Southampton have now found out that one of their transfer targets will be available this summer after a surprising development.
Manager Russell Martin is desperate to improve his squad ahead of a return to the Premier League and it looks as though owners Sport Republic are ready to back their manager.
However, due to the Premier League spending rules and a desire to ensure a stable financial future, the club are keen to make use of the free agent market and have already done so by signing 36-year-old Adam Lallana.
Brentford’s Saman Ghoddos looks set to join him when his contract expires at the end of June and Newcastle United could agree to terminate Ryan Fraser’s contract early in order to facilitate a move to Southampton.
Now a player that has piqued the club’s interest is set to be available for what likely be a nominal fee, meaning Southampton could make a move.
Southampton target Karamoko Dembele set to be released by Brest
Karamoko Dembele signed for Brest following the end of his Celtic contract in summer 2022 but has played just 18 times for the French side.
The winger, who can also play as an attacking midfielder, spent last season on loan at Blackpool in League One and showed the quality that led to so much hype around the player who made his Celtic under-20 debut aged just 13.
Dembele was a level above in League One as he scored eight goals and provided 13 assists in 39 league games.
His close control, burst of pace and trickery make him a really exciting talent and at just 21 he will only get better.
However, a surprising update on Dembele’s future has emerged which should put Southampton on high alert.
That is because Brest’s sporting director Grégory Lorenzi confirmed in an interview with French sports outlet L’Equipe that Dembele will be allowed to leave this summer despite his impressive loan spell in England.
Dembele compared to Lionel Messi aged just 13
Dembele has perhaps been a victim of the media hype he got when playing with players seven years his senior for Celtic under-20s.
From that point onwards, the diminutive attacker has had constant attention and with that comes enormous pressure.
Dembele made his Celtic senior debut aged 16 but only made ten appearances for the first-team prior to moving to Brest.
Having been linked with a move to all of the most prestigious academies in Europe as a teenager, this move was somewhat underwhelming for a player once compared to Lionel Messi.
Dembele’s under-20 debut gained the attraction of two-time European Cup winner Ruud Gullit, with the Dutch legend saying in 2016: “Scotland don’t have many great players at the moment – but they do have a new 13-year-old, who looks pretty special.”
“I saw Dembele playing on YouTube. What a player. He is exceptionally good – and left-footed as well.”
Still just 21, Southampton could secure a bargain if they are minded to try and convince Dembele to make the move to St Mary’s with the obvious potential the former wonderkid has.