Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen have, on Friday evening, agreed a deal with their counterparts at Southampton, over a deal for a headline member of the Saints’ attacking ranks.
The player in question? Nathan Tella.
For those not familiar with his name, Tella is a gifted 24-year-old winger, capable of lining out in a multitude of positions in the attacking third.
On the back of a hit-and-miss season in Hampshire in 2021/22, the former Arsenal talent was granted a departure last summer, linking up with Championship outfit Burnley on a year-loan loan.
And, during his time at Turf Moor, Tella provided onlookers with a firm reminder of his abilities, when firing on all cylinders.
All told, across 39 appearances in England’s 2nd tier, the Englishman racked up a head-turning 17 goals and five assists, playing a key role in Burnley’s eventual promotion back to the Premier League.
Tella, in turn, went on to link back up parent club Southampton, since notching a further goal and assist in three outings to start the new season.
Such stellar production, though, was always likely to pique attentions at clubs across the continent.
And, as alluded to above, on Friday, one such outfit have moved in decisive fashion, to bring Tella in.
As per a report from transfer expert David Ornstein of The Athletic:
‘Bayer Leverkusen have agreed a deal with Southampton to sign winger Nathan Tella. The Bundesliga side will pay their Championship counterparts £20million and include a sell-on clause.’
The attacker, it is understood, has agreed to the terms of a five-year contract at the BayArena, where he is set to replace Aston Villa’s Moussa Diaby.
Leverkusen beat out competition from all of West Ham United, Stade Rennais, and Burnley to clinch his signature.
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