Saints seek summer swoop for Marseille marksman Gignac

Southampton, 15/8 with Coral for a top four finish, are keen to secure the signing of Marseille’s in-form striker Andre-Pierre Gignac next summer, when the Frenchman’s current contract expires.

Marseille’s towering targetman has already struck 14 times this season, and is out of contract next summer, with the prolific poacher reportedly refusing to commit to a new deal at the Stade Veledrome.

Saints boss Ronald Koeman is hoping to boost his side’s strikeforce for next season, with European football looking highly likely, after clinically climbing to third in the Premier League table this term.

English attacker Jay Rodriguez had a tremendous campaign at St Mary’s last season before picking up a serious knee injury, but the Saints striker is expected to leave the club once his recovery his complete, with league champions Manchester City a rumoured destination.

Ferocious French forward Gignac could provide that extra cover Koeman needs, with Dani Osvaldo also set for an exit, following a fall out with club officials during his current loan spell at Roberto Mancini’s struggling Inter Milan.

Magnificent marksman Gignac has fired Marcelo Bielsa’s boys to second in the Ligue 1 table, with his side currently involved in a heated battle for the French top flight title, trailing Lyon by just two points and level with reigning champions PSG.

With 56 goals in the previous two-and-a-half seasons, the France international is a proven goalscorer, and a fiery frontman that Southampton may need to help ease the goal burden on star striker Graziano Pelle.

The 29-year-old has been in a sensational run of form in front of goal for Marseille, as they aim to beat PSG and Lyon to the French league crown, and he has netted the winning goal in two of his last four outings in clashes with Guingamp and Evian respectively.

Koeman will aim to lure gallant Gignac to Southampton in the summer on a free transfer, once his current deal expires, with the Saints facing the exciting prospect of Champions League football next season.