Southampton join race for France international, will move in January

Southampton manager Claude Puel is interested in a move for Rennes forward, Paul-Georges Ntep, who is available in January, according to reports from Le 10 Sport (via Tribal Football).

The France international, who made his debut in 2015, is also reportedly being watched by Puel’s former side Lyon, with whom he reached the Champions League semi-final in 2010.

The 24-year-old, who has scored 16 goals in 71 appearances for Rennes, will be sold in January as his contract is up in the summer and the French side will want bring some sort of fee in for their man.

A January move to Saints would work well for both parties, with the South Coast side needing further depth as they lose record singing, Sofaine Boufal, to the African Cup of Nations.

Puel, whose Saints side currently sit 8th in the Premier League, and are on a run of seven games unbeaten in all competitions, having conceded just one goal, is a big fan of his compatriot.