Southampton targeting move for French midfielder William Vainqueur

Premier League outfit Southampton are targeting a move for French midfielder William Vainqueur this summer, according to L’Equipe (via Sport Witness).

The 28-year-old has spent the season on loan at Ligue 1 side Marseille from Italian giants Roma, and has performed well in his homeland with 26 league starts this term, helping his side to sixth place in the table.

And with the midfield enforcer’s contract up at the end of next season, interest has been mounting in the Frenchman, with Claude Puel’s Southampton one side reportedly keeping tabs on the 28-year-old.

The Saints reportedly approached the player during the January transfer window to learn more about Vainqueur’s situation, and it appears that the South Coast outfit are looking at bringing him to St Mary’s this summer.

Puel’s men look set to record a fourth successive top-half finish in the Premier League this season, yet the Frenchman is clearly thinking about how he can take his side to the next level, and perhaps sustain a challenge to the top seven, or indeed go on another domestic cup run.

And a signing like Vainqueur, who has proven his quality across Europe with spells at Marseille, Roma, and Dynamo Moscow, could be a step in the right direction.