Southampton strengthened their midfield with Sofiane Boufal and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg this summer but they also missed out on a particular Bundesliga star, report TeamTalk.com.
Revealing that the Saints were among the clubs to check on his services this summer, Red Bull Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita turned down multiple English clubs to sign for the German outfit.
Speaking to SportNet, the Guinea international claimed: “Arsenal, Manchester City and Southampton were all interested in signing me and Liverpool as well, although I did not speak with their coach.
Enjoying a two-year spell at Sadio Mane’s former club Red Bull Salzburg before signing with Leipzig this year, the 21-year-old has enjoyed a fast start to his Bundesliga career, scoring three goals in his opening six appearances for the newly promoted side.
Given the way in which Keita mentioned it’s “too early” to join a Champions League club, the midfielder is clearly grounded in wanting to achieve regular playing time at a lesser outfit for the time being.