When Saints signed Armel Bella-Kotchap back in the summer of 2022, initially it looked like they had a bargain on their hands, but after a promising start it all went sour and he went on loan to try and force his way back into the German squad, now it seems that he could leave on a permanent basis.

When Armel Bella-Kotchap arrived as St Mary's for the start of 2022/23 season, Saints supporters had no idea of what to expect and after sitting out the opening day of the season on the bench for a 4-1 defeat at Spurs, he started the following game at home to Leeds and he looked the part as slowly Saints clawed their way up the table.

But in his 10th game of the season he injured his shoulder and that would possibly be the moment that Ralph Hasenhuttl was on borrowed time as his Saints side missing Bella-Kotchap & Romeo Lavia started to slide down the table after sitting in 11th.

The German central defender returned to the side, but they were in disarray and Saints panicked and appointed Nathan Jones and the rest as they say is history.

After yet another injury Bella-Kotchap returned for a swansong as it at first looked like Ruben Selles might be the saviour and starred in wins against Chelsea & Leicester and good draws against Manchester United and Arsenal.

But his form like the teams dropped and we limped to the Championship.

A year on loan at PSV Eindhoven was a disaster, more injury and only 4 appearances in the Eredivisie sees him back at St Mary's.

Personally I would not have been too disappointed to see him stay this season, there is a quality player in their if he stays injury free, but it seems that Russell Martin doesn't feel the same way and now Saints are looking to sell.

It seems they may have buyers, southamptonfc.news are quoting Fabrizio Romano, a well respected source of transfer gossip as saying the following on his X account.

"Understand Southampton have received two approaches for Armel Bella-Kotchap: Hoffenheim and Stuttgart are both interested.

No agreement so far but both clubs have approached Southampton, Saints sources confirm"

Saints paid about £8.6 million for Bella-Kotchap, but his value has risen, despite hardly playing last season, a little over a year ago it was said to be around £16 million, but it has plummeted since, however according to transfermarkt.com it is still around the £10.5 million mark.

That should prove tempting for some, but of course Saints are trying to push the price up a little nearer £17 million for a player who is a German International and at 22 is still a player with plenty of potential.

Truth is if we can get anything above his current estimated valuation then it would be more money in the transfer kitty and also off the wage bill, meaning we can perhaps get deals for Matt'O'Riley and even Fabio Carvalho over the line sooner than later.

Photo: Action Images

Monksway added 17:34 - Aug 7 If we can get £10 million for a player we don't want that is good business. Fingers crossed it happens.
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WestSussexSaint added 19:17 - Aug 7 What have Saints got against players with double barrel surnames!?! JWP - Gone ABK - Going KWP - Going (possibly) Watch out THB and SAA…..
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WanderingSaint added 20:43 - Aug 7 If WSS could go too, that would be great ;-)
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