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SAINTS could turn to free agent Martin Caceres to solve their defensive problems, according to various news outlets.
The former Juventus centre-back has been unattached since last summer, and recently rejected a contract offer from AC Milan.
The 29-year-old passed a medical at the San Siro, but failed to agree personal terms and is now reportedly heading to St Mary’s for talks.
Caceres went on trial to Crystal Palace in the January transfer window, but Selhurst Park boss Sam Allardyce signed Liverpool’s Mamadou Sakho on loan instead.
The 68-capped Uruguayan has also reportedly attracted interest from West Ham and Sunderland – although his £100,000-a-week wage demands deterred several clubs.
Saints could now look to the former Barcelona man to help solidify their wobbly defence in Virgil van Dijk’s absence through injury.
Having sold off Jose Fonte in the January transfer window, Van Dijk’s ankle problem has left Claude Puel’s men very short at the back, with perennial back-up Maya Yoshida and youngster Jack Stephens now first choice in central defence.
The defensive frailties were all too obvious on Saturday, as Saints lost 3-1 to West Ham at St Mary’s – their sixth defeat in seven Premier League games.
The problem has been amplified with Saints conceding nine goals in their last four home games, having let in just five goals in their first eight league games under Puel at St Mary’s.
Caceres has been without a club since last summer after his contract at Juventus expired.
His career started in his homeland, Uruguay, at Defensor, before moving to Spanish outfit Villareal in 2007.
He spent a season on loan at Recreativo, before leaving parent club Villareal for Barcelona.
Caceres’ game time was limited at Barca because of injury problems and being behind Rafael Marquez, Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol in the pecking order at the Camp Nou.
Subsequently, he left on loan for Juventus and then Sevilla, who he eventually joined permanently in 2011.
Los Rojiblancos then sent him back to the Italian giants in a second loan spell, before he signed a contract with the Old Lady in 2012.
The 5ft11in defender won five Serie A titles with Juventus, as well as the Coppa Italia twice.
With Saints failing to bring in cover during the transfer window, having decided against a move for Spartak Moscow’s Serdar Tasci, Puel has recognised that his team are short on options.
The St Mary’s chief has mooted the possibility of moving Ryan Bertrand to centre-back, with Yoshida, Stephens and Florin Gardos, who has recently returned from a two year injury layoff, the only other available options.
Caceres’ match fitness may be an issue, with his last competitive game more than a year ago.
However, with the January transfer window now close, a free agent of the calibre of Caceres may well be enough to entice Saints in to a deal.
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