Bournemouth have slapped in a bid for former Leeds United forward Max Gradel, but it falls short of his current club Saint-Etienne's asking price.
The newly promoted Cherries are keen to snap up the forward, who hit the back of the net 17 times in Ligue 1 last term, producing a sensational campaign with Les Verts.
Gradel is himself looking to head back to England, where he enjoyed a loan spell with Bournemouth in the 2007/08 campaign.
But the Cherries will have to do better with their bid, which stands at €5m, according to French sports daily L'Equipe.
Saint-Etienne are asking double that amount, €10m, and are in no mood to compromise.
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The French outfit are now hoping that Gradel does not try to put pressure on to accept Bournemouth's offer.
The 27-year-old has already reached his own agreement with Bournemouth, but is under contract with Saint-Etienne until 2017.
He joined Saint-Etienne from Leeds in 2011.
