Southampton have been linked with the rising star of Ligue 1 football.
Southampton have joined the race to sign coveted Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile, according to SoccerLink.
Badiashile made his name in England for finding himself on the wrong end of a rather withering Thierry Henry stare last season but the 18-year-old has caught the eye in France for very different reasons.
The France U19 star made 20 Ligue 1 appearances for Monaco last season, impressing with his athleticism and his reading of the game – even if his chair tucking skills could do with some work.
SoccerLink claims that he has offers of around £26 million from clubs across the channel with Wolves apparently interested. And Southampton have now thrown their hat into the ring, alongside Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, Valencia and Real Betis.
The report adds that Monaco’s vice president Oleg Petrov is determined to keep Badiashile at the Stade Louis II, even if manager Leonardo Jardim cannot offer him a guaranteed place in the starting XI.
According to L’Equipe, Monaco want £35 million for Badiashile.
Interestingly, Wolves signed Jesus Vallejo on loan from Real Madrid at the weekend and, according to La Lazio Siamo Noi, they have agreed a £6.5 million deal with Lazio for Brazilian centre-back Wallace.
Benfica’s Ruben Dias is a target too, say the Express and Star.
So with Wolves focused on other options, that could make Southampton’s task that little bit easier.
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