Kurt Zouma was a 2012 target for Manchester City © AP Enlarge

Cardiff City are among a trio of clubs who have tabled €10 million bids for Saint-Etienne's sought-after centre-back Kurt Zouma, French media are reporting.

The powerfully-built 18-year-old helped France's Under-20 side into the quarter-finals of the World Cup by beating hosts Turkey 4-1 on Tuesday while, at home, his club were assailed by suitors seduced by the defender's enormous potential.

According to RMC, Cardiff have been joined by Russian Premier League big-spenders Anzhi Makhachkala and Volkswagen-backed Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg in having sent double-digit offers to Saint-Etienne for Zouma.

However, the ten-time Ligue 1 champions have repeatedly stated only striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is reportedly close to joining Borussia Dortmund, will leave the club this summer.

Zouma, who was the subject of a reported €10 million bid from Manchester City in January 2012, is due to meet club officials to discuss the situation upon his return to France.

His agent, David Venditelli, recently told Eurosport.fr his young client "prefers England", but that a number of clubs had been scared off by Saint-Etienne's asking price for a player who has featured in just 40 Ligue 1 games.

"Liverpool, Juventus and Manchester United were interested, but they cooled when they learned of Saint-Etienne's asking price. There is, however, an English club and a German side still in the running," Venditelli explained last month.

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