SPECULATION over a Cherries swoop for Max Gradel intensified over the weekend with the winger reportedly stating he sees his future away from current club Saint-Etienne.

In quotes attributed to the former Dean Court loanee by website French Football, Gradel insisted he would not “clash” with his present employers but that he needs “something new”.

The Ivorian rattled home 17 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions for the French Ligue 1 side last season, with rumours emanating over the weekend that Southampton have joined the race for his signature.

Discussing his future, Gradel said: “I still belong to Saint-Etienne. I have a two-year contract and I'm not going to clash.

“But it's true that I also want to look elsewhere. I need something new but if they do not agree to sell me, I could do nothing, I would return to the club.”

In a further interview with French journalists, 27-year-old Gradel went on to laud Cherries boss Eddie Howe, who was a coach under then-manager Kevin Bond during his temporary stint in Dorset in 2007-8, but insisted he had not been made aware of any offers for his services.

Gradel joined Cherries on the eve of the start of the 2007-08 season and spent two separate loan spells with the club, his 10 goals in 38 appearances ultimately failing to help Cherries avoid the drop to League Two.

He returned to Leicester to help them win League One in 2009 before going on to star for Leeds as they clinched promotion to the Championship the following season.

After coming close to signing for West Ham in January 2014, Gradel joined Saint-Etienne for an undisclosed fee in August 2011.

Meanwhile, reports that Cherries are preparing a £14million bid for QPR hotshot Charlie Austin are thought to be without foundation. 

A report on the back page of today's Sun on Sunday claimed Cherries were about to shatter their transfer record for the former Poole Town striker.