Southampton have been linked with a move for Brest left-back Romain Perraud ahead of the summer transfer window, and he could prove to be a serious upgrade on the departing Ryan Bertrand in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side next season.
What’s the word?
According to French news outlet L’Equipe, the Saints are expected to complete a deal for Perraud in the coming days, despite Newcastle United and Leeds United also being interested in the defender.
The report suggests that, despite him committing to a new contract until 2025 in January, he will leave the Ligue 1 club this summer and Southampton are the likely beneficiaries, with the two clubs having already worked together when the south coast outfit signed Ibrahima Diallo in October 2020.
A Bertrand upgrade?
Southampton are in desperate need of a new left-back ahead of the 2021/22 Premier League campaign after Bertrand revealed that he would leave the club on the expiry of his contract this summer, which leaves just Jake Vokins available as a left-back at St Mary’s.
The academy graduate struggled for game-time on loan at Sunderland in League One and was seriously exposed on his one Premier League start against Arsenal last season, so it seems unlikely that he will be a regular in Hasenhuttl’s side next term.
Therefore, a move for Perraud would make a lot of sense, especially after his impressive performances at Stade Francis-Le Blé in 2020/21..
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In 36 appearances in the French top flight, the 23-year-old contributed three goals and seven assists, averaging a solid 6.84 rating for his performances from WhoScored. Bertrand, by comparison, managed no goals and just one assist for Southampton in the Premier League last term, averaging a disappointing 6.41 rating from WhoScored for his efforts.
Perraud clearly has the edge from an attacking sense, and he also outperformed the 31-year-old when it came to interceptions, clearances, passes and dribbles per game, which suggests that he could be an excellent option in Hasenhuttl’s side next season.
Therefore, Martin Semmens should definitely look to bring the young Frenchman to St Mary’s this summer, as he could see the Saints become far more dangerous down the left-hand side in 2021/22.
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