West Brom’s proposed move for free agent Ahmed Musa is off, according to the Birmingham Mail – opening the door for Southampton to complete a deal for the Nigerian international.
The 28-year-old has been without a club since leaving Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr in the summer.
Musa is reportedly determined to prove his doubters wrong in the Premier League after an ill-fated spell with then-champions Leicester City in 2016. The forward scored just five goals in 33 appearances following his £17.55m move from Russian side CSKA Moscow.
The 87-cap Nigerian is the captain of his national team and was part of the squad in the 2018 World Cup in Russia (Transfermarkt). He is seeking regular top-level football ahead of Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin and Lesotho, which take place at the end of next month.
Having had fitness trials with Sam Allardyce’s side, the Birmingham Mail later confirmed that Musa would not be offered a short-term deal by the West Brom. It is believed that the Baggies would need to offload a winger before they could afford Musa, with both sporting and financial reasons preventing a deal from being done.
Musa was previously linked with Southampton and Burnley, with the Saints now able to exploit the Baggies’ rejection of the 28-year-old if they still wish to pursue the player.
Read Southampton Verdict
With Theo Walcott ruled out through injury, a deal for Musa feels more like a short-term panic than a long-term move for a player who could meaningfully improve Ralph Hasenhuttl’s plans, given how he previously struggled in England.
Unless an injury crisis mounts, Southampton should steer clear of a deal for the Nigerian.
