Saints are suddenly the destination of choice for Europe's up and coming players judging by the latest player to be linked with the club.

If the Europa League does one thing for Saints this season it is that it has enabled them to be attractive to a certain level of player on the continent, certainly a far higher standard than they have been able to go in for with any serious intent in the past.

The latest of these is Max -Alain Gradel a player who has played in England before for Leicester, Bournemouth & Leeds but has really blossomed since moving to St Etienne in 2011.

Now at 27 and in his prime he is looking to move back to England and this time to the Premier League and Saints are rumoured to be in pole position to sin him.

Described as a player blessed with Ronaldinho dribbling he has now added goals to his game scoring 17 in 31 gases for St Etienne last term.

With two years left on his contract it is believed that he could be bought for around £6 million and with Ronald Koeman looking for a decent wide option to supplement his midfield the Gradel could be the option.

Photo: Action Images

ItchenNorth added 10:03 - Jun 20 Gradel looks the business. Mane and Gardel either side of Pelle would be frightening or even just with Mane up top in a two; imagine that!
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ItchenNorth added 10:03 - Jun 20 Gradel looks the business. Mane and Gardel either side of Pelle would be frightening or even just with Mane up top in a two; imagine that!
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brady100 added 10:18 - Jun 20 Hope this isn't true, lightweight and a diver he was very run of the mill in England and has only really had one season of note in France.
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cheltenhamsaint added 10:44 - Jun 20 Don't know the player but I think you are correct in that Saints have taken a significant stride forward with Europa League qualification in what we have to offer. It certainly puts us ahead of the queue for the players we want if we are in competition with other clubs of our standing. Year on year participation with evidence that the U21 development players will get some playing time in the Europa League will further enhance the academy, particularly those in the 16 to 18 age bracket who are considering their first professional contracts, either with us or at other clubs

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corkcitysaint added 15:23 - Jun 20 This is where we want to be as a club, attracting players. Dare I say it, being in a position where we can choose to buy or not to buy a player rather than being forced to as our options are limited or the pool of players wanting to come is smaller.
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IWOZTHERE added 11:46 - Jun 21 Yes we want to attract players but we've also got to keep current players happy. A really fluid contract review system could help to avoid having to 'give players away' in the last year of their contracts. I'm sure that's Les's brief anyway but it didn't cut any ice with your namesake (corkcitysaint). Personally I think it was a big mistake to let him go whatever the financial implications, with the Schneiderlin situation looming.

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