Sources: Southampton deal to sign Vitinha hijacked as he agrees Marseille move
Marseille have hijacked Southampton in their move for Braga striker Vitinha and he is headed for France to finalise the deal, sources have told Football Insider.
The Saints triggered Vitinha’s £26.2million release clause as they looked to close a deadline-day deal following extensive talks.
But the Premier League club have been ambushed by Marseille and they are now confident of signing him by Tuesday night’s cut-off.
Southampton have now turned their attention to signing a different striker.
Vitinha has become a star in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, scoring seven and assisting a further three goals this season in just 17 league appearances.
The 22-year-old also impressed during Braga’s Europa League campaign, scoring four goals in five games including a hat-trick in the 3-3 draw with Union SG.
The young forward is enjoying just his third season as a professional after graduating from Braga’s academy in 2021.
Vitinha spent his youth at Casa Benfica and Aguias Alvite academies before Braga swooped in for his signature.
He spent three years in the youth setup and then one in the Braga B side where he scored 13 goals in 15 games.
His remarkable scoring record saw him swiftly promoted to the first team where he has grown to be a key player for Braga.
Nathan Jones is in desperate need of more firepower at St Mary’s, with the Saints sat bottom of the Premier League having scored just 17 goals in 20 matches.
In other news, Leeds United star Jack Harrison rejects approach from Leicester City