Southampton are said to be closing in on the signing of reported West Ham target Idrissa Gueye from Lille, according to the Daily Star.
The Saints, bracing themselves for the £24m departure of French international midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin to either Manchester United or Arsenal, are said to be readying a bid for the £7m-rated Gueye.
West Ham were linked with a move for the 25-year-old Senegalese international midfielder, along with Crystal Palace, but it appears as if their Premier League rivals are set to snap him up.
The Hammers had been keeping tabs on Gueye should they not be able to complete a deal to sign Barcelona midfielder Alex Song on a permanent basis following his impressive season-long loan spell at Upton Park last season.
Song is said to have agreed terms to a three-year deal worth £70,000-a-week as the La Liga champions are said to be willing to let the Cameroonian leave the Nou Camp this summer on a free transfer in order to get his wages off the books following a disappointing spell at the club.
