Southampton have signed target Yukinari Sugawara from AZ Alkmaar on a four-year deal, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who revealed that his move will cost the newly-returned Premier League side €7 million.
As Russell Martin and his entourage prepare for a return to the English top flight, the former Swansea City chief will be keen to bolster his side, especially with Kyle Walker-Peters’ future hanging heavily in the balance.
A quartet of stars – Charlie Taylor, Ronnie Edwards, Nathan Wood and former Southampton academy graduate Adam Lallana – have already arrived through the St. Mary’s doors in recent times and Sugawara is set to be the next new face.
Sugawara Set to Sign Four-Year Deal with Southampton
Move worth €7 million
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the Italian football insider revealed that Sugawara, a 13-cap Japan international, is perfectly poised to sign a four-year deal with the south coast outfit, with a deal – worth €7 million – being confirmed by Romano.
“Yukinari Sugawara signs four year deal as new Southampton player from AZ today. €7m package deal, confirmed.”
🔴⚪️🇯🇵 Yukinari Sugawara signs four year deal as new Southampton player from AZ today.
€7m package deal, confirmed. pic.twitter.com/ns5xrlKE00
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 12, 2024
The likes of Premier League duo Everton and Brighton & Hove Albion were also keeping tabs on the 24-year-old’s situation prior to his Southampton move being confirmed, but Martin and Co have won the race as they look to strengthen their ranks ahead of an all-important 2024/25 campaign.
According toThe Mirror‘s report, the Seagulls – who have recently appointed Fabian Hurzeler – were said to have ‘watched’ the 24-year-old defender, but they have been beaten to his signature by Southampton.
| Sugawara vs Walker-Peters – 23/24 League Stats | ||
|---|---|---|
| Statistic | Sugawara | Walker-Peters |
| Minutes | 2,564 | 3,860 |
| Goals | 4 | 2 |
| Assists | 7 | 4 |
| Pass success rate (%) | 84 | 91 |
| Tackles per game | 1.1 | 1.7 |
| Interceptions per game | 0.6 | 1.1 |
| Overall rating | 7.17 | 7.08 |
As alluded to, Tottenham Hotspur-linked Walker-Peters could be on his way out of Southampton this summer. The right-back’s contract expires next summer and would-be buyers could pounce on Southampton’s unfavourable stance.
West Ham United are also interested in the Southampton ace, meaning that moving in for Sugawara as a contingency plan makes complete sense, with them looking to evade demotion back to the Championship for as long as possible.
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