da poker： According to reports on Portuguese media outlet Zero Zero, Southampton are among the clubs interested in signing Nice midfielder Jean Seri this summer.
Who?
da mrbet： Well, the central midfielder has been one of the French outfit’s top performers this season as they have challenged the likes Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain at the top of Ligue 1.
Nice currently lie in third position in the standings, and the 25-year-old has certainly helped them become contenders for a Champions League spot with some standout performances.
How has he done?
He has done very well.
The Ivory Coast international has scored four goals and provided nine assists for his teammates, and he could be set for a move away from the French Riviera at the end of the season.
Didn’t Claude Puel used to manage Nice?
Correct.
In fact, the current Saints manager actually brought Seri to the Allianz Arena in the summer of 2015, so he already knows the qualities that the player has.
What can he bring to the Saints side?
He can bring goals from midfield.
While he has netted four this season, the likes of Oriol Romeu, Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg, Harrison Reed, Steven Davis and Jordy Clasie have failed to score a single one between them in the Premier League this term, and it is an issue that Puel will be looking to sort this summer.
With nine assists and 50 key passes to his name too, he would bring a creative spark to the middle of the park.
Is he similar to Kante?
Standing at 5’6” tall, he perhaps is in terms of stature.
However, while he is able to play in a defensive role, he is certainly a more attack-minded central midfield player and Saints fans shouldn’t expect him to play exactly like Kante if he does come to St Mary’s.
How much would he cost?
The report on Zero Zero suggests that Seri’s former team are hoping to recoup €2m-€4m from a 15% sell-on fee that was included in the deal that took him to Nice, which means he could be available for approximately £12m-£22m.
The south coast outfit would obviously hope that it is nearer the former, and it is a fee that would seem to fit in with the club’s philosophy, having signed Hojbjerg, Sofiane Boufal and Manolo Gabbiadini for similar amounts.
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