SAINTS have been linked with one of manager Claude Puel's former strikers.

The club are one of the frontrunners to sign Monaco forward Valere Germain, according to Seville-based newspaper Estadio Deportivo.

Real Betis have also been linked with a move for Germain, a 26-year-old striker who spent last season on loan to Nice who, at the time, were managed by Puel.

Whilst at Nice, Germain scored 14 goals in 38 appearance. 

New manager Puel has already made one signing - landing Bayern Munich's Danish international midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

Norwich's England under-21 winger Nathan Redmond had previoulsy been signed when Saints were without a manager, Ronald Koeman having left for Everton.

Germain has been at Monaco since joining from Chateauroux in 2005.

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