Mario Lemina is understood to be on Newcastle United's transfer shortlist this summer.
Magpies head of recruitment Steve Nickson monitored the Gabon international's progress on loan at Fulham in the closing stages of last season.
Lemina appears to be surplus to requirements at Southampton after struggling to make an impact since his club-record switch from Juventus in 2017.
READ MORE: Ambitious Newcastle United verdict fans will love
However, Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl's recent comments suggest the 27-year-old could yet have a future on the south coast after impressing at Craven Cottage.
Newcastle are believed to be operating on a limited budget this window, and a potential bargain deal for Lemina could appeal to Steve Bruce with midfield reinforcements on the agenda.
The central midfielder has struggled to make the impact expected from him since his move to the Premier League four years ago. But the words of former manager and Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa suggest the Magpies target could yet prove to be a success.
It was during the highly-respected coach's stint at Ligue 1 outfit Marseille that Lemina rose to prominence, becoming a regular and earning a move to Juventus in 2015.
Bielsa predicted a number of his Marseille stars - including Lemina and future United winger Florian Thauvin - would go on to earn lucrative moves to Europe's top leagues.
He said in April 2015: "The French players have no limits preventing them from being part of any coach's project.
"[Benjamin] Mendy, [Florian] Thauvin, Brice [Dj Djedje], [Gianelli] Imbula, Lemina, Michy [Batshuayi]: they will all end up at big clubs in major championships. 30m
"They will all eventually be bought for €30m."
On Lemina himself, Bielsa praised the young midfielder for his capability to contribute in both attack and defence, and labelled him a unique talent.
Bielsa said: "He is a different type of footballer to the majority of footballers.
"He knows how to attack and defend. He offers a lot of solutions to the coach and his team."
Lemina is entering the final year of his contract at St Mary's, and the Saints could be open to a knockdown fee or a loan to clear the 27-year-old off the wage bill.
