Southampton may have been given a boost in the transfer market after one of their summer targets turned down an offer to join the Saudi Pro League.
Metz midfielder Lamine Camara has been linked with the Premier League side as they look to strengthen their squad following promotion back to the top flight last season.
The 20-year-old received an offer to sign for Al Qadsiah of the lucrative Saudi Arabian league, according to L'Equipe. However, the player has reportedly made it clear he is not interested in the move, which would have earned his club €16 million (($17.4 million).
The French publication says Southampton are still working on a potential deal for the rising Senegal star.
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Who is Lamine Camara and will he sign for Southampton?
Camara is a 20-year-old midfielder who plays for Ligue 1 club Metz and the Senegal national team.
He made a name for himself at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in January this year, scoring twice in Senegal's opening 3-0 win over Gambia. His second goal was a sensational curled effort from outside the penalty area.
2000 - Aged 20 years and 14 days, Lamine Camara is the youngest player to score a brace at the AFCON since Ali Zitouni for Tunisia in 2000 (19 years and 32 days). Banger. #SENGAM pic.twitter.com/gxWiBndR3M
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) January 15, 2024
Camara was taken off injured on a stretcher during his side's Round of 16 match against the Ivory Coast, which they lost on penalties, but it proved not to be a serious injury. He played in all but three of Metz's Ligue 1 matches last season, which ended in heartbreak as they were relegated to Ligue 1 following defeat in a playoff to Saint-Etienne.
Southampton reportedly made an opening bid of around $11m for Camara two weeks ago, which was rejected.
