Barcelona could be about to battle it out with Southampton for a centre-half, according to reports in Spain.
Martin Caceres has won 68 caps for Uruguay
Mundo Deportivo have suggested that Martin Caceres, who BBC Sport have reported was close to a switch to Southampton last week, could be of interest to the Catalan giants.
Aleix Vidal dislocated his ankle at the weekend leaving him sidelined for at least five months and Barcelona short of defensive options. The club and Caceres are familiar with one another as he was on their books for three years from 2008 but only made 13 league appearances in that time.
The Uruguayan is currently a free agent after being released by Juventus in the summer, hence he can sign for a new team outside of the transfer window.
Southampton find themselves in need of defenders too after selling Jose Fonte in January and seeing Virgil van Dijk ruled out for three months with an ankle injury.
The new central defensive pairing of Jack Stephens and Maya Yoshida kept their first clean sheet in the league at the weekend but the Saints have little cover beyond those two.
Claude Puel has had to rely on Maya Yoshida, usually a squad player, to lead in defence in recent weeks
Southampton find themselves in need of defenders too after selling Jose Fonte in January and seeing Virgil van Dijk ruled out for three months with an ankle injury.
The new central defensive pairing of Jack Stephens and Maya Yoshida kept their first clean sheet in the league at the weekend but the Saints have little cover beyond those two.
Caceres has not played for more than a year so him passing a medical on the South Coast is by no means a given, while it may also take time for a work permit to be granted, suggesting this transfer saga looks like it may still be some way off concluding.
Whatever happens, it seems likely Southampton will have to make do with their current options for the EFL Cup Final in less than a fortnight’s time.
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