Most expensive second tier player signed: Southampton want Bayer to pay club-record fee for Tella

German Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen are working on a deal to sign Southampton's Nigerian winger Nathan Tella.

According to Sky Deutschland, via Sky Sports UK, Southampton would demand a fee of £21m-£26m (approximately N20.5b-N25.4b) to consider selling the Hale End Academy product. 

If the deal were to go through, Tella would become Bayer Leverkusen's most expensive acquisition in the 2023-2024 summer transfer window, surpassing Victor Boniface and Granit Xhaka who cost €20m and €15m respectively.

In addition, the deal would be a club-record fee for Bayer Leverkusen - the highest fee they would pay for a player representing a second-tier club. 

Despite speculation surrounding his future at the St Mary's Stadium, Tella is in the plans of manager Russell Martin for this season given that the winger has started all the three games played by the club in the Championship.

Bayer Leverkusen are keen on signing Tella as a replacement for Moussa Diaby who moved to Aston Villa this summer. 

Personal terms should not be an issue as Tella fancies a move to Bayer but the German club have yet to reach a club-to-club agreement with Southampton.

The 24-year-old is under contract at The Saints until June 30, 2025.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit : southamptonfc.com

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