Southampton have reportedly joined the race to sign Marseille midfielder Giannelli Imbula.

For the second successive summer Morgan Schneiderlin has been repeatedly linked with a move away from St Mary's Stadium, and he has suggested that a departure is likely, with Arsenal and Manchester United rumoured to be interested.

Arsenal are also reported to be considering a move for Imbula, but Le Parisien claims that the Saints are willing to battle the Gunners and Tottenham Hotspur as they line up a replacement for Schneiderlin.

The report suggests that Imbula could cost as much as £15m this summer, and Southampton may also have to compete with Monaco, who are looking for a defensive midfielder after allowing Geoffrey Kondogbia to join Inter Milan.

Imbula joined Marseille in the summer of 2013.