SAINTS have reportedly agreed terms with VfL Bochum's German under-21 international Armel Bella-Kotchap, according to reports from Germany.
Bella-Kotchap looks set to become Saints' third signing of the summer, after the arrivals of goalkeepers Gavin Bazunu and Mateusz Lis, with an undisclosed fee apparently agreed with the Bundesliga side.
A centre-back by trade, Bella-Kotchap has supposedly signed a four-year deal with Saints as reported by Sky Sports Deutschland.
Last season the 20-year-old made 22 top-flight appearances, helping Bochum avoid the drop in their first season back in the Bundesliga after an 11-year absence.
In total, he has made 73 appearances for Bochum since making his debut as an 18-year-old in April 2019.
The son of former Cameroonian international Cyrille Florent Bella, Bella-Kotchap is eligible to play for Germany, Cameroon, and France, due to the fact he was born in Paris.
Numerous Premier League clubs have been linked with the 6ft 2in defender, with Manchester United, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City all previously linked.
Prior to the opening of the window, it was alleged that Bochum would want at least €10 million for their talented centre-back.
It is believed that Saints agreed to met those demands, allowing them to sign the defender ahead of interested Premier League and Bundesliga clubs.
A medical was completed overnight, whilst Saints have an option to extend Bella-Kotchap's contract into a fifth year.
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Bella-Kotchap turned heads amongst scouts with a solid display against Bayern Munich in the DFB Pokal, Germany’s FA Cup, when he was just 18.
Described as a “hulking presence”, Bella-Kotchap’s current deal with Bochum expires in the Summer 2024.
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