‘Here we go’: Romano says Southampton on verge of ‘outstanding’ signing; after Maitland-Niles

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Fabrizio Romano has said “here we go” on Duje Caleta-Car to Southampton.

The Saints have reportedly won the race for the Marseille defender ahead of the likes of West Ham.

Earlier today, The Athletic claimed that Caleta-Car was travelling to England in order to seal a move.

Since then, there have been reports claiming the 25-year-old was Southampton-bound.

Here is what Romano tweeted at 7:25pm BST:

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail claimed just before 6pm that Caleta-Car was undergoing his Southampton medical.

The Saints had reportedly agreed an £8million deal with Marseille for the Croatia international’s services.

Caleta-Car was on Southampton’s deadline-day centre-back list as a replacement for their defensive outgoings.

Jack Stephens has joined Bournemouth on loan.

Meanwhile, Jan Bednarek looks set for Aston Villa, having previously been linked with West Ham.

It has been a busy transfer deadline day so far for Southampton, with a number of departures and one big acquisition.

Oriol Romeu has joined Girona, while Stephens, Jake Vokins, Mateusz Lis and Dynel Simeu have left on loan.

Meanwhile, Ainsley Maitland-Niles has joined on loan from Southampton.

‘Has blossomed’

Southampton are getting themselves a solid defender in Caleta-Car.

‘Marseille’s patience with Caleta-Car was well-founded’, the Ligue 1 website wrote in late 2020.

‘An intimidating 6’4″tall, the (now 25-year-old) also has impressive pace, can use both feet – either to distribute out from the back or to test an opposition goalkeeper – and has blossomed into a communicative team leader alongside Alvaro.

‘The way Caleta-Car nips attacks in the bud is outstanding.

‘His turn of speed and reading of the game means he has invariably intercepted a forward pass with so much time to spare that laser-sighted distribution follows, sometimes with the very same touch of the ball.’