Jose Mourinho was spotted on a scouting trip at Lille's match with Montpellier on Sunday.
The axed Manchester United boss was sitting alongside Lille sporting director Luis Campos who Mourinho reportedly wanted to join him at United to overhaul the squad.
Nicolas Pepe – who has 16 goals and eight assists in Ligue 1 this season already – and striker Rafael Leao are two Lille talents Mourinho could have been keeping an eye on.
Lille dropped points in the race for second place and automatic qualification for the Champions League after drawing 0-0 at home to Montpellier on Sunday.
Montpellier showed why it has the second-best defense in the French league by containing Lille's 16-goal top scorer Nicolas Pepe .
The draw trims second-place Lille's lead over third-place Lyon to four points with both sides having 13 games remaining. Consistent Montpellier is in sixth spot.
Later Sunday, runaway league leader Paris Saint-Germain traveled to face Saint-Etienne and Reims hosted Rennes.
Forward Josh Maja made his Bordeaux debut in a 2-1 home win against Toulouse.
The 20-year-old Englishman joined from third-tier English side Sunderland. But it was veteran forward Jimmy Briand who struck Bordeaux's 83rd-minute winner.
Midfielder Toma Basic put Bordeaux ahead after two minutes and veteran midfielder Yannick Cahuzac leveled in the 70th.
Struggling Caen picked up a point in its fight against relegation after holding Strasbourg to a 0-0 draw at home.