Southampton set to beat Leeds and Arsenal to Ligue 1 star

Robin Bairner

• 7 Jun 2021 22:49 BST
• 5 min read

Southampton are set to complete a move for Brest left-back Romain Perraud, who is poised to complete a €10 million move to St Mary’s.

The 23-year-old was one of the most exciting attacking full-backs in Ligue 1 last term and finished the season with three goals and seven assists, despite playing for a side that narrowly avoided relegation.

Le10Sport believes that Southampton have won a bidding war with Leeds over the full-back, with Marcelo Bielsa having tracked the player since the January transfer window.

Furthermore, it is reported that Arsenal made “multiple bids” for the defender, who would have joined the Emirates Stadium outfit as a backup option to Kieran Tierney.

Newcastle were also interest in Perraud.

Southampton’s pursuit of Perraud was aided by their good relations with Brest, who they signed France Under-21 international midfielder Ibrahima Diallo from in the autumn. He went on to play 22 times in the Premier League last season, included 10 starts.

Perraud’s style

Perraud’s style is an attacking one, aided by the fact he was used to playing further forward in his younger days.

“It’s true that I changed position, before I played left midfielder and even as a winger,” he explained to Foot Mercato earlier this year. “I think that today, the position at left-back is a modern one because you’re asked to do a lot of things. You have to make a lot of runs, cross, make an impact offensively, provide support, start attacks… and you’re still a defender above all.

“I’ve got to know the job an embrace it. I still have things to learn because I’ve not been a left-back for that long. I can improve tactically or on certain points. I work every day to improve myself.”

Perraud, who is under contract until 2025, moved to Brest from Nice and had previously spent a year on loan at Paris FC, while he has played for France at youth level. The Premier League and Southampton, however, is set to be his next stop.