Southampton Opinion: Moussa Djenepo could evolve into a future star for the Saints
According to Sky Sports, Southampton have completed the signing of Malian international winger Moussa Djenepo from Belgian heavyweights Standard Liege on a four-year contract, with reports claiming that the transfer fee involved in the deal could rise up to £15 million, including add-ons and performance-related bonuses.
The 20-year-old passed a medical at St.Mary’s last week before joining up with his compatriots to prepare for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations and he is set to join the Saints next season, subject to international clearance and work-permit. (h/t Sky Sports)
Djenepo was on Southampton’s radar over the past few months and the youngster becomes the first signing of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s reign at St. Mary’s. The Malian impressed with 11 goals and 6 assists in 39 appearances for Standard Liege in all competitions this past season, helping the club qualify for the Europa League with a third-place finish in the Jupiler Pro League.
The 20-year-old apparently showed enough promise in Belgium to convince Southampton’s paymasters of his abilities and manager Hasenhuttl has hailed Djenepo’s qualities, citing the youngster’s strong mentality as one of the key factors behind his successful step up to European football (h/t Sky Sports).
A youth product of Malian club Yeelen Olympique, Djenepo initially signed for Standard Liege on loan in January 2017 with an obligation to make the move permanent. The Belgian giants made him a permanent member of the squad the next summer and the youngster gradually went from strength to strength over the course of his two-and-a-half seasons at the club.
Djenepo made a total of 61 appearances for Standard Liege in all competitions, accumulating 12 goals and 7 assists in the process. He will be expected to add to his 8 international caps for Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to be held later in the month, with his stocks currently soaring sky-high.
The 20-year-old’s success at Standard Liege was not only limited to the Belgian league but he also proved his worth in the Europa League, scoring 3 times in 5 group stage appearances. Djenepo starred in the club’s 1-0 home victory over Sevilla back in November and also got his name on the scoresheet in a painful 5-1 defeat away from home later in the competition.
As per Sky Sports, manager Hasenhuttl has described Djenepo as a player with a lot of talent and potential, with the Austrian hailing his incredible pace, quick acceleration and eye for goal.
The manager has also gone on to suggest that the 20-year-old perfectly fits the profile of players that Southampton are looking at in the market and he would be a tailor-made fit for the kind of system that he wants to play next season.
The fans at St. Mary’s would probably keep their fingers crossed after hearing the news regarding Djenepo’s arrival at the club, given that the Saints have had little luck with their big-money signings in recent times.
The likes of Guido Carrillo, Sofiane Boufal, Mohamed Elyounoussi and Jordy Clasie have all failed to acclimatise to the Premier League and their failure has left Southampton with a lot of deadwood in their ranks to clear out.
Traditionally, Southampton have a good record of nurturing young talents and transforming them into top-quality players. Ralph Hasnehuttl also showed an inclination towards fielding youngsters since his arrival at St.Mary’s, with Matt Targett and Yan Valery enjoying a more significant role in the first-team.
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The left-winger’s pace, flair and trickery could add that much-needed X-Factor and unpredictability to Southampton’s rather tame-looking attack, and at 20, Djenepo still has lots of time on his side to make significant improvements to his game.
Hasenhuttl knows how to extract the best out of young players and the Saints could have a gem on their hands if the Malian prodigy goes on to fulfil his promise in the years to come.
