Martin Semmens could be set to land Southampton a major boost with “hyperactive” Brest left-back Romain Perraud.

What's the talk?

According to Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor, Southampton are in advanced talks with Brest over a deal for left-back Romain Perraud. Taylor has claimed that Southampton are on the verge of agreeing an £8.5m move for the defender as they set about trying to replace Ryan Bertrand.

Southampton's Premier League rivals Leeds and Newcastle are also said to be interested in Perraud. The Saints, however, have moved quickly to snap him up and now appear to be favourites to win the race for his signature this summer.

Perraud described himself as a “hyperactive” player earlier this year and emphasised that he likes to work hard and bomb up and down the pitch from left-back. He told French outlet MadeInFoot:

“I work with a lot of energy.

“It can sometimes be a fault because I want to be hyperactive so much sometimes I get a little confused. When I was at Paris FC, I gave so much during the first 70 minutes I had no gas left to finish the game. But I like it.

“This system (at Brest), it doesn’t slow me down. The coach lets me play, attack, participate in the offensive side of the game. Of course, I have rules on the defensive aspect, but there isn’t too much of a handbrake.”

Ralph will love it

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl will love it if Semmens is able to see this through and complete a deal for Perraud. The Saints are currently in a tricky position heading into next season as they have no senior left-backs contracted to the club beyond the end of the month.

Bertrand, who played in 29 of Southampton's Premier League matches, is set to depart from St. Mary's upon the expiry of his contract and will become a free agent at the start of July.

Centre-back Mohamed Salisu was deployed at left-back five times in the Premier League during the 2020/21 campaign. This highlights how important it is for Semmens to make sure Hasenhuttl has options to pick from next season at left-back so that he does not have to resort to playing centre-backs out of position to fill a gap in the squad due to a lack of depth.

Perraud could be an excellent addition to Southampton's squad and take over the left-back duties from Bertrand next season. The £5.7k-per-week ace enjoyed an excellent campaign in Ligue 1 for Brest, providing three goals and seven assists in 35 starts. Bertrand, meanwhile, failed to score a single goal and only set up one goal in his 29 starts for Southampton.

Therefore, Hasenhuttl could enjoy having a technically superior fullback in his XI, as it could allow more attacks to flourish down the left-hand side with Perraud's impressive goal involvements for Brest suggesting that he could be an attacking threat.

If Semmens can get this deal over the line, it could be a big boost for Southampton and Hasenhuttl will be buzzing.

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