Southampton are preparing to barge into the race for Lille full-back Dijibril Sidibe, who is also wanted by Monaco and Sunderland.

Monaco are in talks to sign Sidibe from Lille after putting in an offer of €12m for the defender; Lille's asking price for Sidibe is set at €15m.




It has been claimed Sunderland could offer the full €15m for Sidibe, but another English club are now moving to become involved in the race.

Indeed, according to French magazine Le 10 Sport, new Southampton boss Claude Puel has made clear to the south coast club that he wants Sidibe adding to his squad in time for the new season.
 


Puel has contacts at Lille, having managed the northern France club between 2002 and 2008, and may well try to put them to good use for Sidibe.

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Sidibe is a consistent performer for Lille, able to operate both as a right-back and a left-back, and played in all but one of the club's 38 Ligue 1 matches last season.

Puel meanwhile took over at Southampton recently, signing a three-year contract. Last term he led Nice to a lofty fourth place finish in the French top flight and has seen Sidibe's qualities at close quarters.