Montpellier HSC coach Rolland Courbis has confirmed his interest in Kuban Krasnodar striker Djibril Cisse.
The 2012 champions are 17th in Ligue 1 and in desperate need of firepower up front with Djamel Bakar sidelined by a knee ligament injury.
Cisse moved to Russia from Queens Park Rangers on a one-year contract, with the option of a further year, in July, after a loan spell at Al-Gharafa.
"He is part of four or five players that could attract Montpellier, but there is financial problem with huge conditions," Courbis told French radio station RMC.
"We are forced to get reinforcement as Djamel Bakar is out for the rest of the season."
La Paillade president Louis Nicollin recently said that the club must sell before they buy.