SAINTS are facing competition from rival clubs for the signature of Spanish right-back Inigo Calderon.

The former Alaves captain’s contract with Brighton is set to expire, with Saints interested in bringing him to St Mary’s on a free transfer. However, a source told the Daily Echo that there are a number of other clubs that have already enquired about him, giving the Spaniard a number of potential options this summer.

Calderon is understood to have returned to his homeland last week to spend some time with his family while things develop.

He had been offered a new deal by the Seagulls, but it was withdrawn after he failed to sign it before a deadline imposed by the club expired.

Brighton boss Gus Poyet revealed the 28-year-old had stalled on putting pen to paper as he was waiting for an offer from Saints.

Calderon said he had agreed terms with the Seagulls, but wanted to wait to see what was on offer further along the south coast.

“It’s complicated,” he said. “I never said no to Brighton.

“I agreed with the conditions of the contract, but I wanted to wait to meet with Southampton and they understood that.

“They told me about the deadline in the last week and I thought I would have the Southampton proposal by then.

“The problem was I couldn’t have a meeting with them in time so I asked for another week.

“They said the deadline is the deadline.”

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