Southampton are tracking Cameroon-born France defender Ibrahim Amadou according to a report in London.

The 25-year-old energetic center-back has been impressive since joining Lille four years ago thus attracting a number of Premier League outfits.

Amadou was a target for Southampton’s rivals Crystal Palace during the summer transfer window but it appears as though Mauriccio Pellegrinno’s side, who are in desperate need of a defender, have now joined the race.

Lille had already put a price tag for the star defender and are said to be demanding a hefty sum of £16 million.

Born in Cameroon,Amodou is a youth exponent from AS Nancy. He made his Ligue 2 debut at 3 August 2013 against AJ Auxerre. He replaced François Bellugou after 78 minutes in a goalless draw. At 2 August 2014, he scored his first league goal against US Orléans.

The defender received call-up to the central-African nation in 2017 but declined to play for the Indomitable Lions at the African Cup of Nations.