Club ‘hot’ for Southampton man but ‘not boiling yet’ – ‘Race is on’, transfer fee key to deal

Bayer Leverkusen are interested in a potential deal for Southampton’s Nathan Tella, but are yet to turn that into anything concrete.

That’s according to Rheinische Post, who say it is ‘quite realistic’ that the German club are looking into a deal for the winger.

Reports in England have indicated that Leverkusen are one of several sides eyeing up a potential deal for Tella after he impressed while on loan with Burnley last season.

The Bundesliga side are on the hunt for a right-winger after selling Moussa Diaby to Aston Villa, a departure which has left a hole in their side in terms of the position and the goals he provided.

With Leverkusen set to compete on three fronts this season they know a signing is required; the club having learned that lesson from last season when injured players could not be replaced adequately.

RP, though, say the ‘crux of the deal’ lies in the transfer fee. Tella is not available at a ‘bargain price’, having seen his market value rise from €1.8m to €18m over the last year, something Southampton are aware of.

That fee, plus the remaining two years on his contract with the Saints means he cannot be secured cheaply but Leverkusen are not flush with cash.

They have around €11m in surplus following their business this summer so are already €7m short of the figure Southampton would likely wish to start negotiations at.

It is because of that the rumours are currently ‘hot, but not boiling yet’. Leverkusen are interested in the Southampton man but they’re not the only ones. The ‘race is on’ for his signature, but the outcome is uncertain.