Ex-Hibee Sol Bamba catching eye of big clubs

Sol BAMBA could be set for a money-spinning move to the English Premier League only months after leaving Hibs.

Aston Villa, Fulham and Everton are all keen on signing the Ivory Coast defender with one report in France claiming the Birmingham outfit have already tabled a 2.6 million bid.

However, according to French newspaper L'Sport, they could face competition from Olympique Marseille who have sent scouts to watch the Paris-born star in action.

Bamba, who made 80 appearances for Hibs following his 50,000 move from Dunfermline in 2008, became an instant hero at the Walkers Stadium after Hibs, with his contract due to expire this summer, accepted an undisclosed fee from Leicester during the January transfer window.

The 6ft 3in stopper scored with his first touch for Sven Goran Eriksson's side in a 2-2 draw with eventual FA Cup winners Manchester City, with his performances since attracting the attention of others.

However, 26-year-old Bamba. who throughout his spell at Easter Road claimed to being watched by possible suitors - including his first club Paris Saint-Germain - insisted that, while flattered to be linked with such high-profile clubs, he was happy with life at Leicester.

He said: "I have a contract with Leicester and I'm feeling good. Right now, I would be lying if I said that, if these clubs came in for me, I wouldn't be flattered.

"That sort of interest always gives me pleasure. But I have a good agent who I have known for a long time and in whom I have confidence - it's him who will take care of all that.

"I don't pay too much attention to all these rumours myself."