Newcastle miss out on summer target with Southampton set to seal £8.5m deal - Report

According to the Daily Express, Southampton have beaten Newcastle to the signing of Brest star Romain Perraud.

L'Equipe claimed that we'd been in talks with the highly-rated left-back just last week, however it's now being reported that he'll sign for Saints instead.

The Express state that they are 'close' to agreeing a deal worth around £8.5m - a potential bargain considering the season he's just had in Ligue 1 - and have fended off interest from ourselves and Leeds.

Perraud is a 23-year-old former France U21 international who has bagged 3 goals and 7 assists over the 2020/21 season - saving his side from relegation as a result.

This seems like a bargain for a player believed to be one of the best in his position over the past season, however it feels like our limited budget will see us focus on priority positions - not the arrival of another left-back.

Should we look to bring one in this summer, a free agent move for Jetro Willems seems far more likely and the most cost-effective option.

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