Southampton Football Club have announced that Mohammed Salisu has completed a move from the club to join French club Monaco, there will not be much sadness in Southampton at this news.

Southampton FC have announced that Mohammed Salisu has completed a move to Monaco.

A short statement on the club website said

"The 24-year-old centre-back departs St Mary’s after three seasons on the south coast, joining the Ligue 1 side ahead of the new campaign.

"In his time with Saints, Salisu – who moved to the club in 2020 from Spanish side Real Valladolid – made 80 appearances and scored once.

"We would like to wish Mohammed well for the future and thank him for his contribution.

The truth is that Salisu's arrival at St Mary's was clouded in controversy and rumours of his attitude from the moment he arrived on August 12th 2020, we desperately needed a talented central defender and he seemed to fit the bill as Saints stumped up around £10,5 million for his services.

But mysteriously he seemed to be unable to train and it would be mid February before he actually appeared in the first team.

It was clear he was a talent, but it was also clear he had an attitude problem, his final game came 2 years and 1 month later at home to Spurs, he came on as an early substitute and completed the game without a sign of an injury, but he would never turn out for the team again with little explanation given.

He was undoubtably a class act and he had some great games for the club, but too often he appeared to lack concentration at key moments and his attitude appeared suspect.

In his 3 years at the club, or to be exact 2 years and 1 month actual playing time, he started 62 Premier League games plus 6 as sub, also 10(2) cup games.

It could have and should have been a lot more, but sadly most Saints supporters will be somewhat relieved to see him go and the £17 million that Saints are said to be receiving will not only be welcome from a financial perspective,, but it means we get one of a number of our central defenders off the books and can now perhaps concentrate on getting the one we really need, a leader of men with experience at the highest level in England.

Photo: Action Images

codge added 22:37 - Aug 1 More good news👍
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Boris1977 added 08:25 - Aug 2 What could have been. Good to have another big wage off the bill. Still concerned about the size of the squad, the many high wages to pay and the attitude of those who do want away and their impact on the squad. Looking forward to Friday. COYRs
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Block8 added 09:37 - Aug 2 I agree with his lack of positional awareness and unfortunately it is a trait shared by Bella-Kotchap. Both have huge potential but potential wasn't what we needed at the time! Shea Charles looks more than comfortable there, he can play too & if Awe is as good as we are led to believe, then we may just have a partnership for the Championship which will carry us up and beyond!

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highfield49 added 10:03 - Aug 2 Talking of strengthening the central defence are there any rumours to suggest that Jack Stephens will be playing elsewhere this season?
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SanMarco added 10:55 - Aug 2 Good that he has gone and we are making a profit (although of course it is not really a profit after the wages are taken into account). I am fascinated by this term 'attitude problem'. Just to pluck a couple of things out of the air - is homesickness or a fragile personality 'bad attitude'? I have absolutely no idea what was wrong with Salisu and maybe he was just a lazy s0d. Let's be honest whatever is wrong will not be solved by a transfer...

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highfield49 added 13:37 - Aug 2 I think you've made a very valid point about the transfer system SanMarco. Whilst it's easy to believe that every player will adapt to the club with whom they have been persuaded to sign a contract humans don't always easily settle into new cultures. Hopefully Monaco will be more suited to Salisu's personality.
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onedannywallace added 09:03 - Aug 3 My son is convinced that we were approached by Barcelona last year who offered a lot more for Salisu. Is that true or just a silly rumour he picked up somewhere?
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underweststand added 12:21 - Aug 3 He had his "good days " but always seemed to be a bit of a square peg in the back line, and hopefully he will fit in better at Monaco. Doesn't rate in my top 20 of all time CB-greats.
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