Southampton FC should dismiss one Kamaldeen Sulemana exit route - here’s why | OneFootball

Southampton FC should dismiss the offer from Nantes for Kamaldeen Sulemana exit route - here’s why: View

Southampton have reached a crossroads with Kamaldeen Sulemana. As speculation mounts about his future, there is definitely one exit route that the Saints hierarchy should not be considering.

Since arriving at Southampton from Stade Rennes for a fee in the region of 25 million euros, the pacey winger has managed just five goal involvements in 44 Premier League matches. This meagre return has highlighted Sulemana’s lack of end product, despite his undoubted potential. Most Southampton fans just want to get rid of him.

In the Championship, the current Black Stars full international fared even worse. His return of just three assists and no goals in 25 EFL matches for the Saints doesn’t bode well for new manager Will Still, who is hoping to build a squad capable of being promoted next season.

FC Nantes fly back for more

With clubs allegedly queueing up to sign the out-of-form Saint, there is one deal that Southampton would be crazy to consider.

FC Nantes have launched a second attempt to sign Southampton’s Ghanaian senior international, Sulemana. According to Africafoot, the Ghanaian is seen as a priority target for the Canaries, who first tried to sign Sulemana in January. However, Southampton were unwilling to loan the player, preferring a permanent sale to recoup as much of their initial outlay as possible.

However, a potential fee of close to £17 million (20 million euros) prompted the Ligue One outfit to pull out of negotiations, but it seems that they are coming back for a second bite of the cherry.

Nantes favour a loan deal with an obligation to buy. This structure would be the same as the one that Southampton agreed with Strasbourg for former Wizkid Sam Amo-Ameyaw in 2024. The deal for Amo-Ameyaw will see Southampton net a paltry £10 million, as per the Echo, for the talented 18-year-old winger. Just imagine what he might have been worth if he'd gone out and been successful on loan to one of the Bundesliga teams in Germany.

Allowing Sulemana to leave for Nantes in an obligation-to-buy deal could leave Southampton seriously out of pocket should the Ghanaian's form improve. The potential that prompted Southampton, then under Nathan Jones, to splash over £20 million on Sulemana may just be bubbling away like a previously dormant volcano. The correct move now could be the one that brings the heat. A move to Ligue One, which is arguably no more competitive than the Championship, is not that move.

Germany is ideal for player development and must be considered for Sulemana

Having seen the likes of Jude Bellingham, Jadon Sancho, Emile Smith-Rowe, and Ademola Lookman benefit from loan moves in the competitive top tier of German football, this has to be the path that Southampton take with Sulemana, if they are hoping to maximise his value.

Fortunately, there is speculation in Africafoot that RB Leipzig are interested in recruiting Sulemana. Former Ghana coach Claude Le Roy believes that the 23-year-old will fully blossom at Leipzig. Identifying that Suleman's pace and power would be an ideal fit for the German league, the 77-year-old went on to criticise Leipzig's present lack of firepower.

Southampton find themselves at a crossroads with Sulemana. Selling the player on a permanent basis might see him leave too cheaply. Whereas sending him out on loan could go one of two ways. Either Sulemana confirms that he was never worth the £20 million plus that Southampton paid for him, or he blossoms. One thing is for certain; he shouldn't be heading to FC Nantes.