Back in 2013 Saints signed Croatian central defender Dejan Lovren from Lyon in France and now it seems they might look to repeat history 8 years later with another raid for another Croatian defender.

Season 2013/14 saw Saints fans take Dejan Lovren to their hearts as he enjoyed a superb season in the Southampton defence after his arrival from Lyon for around £8.5 million.

It all ended in tears though as the 24 year old 6ft 3 inch stopper suddenly demanded to leave St Mary's for Liverpool and made veiled threats if he wasn't allowed to go, Saints supporters never forgave him for his behaviour.

Now it seems that history may repeat itself as we report ably chase another 24 year old Croatian central defender from France

The latest on the radar is Duje Caleta-Car who plays for Marseille whom he joined from Red Bull Salzburg for around £17 million back in 2018 and has played 76 games in Ligue 1 for the club.

He would cost a little more than the fee that Marseille paid the Austrian club with his current value said to be around £22 million, but with Saints having not only the Vestrgaard £15 million in the bank, but also around £12 million of the Danny Ings cash, this might not be a problem.

Central defence is a position that has been a problem since the 2016/17 season when the club lost both Virgil Van Dijk and Jose Fonte in controversial circumstances and is a position that needs to be finally sorted after 5 years where it has been a problem area

Photo: Action Images

pintsizedsaint added 11:40 - Aug 17 Not sure this one will happen, as the fee will be £25m+
1

Colburn added 11:50 - Aug 17 I would take Nat Phillips, he's young but showed plenty of leadership qualities for Liverpool last season. Fits our blueprint.
2

underweststand added 11:52 - Aug 17 Sounds a lot but perhaps Yan Valery might fancy a move back to his homeland ?,,,that would soften the blow of a bit transfer fee.
2

vanmans added 11:53 - Aug 17 He sounds like just what we need. Get it Done.
1

Peterx added 12:19 - Aug 17 Sounds too expensive for us.
1

WoolstonSaint2 added 13:20 - Aug 17 Sell.more deadwood- Obafemi, Long, McCarthy, Stephens, Valery, Redmond, and all our assistant coaches (most of 'em are ex-keepers- what do they know?) . That should raise a few quid to bring in better quality players.
5

schatfield added 13:50 - Aug 17 they paid 18M for him, he has been superb, and then they would sell him for just 22M? I think you have lost how transfers work here....... the club would command at least 30M which is well out of SFC payscale
0

vanmans added 13:55 - Aug 17 Well said WoolstonSaint2 I love to get rid of that lot as well. Our so called coaches are a joke and the players you name are not up to Premier League standard.
4

SaintNick added 14:08 - Aug 17 Transfers seem to not be so over inflated as they are in England, Lovren sigend for Lyon in 2010 for about £6.5 million, 3 years later we got him for £8.5 million with 3 years left on his contract. A very similar rise as this fella has, in France there isn't the bidding war, also he appears to have been bought at over the odds by Lyon, so although it may sound cheap compared to what they paid £22 million is about right for his value, if there are bidders that might get pushed up

1

cocklebreath added 15:37 - Aug 17 No way are we spending 20 mill on a defender
2

PeterL22 added 15:38 - Aug 17 I agree that price may be too high - and probably over-valued. He looks a solid unit, but he does seem to like the two-footed lunge which may cause trouble with PL referees (non-contact sport in PL). Really not sure about Phillips at all and as for Ca(over the)hill no thanks. If you're looking for an Ex-Palace player then Scott Dann is a better option - and cheaper too. The only thing is, we desperately need to bring in another centre-back - and one that can fit straight into slot without "nurturing for the future"!

2

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