According to L’Équipe, Rennes midfielder Kamaldeen Sulemana (20) has chosen to join Southampton over Everton – the player will move for €25m from Rennes. David Ornstein reports that he will join with a €3m bonus included in a 4.5 year contract, with his medical set to take place in France.
Rennes had accepted offers from Everton and Southampton for the Ghanaian forward. The transfer fee was expected to be around €25m and the player had to choose between the two Premier League sides.
Everton became the third club to enter the race for Sulemana, competing with Southampton and PSV for the Ghana international’s signing. PSV had made an offer of €15m, which could potentially have risen to €17m with add-ons, while Southampton had put forward a bid worth €20m. Everton’s verbal bid was reportedly set at €19m, although Rennes had set their asking price at €25m after buying the forward from Nordsjaelland for €15m a year and a half ago. Sulemana’s desire was to leave, although it remained to be seen whether Rennes’ valuation would be met.
All three clubs were in discussions with the , with another Premier League side Bournemouth also keeping an eye on Sulemana. Since making the move to France, the wide man had scored six goals and four assists in 47 appearances, finding the net only once this campaign.
