Southampton beat Leeds United to Sekou Mara signing as medical scheduled this weekend
Leeds United have lost out in the race to sign Bordeaux forward Sekou Mara with Southampton set to sign the French talent, according to The Mirror.
The newspaper reported via their print edition on Friday (22 July, page 57) that the Saints have reached an agreement to sign the 19-year-old, who’ll undergo a medical on the south coast this weekend before finalising personal terms.
It is understood that Southampton have beaten Leeds, Newcastle and Borussia Monchengladbach to the signing of f the France Under-20 international,
Annoying
Although it doesn’t seem as though Leeds’ pursuit of Mara went anything beyond simple interest, it’s annoying to see a talented young player head to a Premier League rival.
Southampton have a good academy but Mara surely has his eyes on playing for the first-team on the south coast.
Last season, he played 26 times in Ligue 1 for Bordeaux and scored six goals.
It was his first proper full season in senior football and still managed to end the campaign with five goals in seven despite Bordeaux’s relegation from the top-flight.
Bordeaux are in serious financial difficulties and have been dropped down to the third-tier of French football as punishment so it’s no surprise to see one of their best players leaving.
While some Leeds fans might scoff at Mara’s goalscoring record and lack of experience, the fact that he did that well for a team that finished bottom speaks volumes.
We need another striker this summer and Mara is someone who could offer some serious depth to Jesse Marsch’s options up front.
Unfortunately, he’s off to St Mary’s.
We’ll keep an eye on his progress there because we have a bad feeling this youngster could be seen as one who got away from Victor Orta.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are ready to sign off on this major new signing but it’s dependent upon one factor.