Southampton on verge of signing Marseille star to replace Aston Villa-bound Jan Bednarek

Southampton are close to announcing the arrival of Duje Caleta-Car from Marseille, Fabrizio Romano reports.

Ralph Hasenhuttl needs a new centre-back as Jan Bednarek is set to join Southampton’s Premier League rivals Aston Villa. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Bednarek will move to Villa Park on a season-long loan.

The Villans needed a new central defender following Diego Carlos’ Achilles injury. And by agreeing to sign Bednarek they put Southampton in the market for a centre-half too.

Earlier on transfer deadline day, reports put Caleta-Car in line for a move to St Mary’s.

The Croatian is in the final 12 months of his contract at Marseille. This means the French side are willing to sell now to prevent a free-transfer exit next summer.

Romano has given an update on Caleta-Car’s future. He states talks between Southampton and Marseille have resulted in a transfer agreement, as the player is now set to move to St Mary’s.

And rather than landing him on a season-long loan, the Saints are spending money to bring Caleta-Car in permanently.

Romano doesn’t reveal how much they are spending to get him. transfermarkt put his value at £14.4million. But with his Marseille deal set to run out in June, Southampton will likely have got him for far less than this.

Duje Caleta-Car an exciting capture

Hasenhuttl is getting a good player added to his squad. Caleta-Car made 38 appearances in all competitions last term, with nine of those coming in European competitions.

The 25-year-old also has experience playing in the Champions League with both Marseille and his previous club, Red Bull Salzburg.

Marseille paid £17.1m to take Caleta-Car to France in July 2018 but are now preparing to take a financial hit on him. It is their doing as they’ve have failed to sort out a new contract for him.

The situation works in Southampton’s favour though. Should Caleta-Car’s deal reach completion, then he will compete with the likes of Mohammed Salisu and Lyanco for a starting spot on the south coast.