Southampton on the verge of sealing £10m deal for Armel Bella-Kotchap with the Germany U21 defender set to become Ralph Hasenhuttl’s third signing of the summer in the next 48 hours
- Southampton are closing in on a deal for VFL Bochum’s Armel Bella-Kotchap
- The 20-year-old is poised to become Saints’ third summer signing this week
- Bella-Kotchap has made 73 appearances for Bochum and nine for Germany U21s
Southampton are closing in on a deal for highly-rated Germany Under 21 defender Armel Bella-Kotchap.
VFL Bochum centre-back Bella-Kotchap is on the verge of becoming Southampton’s third summer signing, with the club hoping to finalise his signing for a fee in the region of £10m in the next 48 hours.
Bella-Kotchap is set to sign a initial four-year deal with the option of a further 12 months, an agreement that is expected to include a buyout clause.
Southampton are closing in on a deal for Germany U21 defender Armel Bella-Kotchap (right)
The 20-year-old is poised to become Saints’ third summer signing in the next 48 hours
The Paris-born 20 year-old will follow goalkeepers Gavin Bazunu and Mateusz Lis to St Mary’s as new arrival this summer.
Their additions will ensure manager Ralph Hasenhuttl as addressed some of his key transfer priorities for this window ahead of the start of pre-season, with the first of his players returning next week for testing.
Bella-Kotchap made his Bochum debut aged just 17 in April 2019 and has gone on to make 74 appearances for the German club.
As his reputation has risen, Bella-Kotchap has been linked with moves to a number of Premier League clubs.
But Southampton, able to move more proactively in the transfer market against following Sport Republic’s takeover in January, have swooped to secure his signature.
Ralph Hasenhuttl is already bolstering his Saints squad ahead of the 2022-23 campaign
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