Saints close to sealing £8.5m defender

Southampton are reportedly closing in on a £8.5m deal to sign Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly.

After already conceding five goals in their opening two league games, Saints boss Ronald Koeman is keen to bolster his defensive ranks ahead of the close of the transfer window, especially with Queens Park Rangers loanee Steven Caulker currently struggling with a sinus infection.

Koulibaly, a former France Under-21 international, scored once in 39 appearances in all competitions for the Serie A outfit last season.

It is thought that manager Koeman wants the 24-year-old to fill the void left by Toby Alderweireld, who decided to join Premier League rivals Tottenham earlier this summer.

Fellow centre-backs Jose Fonte and Maya Yoshida have failed to impress as a partnership so far this term, with Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Everton at St Mary’s Stadium highlighting the clubs need for reinforcements.

However Southampton are still keen on capturing Celtic star Virgil van Dijk, but the club have been forced to wait until the Scottish Premiership outfit’s Champions League destiny has been resolved.