Southampton Opinion: Saints should sign Omar Elabdellaoui as a back-up for Yan Valery
According to claims from Greek news outlet SDNA, Leicester City, Celtic and Southampton are interested in signing Olympiacos right-back Omar Elabdellaoui in the summer.
Elabdellaoui was a target for Celtic back in the January transfer window when Brendan Rodgers was at the helm of affairs, with the Scottish Sun linking the Hoops with a £4 million move for the 27-year-old Norwegian international.
Rodgers is likely to set his sights on the Norwegian once again this summer, with Danny Simpson out of contract at the end of the season, while Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl will be under pressure to make a call on the future of Cedric Soares when he returns from his loan spell at Inter Milan.
Across the border, a new right-back continues to be a priority at Parkhead in the summer, as the Hoops prepare for life without Cristian Gamboa and Mikael Lustig.
Having progressed through the youth ranks at Man City, Elabdellaoui never made a first-team appearance for the Citizens and has enjoyed a nomadic playing career so far.
The 36-cap Norwegian international has featured for the likes of Stromsgodset in Norway, Feyenoord in Holland, Eintracht Braunschweig in Germany, as well as for Marco Silva’s Hull City in the second half of the 2016-17 season.
Elabdellaoui has racked up a total of 9 goals and 14 assists from 122 appearances for Olympiacos in all competitions, featuring regularly for the Greek giants in the Champions League and Europa League. It looked as if he has finally found his niche in Greece but with so many clubs weighing up a move for the 27-year-old, he might as well be tempted to switch boats once again should a suitable offer be tabled.
To put things into perspective, Omar Elabdellaoui is no stranger to English football and he would be a decent signing for either of the aforementioned clubs but Southampton would bag a massive coup if they manage to beat off competition for the Norwegian right-back.
He has proven his worth as a versatile player down the right-hand side of the pitch over the course of his five seasons with the Greek giants and also impressed for Norway in the UEFA Nations League last year.
SDNA claims that Olympiacos have slapped a £4.5 million price tag on their prized asset, which should not be much of a problem for the Saints should the talks between the two clubs reach an advanced stage in the coming months.
Southampton need to bolster their options at right-back come the end of the season, as keeping Cedric Soares at the club would be a step backwards for the Saints.
The Portuguese international’s progress has stalled over the past couple of campaigns and his lapses of concentration at the back have cost the team dear on multiple occasions. Moreover, Hasenhuttl has preferred a back-three system with two wing-backs playing on either side of the pitch and Soares doesn’t have the pace and the agility to fill in that role.
Yan Valery has really come of age for the Saints in the Premier League under the stewardship of Hasenhuttl and the youngster is likely to continue in that right wing-back role next season as well. However, Southampton need to bring in at least another player to provide cover and competition for the youngster, and Omar Elabdellaoui certainly fits the bill.
Noted for his work-rate and tenacity down the flanks, the Norwegian is blessed with good pace and flair on the ball, while his crossing from the wide areas can also be an asset to the Saints. He is also capable of playing as a midfielder down the right-hand side of the pitch and bringing in a versatile player like him would be a massive boost to Hasenhuttl’s team dynamics.
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Southampton have almost managed to guide themselves to safety in the Premier League this term but they should look to challenge for better things than just avoiding relegation, as the club enters a rebuilding phase under Hasenhuttl. That said, Omar Elabdellaoui is the kind of player that they should be looking at in the transfer window, as the Norwegian can offer good value for money.
