The Cape Verde Islands have approached Olympique Marseille captain Manuel dos Santos about joining the national side for their World Cup group qualifying campaign, which starts with a match against South Africa next month.

Cape Verdian coach Alexandre Alhinho had a meeting with the defender in Marseille, the Cape Verdian news agency Inforpress reported.

Dos Santos, who was born on the island archipelago, is a French citizen but despite being on the cusp of selection for France on several occasions, has not been capped.

The 30-year-old defender has played in Ligue 1 for the last nine seasons, first at Monaco, then Montpellier and Olympique Marseille from 2000.