Linked with a move to the Premier League earlier this year, with Tottenham reportedly interested, Armel Bella-Kotchap will instead transfer to Southampton.
That’s according to Sky Germany, who report the central defender ‘is moving’ to St Mary’s, where he has ‘signed a four-year contract’ with the English side, managed by Ralph Hasenhüttl.
The 20-year-old, born in Paris, capped for Germany’s U21s and eligible for Cameroon, was under contract with VfL Bochum until 2024, but has chosen to continue his career at Southampton.
The price tag to be paid by the Saints isn’t revealed, but with two years left on his deal, plenty of potential to grow and 22 Bundesliga appearances to his name, we doubt he’ll be overly cheap.
Still, it’s a good deal for Southampton, who will want to develop him under Hasenhüttl’s tutelage, giving him time to learn from the likes of Lyanco, Mohamed Salisu and Jan Bednarek along the way.
