Report: Hasenhuttl wins £11m race for Leeds, Newcastle and Gerrard target

Get French Football News claim Southampton are set to win the race for Bordeaux wonderkid Sekou Mara – amid reports that Leeds, Newcastle and Aston Villa were all showing interest in the France Under-21 international.

Mara, 19, burst onto the scene at Bordeaux in Ligue 1 last season. Coming into the campaign, he had only played nine times for Bordeaux’s first team. But last term, he scored six and created two goals in 27 appearances.

However, Bordeaux have been forced into a sale. The club finished rock bottom of Ligue 1, and have since been relegated further into the third tier – due to administration and confirming bankruptcy.

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The club are desperately holding a fire sale to bring in cash and Mara is a casualty. Reports this week emerged that Leeds, Villa and Newcastle were keen. However, GFFN now confirm Southampton are set to win the race.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side are set to pay Bordeaux an initial £9.3million – following by a further £1.7million in add-ons. It is another young signing made by Hasenhuttl, with Sara softening the blow of losing Armando Broja.

Southampton to win Mara race amid Leeds, Villa and Newcastle interest

Considering the size of the clubs battling Southampton for Mara, it is a brilliant signing for the Saints. Leeds and Villa are particularly renowned for their faith in youth – but it is unrivalled in comparison to Southampton.

Hasenhuttl has moulded Southampton into being a club that gives young players the stage to shine – and then selling players on for big fees. That is their model. Mara might see it as a springboard, but is a good signing.

Photo by Franco Arland/Icon Sport via Getty Images
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