Southampton Nears Record €9m Signing Leo Scienza Amid Competition

Southampton is actively strengthening their squad in pursuit of a swift return to the Premier League, targeting key players such as Issa Doumbia and Leo Scienza. The Saints have tabled an offer of around €10 million for Venezia's midfielder Doumbia, competing with clubs like Espanyol and Istanbul Basaksehir, while negotiations continue ahead of the transfer deadline. For the attacking midfielder role, Southampton has outpaced rivals including Paris FC to secure a deal for Heidenheim's Leo Scienza, reportedly agreeing on a fee between €8 million and €10 million, potentially making him the Bundesliga club's most expensive sale. Despite Paris FC's significant offer and appeal of living in Paris, Scienza has shown preference for joining Southampton, with the player expected to undergo a medical soon. Southampton's transfer activity reflects a strategic focus on reinforcing midfield and wing positions after losing key players like Mateus Fernandes and Tyler Dibling. These signings, alongside others like Finn Aziz and Caspar Jander, indicate a concerted effort by manager Will Still to build a competitive squad for the upcoming season.