Bordeaux say they have reached an "agreement in principle" with Southampton for a deal that will see Sekou Mara move to St Mary's.
The French side say the 19-year-old forward will now travel to England for a medical and to sign his contract with the Saints.
Reports in France earlier on Thursday said the deal is worth €13m (£11.1m).
Newcastle and Borussia Monchengladbach were also said to have held talks over signing Mara but were hoping to strike a cheap deal with Bordeaux, who are in financial trouble.
However, Southampton are understood to have offered a market rate for Mara, with suggestions that the fee could help to save Bordeaux from liquidation.
