Southampton have announced the addition of Moroccan international Sofiane Boufal from Lille. The French club said Monday that Boufal was undergoing a medical at the English Premier League side.
Lille’s deputy general manager Jean-Michel Vandamme told AFP the initial transfer fee for the attacking midfielder would be about €20 million (Dh82.1 million).
“Everyone has agreed, the only thing that could stop the transfer is a worry during the medical visit that the player is undergoing now,” Vandamme said.
The 22-year-old who scored 11 goals in 29 Ligue 1 games last season underwent surgery in Qatar in May on his right knee cartilage. He will not be available to play until at least the end of the September.
“We have been very transparent,” said Vandamme.
“They know everything and if they hire him it is on that basis,” the Lille official added.
The quoted fee would be a record for Southampton. British media reports have spoken of the English side paying up to 20 million pounds (23.4 million euros/$26 million).
Lille’s French youth international defender Benjamin Pavard could be leaving for Vfb Stuttgart in Germany, Vandamme added.
*Agence France-Press
Lescott joins AEK Athens
Former England defender Joleon Lescott has joined AEK Athens on a two-year contract, the Greek Super League club announced Monday.
Lescott, 34, last season played for Aston Villa but had not played for the Championship side yet this season. The Greek club did not say whether a transfer fee was paid.
“Certainly I want to win trophies with AEK. I’ve done it in the past and want to continue,” said the former Manchester City defender who has 26 England caps.
“It is a great opportunity and challenge for me to be eligible to win titles. I would not be here if I thought it was a risk coming to Greece,” Lescott said.
*Agence France-Press
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