Brighton star Solly March in contract negotiations amid Southampton 'interest'

March has been linked with a move to St Mary’s previously in the summer of 2014, but the club have never acted on any admiration they hold for the one-time capped England Under-21 international.

The winger, who spent much of the last Championship season out after suffering serious knee ligament damage at Derby in December, turned down a recent contract offer from Albion, which led to rumours that the 21-year-old may make the move along the south coast to Saints.

With Saints looking to adventure back into the transfer market for a right-back and attacking player, March was an obvious link to make.

March, who turns 22 tomorrow, suits Saints’ values in the transfer market, which sees them aim for careful recruitment of young and hungry talent.

So far Saints have brought in £10m England Under-21 international Nathan Redmond, 22, from Norwich City and 20-year-old Denmark international Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg from Bayern Munich for £12m.

However, Chris Hughton’s side remain hopeful a deal can be struck for March, who turned down their opening offer of a revised two-year contract.

The Amex Stadium side have gone back in to see if they can come to an agreement with the player and his intermediary.

Saints were said to be monitoring March’s progress before he suffered the serious knee injury in December, with West Ham also allegedly interested.

He is still on the path to recovery, although Brighton hope he’ll be ready for the start of the new Championship season.

The Eastbourne-born man, who came through the Brighton academy, netted three times in 17 games before his season was brought to a premature end.

March is an attack-minded midfielder and certainly suits the kind of player Claude Puel is said to be in the market for.

The Englishman played alongside Saints midfielder and England Under-21s captain James Ward-Prowse at the Toulon Tournament in 2014.