Nice and Rennes have both reportedly identified Southampton winger Sofiane Boufal as a possible transfer target.
In 2016, Southampton paid £16m to sign the player from Lille but just three goals have been scored in 23 starts and 27 substitute appearances in the Premier League.
Boufal also spent the closing six weeks of the season out of the reckoning after failing to impress manager Mark Hughes and a return to France appears to be a possibility.
According to Le Parisien, both Nice and Rennes are considering whether to launch an approach for the 24-year-old, who will likely be allowed to leave St Mary's this summer.
The Morocco international still has three years remaining on his contract but the Saints could potentially entertain a season-long loan deal with an obligation to buy in 2019.