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Southampton boss urges Kamaldeen Sulemana to stay amid Genoa interest

Southampton manager Ivan Juric has expressed his determination to retain club-record signing Kamaldeen Sulemana despite interest from Genoa, managed by Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira.

Sulemana, who joined the Saints for £22 million from Rennes two years ago, has struggled for consistency, scoring just two league goals.

However, he ended a 19-month goal drought in Southampton’s recent 3-0 FA Cup win over Swansea, where he also registered an assist. The performance highlighted his potential to contribute to the team’s Premier League survival bid.

Juric, who secured his first win since taking charge in December, is confident Sulemana can play a pivotal role in the club’s battle to overturn a 10-point gap to safety.

“Sulemana in the last 20 days, he worked hard; he was not in very good shape,” said Juric. “And now it’s the first game that I am satisfied with him. He can give us a hand, he’s a young player, and he needs confidence but he can give us a hand. I know everything about Sulemana when he played in France and the problems that he had here.”

Meanwhile, Genoa has reportedly identified Sulemana as a January transfer target to bolster their attack. Vieira’s interest in the Ghanaian winger comes amid the Italian side’s need for attacking reinforcements. However, Juric believes keeping Sulemana at St Mary’s is crucial to Southampton’s immediate goals.

Sulemana’s recent form offers renewed hope for the Saints, who face Manchester United on Thursday in a bid to reignite their survival campaign.

For now, Juric remains focused on building a competitive squad to turn the season around.

Source:Fiilasports/ghanasoccernet

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