Claude Puel is rumoured to be ready to break Saints transfer record with raid on his former club.
Puel is being linked with bringing one of his last signings to the Premier League, Jean Michael Seri was signed by Puel in the summer of 2015 from Portugese side Pacos De Ferreira.
Seri who will be 26 in July is something of a pocket battleship in midfield only standing at 5ft 5 inches.
However his height does not hamper his playing style and he plays in a deep lying role for Nice using his pace and strength to win the ball and get it forward quickly.
Saints are being reported as being in competition with Leicester to sign the player who has 13 caps for the Ivory Coast and this could push the price up.
His current value is reported as being around £10.2 million, however the press are saying that his value to Nice is such that it would take over double that to persuade them to sell, his release clause is around £33 million although neither Saints or Leicester would appear keen to do business at that price.
At the moment the rumours seem more those of the type stoked up by the players agent with the whisper that both English clubs have already contacted the french side.