SAINTS are targeting Hatem Ben Arfa, according to reports in the French press.

The attacker has already experienced the Premier League with limited success.

A miserable time at Newcastle and on loan at Hull saw him struggle with life in the top-flight before he departed at the end of last season.

However, with his former Nice manager Claude Puel expected to join Saints as manager, it is being reported that Ben Arfa could be on Saints’ shopping list.

Despite his failures during his previous spell in England, he returned home to play for Nice and was a revelation, netting 18 goals last term.

That has seen the 29-year-old’s stock rise to a new high and was included in the French national team’s reserve list for Euro 2016.

Ben Arfa’s contract expires at the end of June and is fully expected to depart the Allianz Riviera.

Nice’s president Jean-Pierre Rivere has revealed himself that he believes Ben Arfa will go.

Ben Arfa was said to be keen on a switch to French giants Paris Saint-Germain, but some media outlets are reporting that he is set to complete a move to Sevilla by the end of the week.

However, that hasn’t stopped L’Equipe linking Ben Arfa with a reunion with his former boss Puel at St Mary’s.