Southampton are reportedly set to sign defender Martin Caceres.
According to Sky Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio, free agent defender Martin Caceres is undergoing a medical with Southampton today having snubbed Sunderland.
Southampton have endured two defensive blows over the last month, as stalwart centre back and club captain Jose Fonte left the club in order to join West Ham United, before Virgil van Dijk suffered an ankle injury to rule him out for up to three months.
Martin Caceres celebrates
Claude Puel has been forced to play Maya Yoshida and youngster Jack Stephens at centre back, but Southampton were beaten 3-1 at home by West Ham United on Saturday afternoon.
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That poor defensive showing has heightened Southampton’s need for reinforcements in their back line, but given that the January transfer window closed last Tuesday night, the Saints are limited to free agents.
Martin Caceres
They appear to have found one though, as Sky Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio reports that free agent defender Martin Caceres is today undergoing a medical with the Saints ahead of a move to the South Coast.
Caceres, 29, has turned out for the likes of Villarreal, Barcelona, Juventus and Sevilla during a successful career, which has seen him win La Liga and the Champions League once each with Barcelona, as well as five Serie A titles with Juventus.
A free agent since his Juventus contract expired at the end of last season, Caceres has been looking for a new club, but has allegedly snubbed approaches from both AC Milan and Sunderland, with Southampton seemingly his destination of choice.
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A Uruguayan international 68 caps to his name, Caceres has bags of experience and is athletically gifted, but injury problems have stunted his development over the years, and Southampton will be hoping and praying that he doesn’t suffer any more injury blows if the deal – as expected – goes through.
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