Southampton should beat Watford to sign Enock Kwateng next summer

According to the Mirror, Southampton and Watford are keeping tabs on Nantes right-back Enock Kwateng, with both the teams looking to strengthen their backline next summer.

The Premier League duo sent their scouts to watch the 21-year-old in action for Nantes last week and Kwateng might be available for a bargain price of around £4.5million next summer, claims the Mirror.

A youth product of FC Nantes, Kwateng rose through the youth ranks and made his professional debut for his boyhood club back in 2015 but he struggled to establish himself as a regular starter due to stiff competition for places. After making just 10 league appearances in the last three seasons, the youngster has managed to make his breakthrough this term and has already made 21 appearances in the Ligue 1.

Born in France to parents of Ghanaian descent, Kwateng has represented France at all youth levels. Along with the likes of Issa Diop, Kylian Mbappe and Jean Kevin-Augustin, Kwateng was a part of the French U19 team that won the UEFA U19 European Championship in 2016.

Kwateng has quite a good profile for a young player and he has shown this season that he is capable of performing at the highest level week after week.

A fast, agile and powerful offensive-minded full-back, Kwateng is capable of moving up and down the pitch to contribute equally to both attack and defence. Known as an all-action and versatile defender, Kwateng is always keen to stick his foot out to tackle the opposition, whilst also providing an attacking outlet with his pace, silky dribbling skills, good close control and crossing ability. Furthermore, he is also capable of filling in the role of a makeshift centre-back.

Kwateng averages 2.8 tackles, 3.3 interceptions, 0.8 key passes and 0.7 crosses per game in Ligue 1 this term, figures which are very impressive for a young full-back. He has completed 58 of his attempted 85 tackles so far this season, and although his composure and concentration leave something to be desired at times, he is a really exciting young prospect.

To put things into perspective, Southampton should beat Watford and aim to have the final say in this transfer saga. The Saints find themselves languishing in the relegation zone heading into the last quarter of the season and they definitely need some positive transfer activity ahead of the next season to reshape their squad.

While Watford are well-stocked in the right-back department with the likes of Daryl Janmaat, Kiko Femenia and Marc Navarro in the squad, Southampton are in dire need of adding a right-back next summer. Cedric Soares has been loaned out to Inter Milan with an option to buy at the end of the season, leaving Yan Valery as the only realistic choice for manager Ralph Hasenhuttl.

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Hence, it would be a no-brainer for the Saints to sign Enock Kwateng next summer if Cedric Soares leaves permanently.