Southampton has initial £8m bid for Super Eagles striker Terem Moffi rejected by Lorient

ENGLISH Premier league side Southampton have had a €10m (£8m) bid for Nigerian striker Terem Moffi rejected by his French club Lorient in the first major move for a Super Eagles during this January transfer window.

Moffi, 23, has had a spectacular season for French side Lorient, scoring 10 goals in 16 appearances that has contributed to the club's fairytale run that has seen them make an early push at the summit of Ligue One. His displays have not gone unnoticed, as English Premier League sides Brighton, Aston Villa, Everton, West Ham and Crystal Palace have all been keeping tabs on him.

According to French football portal Foot Mercato, the Saints have made a formal bid since the opening of the January transfer window. Southampton manager Nathan Jones, has already signed one striker in Mislav Orsic and wants Moffi to team up with him to help get the club out of the relegation zone.

Indeed, Moffi signing for Southampton would be quite the statement from the south coast side given how highly sought after the striker is at the moment. It is believed that the Saints are ready to go all the way to bring Moffi  to England, so could submit an improved offer following the initial rejection.

Numerous Premier League rivals are chasing Moffi already this window and Southampton winning the race for the attacker’s signature would be a major win for the club and a strong sign that the Saints are heading into the right direction under Mr Jones. However, Lorient are expected to demand at least €25m from any suitor before they let go of their star man.