Southampton believed they had sorted out Armel Bella-Kotchap’s future, as it was unlikely he would feature under Russell Martin this season.
Bella-Kotchap joined Southampton for £8.6 million from Bochum in the summer of 2022 and made an impressive start in England, even earning a surprise call-up to the German national team. However, his progress was derailed by a recurring shoulder injury, causing him to miss significant portions of the season, which ended with Southampton’s relegation from the Premier League.
With the upcoming Euros on home soil, Bella-Kotchap was not eager to spend last season in the Championship and secured a loan move to PSV Eindhoven. Despite PSV winning the Eredivisie title, Bella-Kotchap only managed three league starts due to ongoing injury issues.
Southampton has been looking to sell the 22-year-old this season and seemed to have accomplished that by agreeing to a £12.8 million deal with Hoffenheim.
Southampton sale of Armel Bella-Kotchap in doubt as issue with Hoffenheim medical
If not for his injury problems, Southampton could have likely secured a much higher fee for Armel Bella-Kotchap this summer. Borussia Dortmund was among the clubs linked with the defender, who had a £25 million relegation release clause last year.
Although Bella-Kotchap remains a highly-rated player, his injury history makes him a risky signing, complicating Southampton’s efforts to facilitate his transfer. When it appeared that Southampton had finally arranged his exit with a £12.8 million deal to Hoffenheim, the move hit a major snag.
Reports indicate that Bella-Kotchap failed his medical at Hoffenheim, not due to his previous shoulder injury, which was surgically addressed last season, but because of a newly discovered heart issue. This unexpected condition has put the transfer in doubt. According to *Bild*, the heart issue was unknown to the player and is now jeopardizing the deal. *Sky Sports Germany* also reported this development but noted that the deal is not completely off the table, as all parties are seeking a solution.
Southampton need Bella-Kotchap move to go through to increase transfer funds
This news is both unexpected and troubling for all parties involved. For Armel Bella-Kotchap, the revelation is concerning not just for his health but also because it disrupts his opportunity to revive his career in Germany. Hoffenheim, meanwhile, faces a second setback in a week, having also encountered medical issues with Oumar Solet that threaten that transfer as well.
For Southampton, the potential collapse of this deal means they may have less financial flexibility for the remainder of the transfer window. With the need to bolster their attack and resolve their goalkeeper situation, every bit of funding is crucial for the Saints this summer.
There is still hope that the deal can be salvaged and that the health issue detected is not as serious as initially feared. However, this development adds another layer of difficulty to what has already been a challenging period for Bella-Kotchap and Southampton.
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