Saints are said to be interested in a French Central defender who is reported to have turned down the Dutch side preferring the Premier League.

Saints are being linked with Christopher Jullien currently at Toulouse, the 6ft 5 central defender is said by French media outlet Le Depeche to be talking to three Premier League clubs after turning down Ajax in his desire to move to the Premier League.

Burnley and Crystal Palace are also in the frame with the fee being quoted as around 10 million euros.

Julien was linked with Saints a year ago, however the club were probably put off at that stage by a relatively poor track record, up until 2016 he had only played in the second tier of French football, but in the summer of that year he joined Toulouse and hasn't looked back.

Now with two solid years behind him he is beginning to attract attention, although Le Depeche state that at the moment it is only talks that have been held and no club has made a firm offer.

Back in April 2017 Jullien was linked with Saints and was described as a "strong un" in an article that said that then Saints boss Claude Puel was considering three options, a young un, a strong un and a safe option, with Jullien at 6ft 5 certainly that.

He could slot into a Saints defence that lacked someone to win the ball too many times last year and would be a good partner for Wesley Hoedt who is a more ball playing central defender.

The young un suggested was Joris Gnagnon of Rennes and he has had a solid season in France and now at 21 has as much experience as Jullien in the top flight of France.

The safe option was Romain Thomas of Angers, another big defender he is now 29 and although West brom have tried to sign him on a couple of occasions he has remained at Angers since 2013.

Saints have a good track record of getting in central defenders from the French league who have previously been relatively unknown, Michael Svensson and Dejan Lovren being two notable signings.

Photo: Action Images

wibbersda added 13:37 - Jun 15 Sounds promising and it means Nick, you might finally get what you been pushing the last 2 years!
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dirk_doone added 17:20 - Jun 15 It may not be all Jullien's fault but Toulouse have an awful defense and finished 18th in Ligue 1. Ben Gibson would be a better bet, although more expensive.
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BuyEastleighFC4aBtea added 01:40 - Jun 16 I'd go for the young un Joris, Gnagnon I've seen him play he's quality quick good with his feet too. Check him on u tube.
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SaintBrock added 21:36 - Jun 16 Doesn't sound very promising to me, certainly no improvement over the guys we have already. Not all change is good.
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