Boufal feeling the love at Saints

Southampton broke their transfer record to bring £16million Sofiane Boufal to St Mary’s and the Moroccan has revealed that it was their long-time pursuit that attracted him to the club.

Boufal scored 11 times for Lille in Ligue 1, helping them to fifth place and a spot in the Europa League.

The 22-year-old joins new manager Claude Puel in crossing the channel to join Saints and Boufal says that everyone at the club had been desperate for him to join.

                                                                            (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

Everyone loves to be in demand and Boufal says that alone was enough to bring him to the south coast.

“I think for me it’s the best club, because I see the director, the coach and the fans and they are all excited to work with me,” he said.

“I have contract with other clubs, but when I listen and I see Southampton – they wanted me.

“I spoke with the coach and the whole club, and for me it’s the club that wanted me not just yesterday, but for four or five months.

“I can see the motivation of the directors and the club to sign me. For me that’s very important.”