SAINTS expect to sign former Juventus and Barcelona defender Martin Caceres in the coming days to solve their centre-back crisis, the Daily Echo understands.

Caceres is in Southampton for a medical and talks as Saints look to bring in cover following Virgil van Dijk’s injury and Jose Fonte’s departure.

The 29-year-old free agent has not played for a year and has been without a club since last summer, after ending his five-year stay at Juventus.

The Daily Echo understands that the deal will only be completed once a work permit is granted, and other formalities are concluded.

It is likely Caceres will command high wages but, with Claude Puel's side very short on defensive options, Saints are ready to offer what will likely be a short-term contract to bring in cover.

Puel has only Maya Yoshida, Jack Stephens and Florin Gardos at his disposal at centre-back, with Van Dijk injured and Fonte gone.

One of the biggest concerns for Saints will be Caceres' fitness – the Uruguayan hasn't played since last February after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon and has a history of injuries.

Yet, he offers vast experience and it will come as a major boost to have new blood at the back.

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.

Saints failed to bring in defensive cover in the January transfer window after a move for Spartak Moscow's Serdar Tasci fell through.

With the market now closed until the summer, a free agent of Caceres' quality may be just the tonic Saints need.

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.

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.

He most recently rejected a move to AC Milan, having failed to agree personal terms.