Southampton‘s hopes to sign Leo Scienza have taken a hit as a new side have entered the race for the Heidenheim midfielder.
The Saints have been forced into a rebuild this summer with multiple high-profile sales since their relegation from the Premier League, with stars like Mateus Fernandes and Tyler Dibling earning big money moves to the Premier League. Will Still has done deals to replace those outgoings with proven Championship talent, with Finn Azaz joining from Middlesbrough and West Bromwich Albion‘s Tom Fellows making the switch to St. Mary’s within the past 48 hours.
Scienza Hopes Take A Dent
The final piece of the puzzle for their attacking line could be Leo Scienza, who the Saints have already struck a personal agreement with according to some reports, but a recent update from Florian Plettenberg and later followed up by Inside Futbol stated that talks were on hold due to a mismatch in valuation between Southampton and FC Heidenheim of the Bundesliga.
However, a new report from fellow Sky Sports Germany journalist Patrick Berger has thrown a major spanner in the works, with it believed that Paris FC have now joined Southampton in trying to sign the 26-year-old Brazilian, and have already submitted a verbal bid in their attempt to hijack a deal. Scienza joined Heidenheim at the start of last season and was one of their best players as they avoided relegation from the German top flight.
Paris FC are the new boys to the French Ligue 1, having earned promotion last season as the second-placed finishers in the second tier. They have finally got their first win on the board this season, with a 3-2 win over FC Metz aided by current first-choice left-winger Moses Simon, who recorded a goal and assist within that match.
Writers’ View
This is a vital move for Southampton to get over the line before the window shuts this evening. Samuel Edozie’s desire to move away from Hampshire this window has emphasised a need to recruit a new winger on top of their existing business, and Scienza would be a good addition to their new-look front line. As much as he has promise, relying on 18-year-old Jay Robinson to deliver across a full season may not be the best move to make. The Saints will want to get this deal over the line before Paris FC can make their move.
