Southampton to bid for Aston Villa’s Jordan Amavi after Nice withdraw interest

Nice have withdrawn from the race to sign Aston Villa full-back Jordan Amavi, amid interest from Southampton.

The Saints are expected to appoint former Nice boss Claude Puel as their new manager this week following Ronald Koeman's move to Everton.

Puel, who left his position as Nice manager in May, knows all about Amavi having overseen his breakthrough into the first team at the French club before he was sold to Aston Villa last summer.

The 22-year-old enjoyed a bright start to life at Villa before he sustained a serious knee injury while on duty for the France Under-21s in November.

He did not appear again for the side so could not help in their unsuccessful battle against relegation from the Premier League.

Now Amavi's future is unclear and it has been heavily reported that Nice want to take their former favourite back to the south of France.

However, according to Nice Matin, the Ligue 1 club have dropped their interest in the defender, clearing the way for their ex-boss Puel to make his move.