Nice were foiled in an audacious attempt to sign England new-boy Harry Winks on loan last season.
Winks, who shone on his international debut in Lithuania on Sunday night, has paid tribute to club manager Mauricio Pochettino, whose record of nurturing senior England players is phenomenal.
Under Pochettino's management, 12 players have gone on to make their England debuts - Winks the latest.
And Sportsmail can reveal Ligue 1 side Nice - whose squad includes Mario Balotelli - were rebuffed in their attempts to lure the talented youngster from north London last season.