Southampton winger Kamaldeen Sulemana has had his Atalanta medical scheduled for next week as the Ghanaian edges closer to an exit.
The 23-year-old established himself as a top performer in the second half of last season, being somewhat of a bright spot in what was a dire Saints team that finished bottom of the Premier League. In 30 appearances across the season, he scored three times and assisted two goals.
Atalanta Makes Breakthrough
Sulemana’s exit seems assured with Gazetta dello Sport reporting and later corroborated by Sport Witness that Southampton will receive €17 million (£14.5 million) with an additional €4 million (£3.4 million) in bonuses for his sale, and a medical at the Bergamo side is scheduled for later next week.
Atalanta, managed by former Saints boss Ivan Juric, could be losing star winger Ademola Lookman, with Arsenal opening up fresh negotiations for the former Leicester City and Charlton Athletic man. Last season, the Lombardy side recorded their joint highest Serie A finish by finishing in third and eight points away from eventual winners Napoli, securing a Champions League place.
Will Still’s side have been examining the market for new wingers with Colo-Colo star Lucas Cepeda a leading target. However, they may face competition from Nottingham Forest for the Chilean’s signature. There have been conflicting reports as to whether Southampton have made a bid, believed to be in the region of £4 million.
Writers’ View
It now seems inevitable that Kamaldeen Sulemana is on his way out of Southampton. With a terrible campaign and Championship football looming, many of their best players are wanting out and Atalanta is a no-brainer move for the Ghanaian. Champions League football, coupled with a potential exit for Ademola Lookman could give the 23-year-old a regular starting spot at one of Italian football’s most inform sides and a previous Europa League winner. It is now up to Will Still to replace him adequately, with Lucas Cepeda’s deal still up in the air.
