Mallinder is still hopeful of holding on to the 28-year-old, but the Scotland Rugby Union (SRU) are desperate to lure as many of their exiled internationals as possible back to their homeland.
Scotland head coach Frank Hadden wants more control ov
er his internationals after seeing the 10 exiled in the Guinness Premiership unable to attend a training session at the beginning of the season because Premier Rugby Limited put their foot down.
Despite starting his career with Glasgow, Edinburgh appear favourite to land Lamont, who is out of contract at the end of the season along with Saints team-mate Euan Murray.
Lamont was dropped from the Scotland 22 for today's Six Nations clash with France and has missed out on Saints' Premiership match with Saracens as well, playing for Scotland A against Ireland A last night instead.
Mallinder said: "It is like all players. When they are coming out of contract there is always going to be an interest in players and until you tie them up you never quite know, and that is the way it is.
"We want to keep hold of our best players and we will work hard and do whatever we can to do that."
