Fulham are are understood to be keeping tabs on Ajaccio striker Mamadou Bagayoko.

The Malian international has impressed for the French side since joining from Strasbourg in the summer, bagging seven goals so far this season.

Fulham first watched him in action last October and again in January following the sale of Louis Saha.

However, both Saints and Boro are now known to have been to recent games to see the hit-man in action.

A number of the bigger French clubs are also taking an interest in Bagayoko – who has a contract the Stade Francois-Coty until 2005.

Bagayoko has confirmed that he would be more than happy to make the move to England.

He also admitted knowing about Fulham’s interest, saying: “Representatives of the club have come very often to oversee me since the start of Le Championnat.

“I love England, so why not?”

The player’s agent Craig Hutchinson confirtmed there was a great deal of interest in his client.

“We know there are a number of clubs watching him from England and France, he wants to move to England and so we will see what happens.”