-back and a centre-back but has largely found himself in the former position this term.
Read Southampton’s verdict
Southampton’s form has been impressive recently, but that should not deflect from the glaring weaknesses in some areas of the squad.
Cedric Soares has been poor this season and is keen to leave when his contract expires in the summer, while Yan Valery has seemingly not been available to Hasenhuttl.
Saints have a plethora of options in central defence, but only Jan Bednarek and Jack Stephens have truly shown that they are capable of performing at the top level.
Therefore, Simakan’s versatility makes him an attractive option to Hasenhuttl, who favours working with young, positionally flexible players in the formative stages of their careers.
He would perhaps not be an instant fix to Southampton’s long-standing defensive woes, but the Strasbourg defender is held in high esteem in France and appears to have a big future ahead of him.
It seems unlikely, however, that Saints will spend €25 million on one player this month, let alone a 19-year-old defender.
