English Premier League club Southampton and La Liga outfit Celta Vigo have come to an agreement that will ensure Sofiane Boufal will join the Celestes on a season-long loan. Boufal arrived in the UK in 2016 and penned a contract with the Saints following his departure from Ligue 1 club Lille. He found the back of the net four times while being capped 59 times by the St. Mary club.
Towards the final proceedings of the forgone league season, Boufal and Saints’ manager Mark Hughes failed to see eye to eye, which lead to a fallout between the pair. It is understood that Boufal does not link to any of Hughes’ future plans at the club and if the midfielder was to find a way back into the squad, he would have to take the first step of making amends for his part in the fallout or wait for Hughes’ tenure with the Saints to run dry.
The move will suit all three parties concerned as Boufal will receive the game time he clearly desires, provided he is capable of impressing the coaching staff in Spain. Southampton and Mark Hughes will have one less controversial player on the squad to minimize the odds of the dressing room to fall apart with disharmony. Whereas Celta Vigo will be gaining a quality player who has quite a lot to offer to his new team when it comes to being creative and trying to set up a goal scoring chance.
A statement on the Southampton website narrated: “We wish Sofiane good luck for the season ahead.” The agreement between both clubs was confirmed on Friday. Boufal must take whatever chance is provided to him to make an impact at Celta so that his credibility does not dwindle ever since the negative setback he had brought on himself with the confrontation between himself and Hughes.
Southampton have made a smart move by allowing the player to leave on loan. This way the Saints get to keep the player on their books and always have the chance to call him back if all is concluded well between Hughes and the midfielder. If results do not go his way, Hughes could end up departing the St. Mary’s Stadium and perhaps then the new coach will offer Boufal a way back into the team considering that the Moroccan does have plenty still left to offer from his tank.
Read More: Fulham Launch Second Bid For 22 Y/O Southampton Fullback: Can Jokanovic Get His Man?
Southampton have also concluded the capture of Mohamed Elyounoussi from FC Basel of Switzerland, and the player might serve as a cog to fill the void left by the departure of Boufal. The Moroccan ace must use this loan period as an opportunity to self-reflect and realize that one must never clash with the person who is in charge of his professional career.
