Report: Marseille want to sign Southampton winger Sofiane Boufal

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Southampton winger Sofiane Boufal has emerged as a possible target for Marseille.

According to El Desmarque, the Saints star is being lined up as a potential replacement for Lucas Ocampos, who has officially joined Sevilla.

The £16 million signing from Lille (BBC Sport) spent last season on loan at Celta Vigo in a bid to try and get some momentum going.

The Morocco international did OK with the Spanish outfit, but is still likely to be moved on this summer.

Celta would like to bring him back, but will need the player to reduce his wage demands.

The Saints are willing to take a slight hit on the player, placing a €16 million/£14.3 million valuation on the 25-year-old.

TBR’s view

Southampton have completed the signing of Moussa Djenepo this summer, and Ralph Hasenhuttl has other options in the wide areas such as Mohamed Elyounoussi, Nathan Redmond and even James Ward-Prowse and Shane Long.

It simply hasn’t really worked out for Boufal, who has scored just four goals and made three assists in 59 games for the club.

It is important for Southampton to be bold this summer and get rid of the players on big wages who aren’t taking the club on.

£65,000-a-week star Boufal (Spotrac) is one such individual, along with the likes of Charlie Austin, Shane Long and Guido Carrillo.