Armel Bella-Kotchap looked a great signing in his first few games for Southampton last season, but now 11 months after his last appearance for the club, he is one of the forgotten men and his career had nosedived on loan at PSV Eindhoven.

When Armel Bella-Kotchap arrived at St Mary's in the summer of 2022 he was a promising 20 year old and he looked a snip at around £8 million and his value soon rocketed after a series of solid displays in the centre of the Saints defence meant that he was capped for Germany.

But injuries including two shoulder injuries disrupted his season at St Mary's and as Saints sunk to relegation his influence waned and in August he was one of those who decided that the Championship wasn't for him and he went to PSV Eindhoven on loan.

In Holland he has not had a successful year, his shoulder issues have again dogged him, keeping him out for 4 months this time and he has managed just 2 starts in the Eridivisie, both of those coming back in September.

Since returning from injury in February he has not featured in the starting line up and indeed his only appearance in the League was his 1 minute cameo a month ago, meaning that he has only played 162 minutes in the Eridivisie.

Understandably it looks like he will be returning to St Mary's in the summer, but according to sportwitness.co.uk his return may not be for long.

They claim that Turkish club Galatasaray are interested in taking him to Istanbul next season, the two first choice central defenders there have already been the subject of interest elsewhere and Galtasaray have identified Bella-Kotchap as a possible replacement should they lose one or both of them.

It’s further explained that they have started contacts with the Southampton player, who ‘welcomes interest’ shown by the Süper Lig side and that he will only be interested in playing for Saints next season if they return to the Premier League.

Not what Southampton supporters want to read, but in truth understandable.

The reality though is that despite his injury issues his value on transfermarkt is still around £15 million and that sort of money is not affordable.

So they are likely to be looking for a loan deal and that won't be good news for Saints who would prefer to recoup some of their money and be shot of him.

Photo: Action Images

City_boy added 11:52 - Apr 11 All the Turkish clubs always look for a loan deal, nothing new.
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YosemiteSaint added 21:13 - Apr 11 Such a great talent—if he could only keep fit.
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