Saints have revealed today the signing of a much needed attacking midfielder Sofiane Boufal from Lille for a club-record breaking undisclosed fee, the Morocco international has agreed to commit to the club for the next five years.

Record breaking

It is understood from various sources the fee for the 22-year-old could be up to £21 million, which breaks Southampton previous record signing of £14.6 million for Dani Osvaldo back in 2013.

Boufal last season had a good track record making 43 appearances for Lille to score a staggering 14 goals in that time as they finished fifth in Ligue 1 and even reached the final of the Coup de la Ligue.

Boufal chests it down | Photo: francefootball.fr
Boufal chests it down | Photo: francefootball.fr

He could be the saving grace Saints need after losing their best two goal scorers - Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle during the summer transfer window. Which left manager Claude Puel in a pickle to find replacements that will fit his recent development in the new diamond formation he has come up with for the club.

Adding more firepower

In the press conference, Boufal said: “I’m very, very happy to sign for Southampton.”

The excitement of playing at “St Mary’s” is slowing setting in and the club showed “massive interest” in the French born player and being at the club is the “best place” to continue to grow and progress.

With the high hopes to “achieve” great things with the club and the exceptionally well set up facilities makes for the “perfect environment” to continue developing.

Saints executive director of football, Les Reed, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to welcome Sofiane to Southampton.”

The attacking midfielder put himself on Southampton’s radar by showing “undoubted qualities in France” over the past couple of season. The club is “extremely confident” that Boufal will “successfully” settle and fit into life in the Premier League.

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About the author
Jess Cowie
Sports journalism at Chester University