Southampton target ‘could play for PSG’ as manager rules out blocking £10.5m move

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The good news for Will Still and Southampton is that, with the transfer deadline approaching, the relentless speculation surrounding Mateus Fernandes will come to an end, one way or another.

But the man in charge at St Mary’s is not the only one who may be keen to overcome the distractions of the transfer window.

Eduard Spertsyan of Krasnodar and Finn Azaz of Middlesbrough have both been mentioned as potential replacements as West Ham remain hot on Mateus Fernandes’ heels.

Manager Rob Edwards confirmed over the weekend that Middlesbrough rejected Southampton’s Azaz bid, rumoured to be around £12 million.

According to the Southern Daily Echo, Southampton are trying to sign Eduard Spertsyan as well, to the tune of £10.5 million. The Russian-born Armenia international’s agent has already admitted that Spertsyan ‘has a specific interest in leaving for Southampton‘, believing that the Saints will be playing Premier League football again next season.

Unsurprisingly, Krasnodar’s head coach, Murad Musayev, is growing a little tired of the constant speculation even if he understands why the club’s Russian Premier League-winning captain is a man in such high demand.

Murad Musayev will not stop Eduard Spertsyan leaving Krasnodar for Southampton

Speaking to Match TV, Musayev insists that Krasnodar will not stand in Spertsyan’s way if Southampton make an offer they cannot refuse.

On the other hand, he is frustrated by the manner in which the 25-year-old playmaker has been dragged through the gossip columns, highlighting a host of former RPL stars who struggled away from Russia.

“I want to say that ‘Edik’ has been at the club for a long time, we have a very trusting relationship. We are not keeping him by force. Everything that will happen in the end is our joint decision,” Musayev says.

“It is strange to me that you, the press, want Spertsyan to leave. I think that no country in the world would want to lose one of the most outstanding players in the championship.

“Fedor Chalov, Anton Miranchuk, Arsen Zakharyan left, and what happened as a result? Did they become stronger when they left? Anton Miranchuk returned and will continue to delight us with his play. We must respect our championship and our players and not write that someone should leave.

“If there is an offer that suits everyone, as was the case with Matvey Safonov, then okay. We will shake hands and thank him.”

Former Ligue 1 ace Gaetan Perrin says Spertsyan can play for PSG

Speaking of Safonov, the former Krasnodar goalkeeper is currently playing back-up to Lucas Chevalier at European champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Gaetan Perrin, the Lyon-born winger who left Auxerre to join Spertsyan in Russia last month, sees no reason why his teammate could not aspire to the same level as Safonov.

“Spertsyan could play in a team of PSG’s level,” Perrin tells Sport 24. “Eduard is a great footballer. If he teams up with other top players from PSG on the field, he will be able to play good football.

“I would like Spertsyan to stay in Krasnodar. But at the same time, I hope that he will be able to take the next step in his career and go to Europe.”

While confirming that Southampton have ‘spoken’ to Manchester City regarding right-back Issa Kabore, Will Still admitted that progress regarding Spertsyan has been ‘slow’ with negotiations proving to be ‘difficult’.

The Saints certainly looked like a team in need of an attacking spark during Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat by Championship pacesetters Stoke City.