HOFFENHEIM have agreed a deal with Saints for the permanent transfer of defender Armel Bella-Kotchap, the Daily Echo understands.

The Bundesliga side will pay Saints £12.8million for the full German international, who is keen to leave the club this summer.

Bella-Kotchap made 26 appearances in his first season at St Mary's after arriving from VFL Bochum for less than £10million in June 2022.

However, he spent last season out on loan at eventual Eredivisie winners PSV following a summer deadline day move to Bayern Munich breaking down.

Bella-Kotchap underwent surgery on a shoulder injury which blighted his time at Saints and made just four league appearances in the Netherlands.

The talented 22 year old has played no part in pre-season under Saints manager Russell Martin and an exit has looked inevitable.

Saints and Hoffenheim have agreed a £12.8million deal to see the defender move back to his home country permanently.

A medical is booked for Tuesday with a view to finalising the move swiftly. Saints are already well-stocked in centre-backs.

Hoffenheim, under the management of American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo, finished seventh in the German Bundesliga last season.