Southampton FC face Wolves and Newcastle United transfer battle for 24-year-old | OneFootball

A shot-stopper is on the agenda at St Mary's with their number one expected to leave this summer.

Goalkeeper Yahia Fofana is a transfer target for Southampton, as well as Premier League rivals Newcastle United and Wolves, according to reports.

It's almost time for the rebuild of the Saints to fully get underway. They have one more top flight game against top flight runners-up Arsenal before they are sent back down to the Championship for the foreseeable future.

Part of the Saints' reassembly will include a new manager. RC Lens boss Will Still is currently looking the most likely, with hopes from those at the club that they could get him to attend Sunday's game against the Gunners, although they are getting a bit tight for time to complete a deal before then.

Southampton challenging Newcastle & Wolves in race for Ivory Coast international

Southampton are targeting big sales this summer with top players expected to leave. Tyler Dibling, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Aaron Ramsdale are all likely to head out the door for fees, but star full-back Kyle Walker-Peters will become a free agent this summer and the Saints will get nothing in return for his departure.

In the case of Ramsdale, his hopes of representing England at the next World Cup hinge on him playing Premier League football, so jumping ship just one summer on from getting on board will by no means be a surprise. He has been linked with Leeds United, Manchester United and West Ham United. Saints reportedly have a £25 million release clause in his contract.

Who might replace him? Well, it's unlikely to be anyone from in-house, and so Southampton are looking elsewhere for a new shot-stopper, particularly at Fofana, an Ivory Coast international.

The 24-year-old is of interest to the Hampshire side, as well as Newcastle and Wolves, according to Fraternite Matin (22nd May; page 32).

Fofana, who currently plays for French side Angers, is reported to be valued between €7 million - €10 million (£5.9 million - £8.4 million). The club are open to selling him and he is open to taking the next step in his career.

The valuation shouldn't be hard for the Saints or their top-flight competitors to meet, but, according to the report, it's who can offer Fofana the best future prospects that will have the best chance of winning the race for him.

Southampton's Ramsdale situation may make a deal for Fofana easier

At 24, he has already made 18 appearances for his country in international matches, including winning the 2024 African Cup of Nations as their starting goalkeeper.

He has made a strong impression in Ligue 1, too, keeping seven clean sheets and preventing 13.03 goals from going in - the second highest in the division - based on the chances he faced throughout the campaign.

You can certainly see why someone like Fofana is attracting the attention of Southampton and others. Luckily for them, because of the situation with Ramsdale, they may be able to offer the best opportunities to get minutes of the three clubs keen on the Ivorian.