HITC Sport understands Southampton are eyeing French midfielder.
Southampton team group
Southampton are lining up a move for Lorient sensation Matteo Guendouzi, HITC Sport understands from sources close to the club.
Guendouzi is regarded as one of the best young talents in France after bursting onto the scene with Lorient last season.
The central midfielder broke into the Lorient side last season, making nine appearances in all competitions for the club.
His performances for Lorient have not gone unnoticed among rivals in Ligue 1 and several sides across Europe.
Southampton have been keeping tabs on Guendouzi’s progress and they are hoping to steal a march on their rivals by taking him to St Mary’s.
Southampton see Guendouzi as a potential star in the making and they are determined to win the race for the teenager’s signature.
St Mary’s Southampton
Guendouzi, who is of Moroccan descent, is a French youth international and is currently playing for them at Under-18 level.
Lorient are reluctant to lose one of their prize assets, but they are resigned to losing him following their relegation from Ligue 1 after their defeat to Troyes in the relegation play-offs.
Guendouzi still has two years to run on his current deal, but Lorient won’t be able to reject a sizeable offer for the all-action midfielder this summer.
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