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As Southampton prepare to announce the signing of Matheus Fernandes, presumably today but sometimes these things can drag on, there’s also a player going the other way at the Saints.

French newspaper L’Equipe report Sékou Mara will sign for Strasbourg in a €12m transfer deal. They present that as fact, something which is absolutely happening rather than a likelihood, and state the forward will sign a five-year contract with the Ligue 1 club.

The 22-year-old is set to travel to France on Tuesday, and once in Alsace he can start his medical examinations with Strasbourg.

Southampton have given Mara permission to travel and go through the transfer formalities, having been pleased the €12m offer they received from the French club.

For the Saints it’s a boost to their transfer kitty and will perhaps help another incoming deal in the final 10 days of the summer window.

Last season, Mara played 28 Championship matches for Southampton, mainly as a substitute, and found the back of the net three times in the league.