Southampton approach Marseille over loan move for Spanish right-back Pol Lirola with the 24-year-old viewed as cover for the in-demand Kyle Walker-Peters
- Club enquire Marseille over the availability of the right-back this summer
- Kyle Walker-Peters is of interest to a number of top Premier League clubs
- Southampton lost their opening fixture away at Spurs and could face tough year
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Southampton have asked about a loan deal for Marseille right-back Pol Lirola.
The 24-year-old former Spain U21 international is viewed as a defender who can cover for Kyle Walker-Peters.
Southampton have fielded interest in Walker-Peters from clubs such as Chelsea but value the 25-year-old at £40m.
Pol Lirola is of interest to Southampton as they look to bolster their ranks after tough first fixture
Thomas Tuchel remains keen to rebuild his back four and the right wing-back spot remains an area of his concern despite appearing to possess a bit of depth in the area.
The Spanish right-back is at Marseille after spending five years in Spain with Juventus, Sassuolo and Fiorentina.
Born in Catalonia, Lirola has represented the region once after playing for some of Spain’s age group sides.
The Spanish right-back is viewed as cover for Kyle Walker-Peters should the Englishman stay
Southampton travelled to Tottenham on the opening Saturday of the Premier League season and were roundly beaten by a Spurs side in the mood having enjoyed a fruitful pre-season.
Despite taking the lead through James Ward-Prowse, Southampton rarely looked competitive on a difficult afternoon at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Walker-Peters started at his old club on Saturday afternoon.
Lirola played in Italy for a number of years before moving to Marseille initially on loan and then permanently
Speaking after the game, Saints coach Ralph Hasenhuttl bemoaned the gap between the two sides and said that while Tottenham are able to ‘switch to the next gear’, his side do not seem capable of doing so.
‘It felt a little bit like the opponent switched into the next gear and we cannot follow,’ he said.
‘This was frustrating to see how big the gap is between the two teams.
‘After the first goal we had the feeling they were absolutely in the game and they smashed us with their crosses and we couldn’t defend.’
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