---
title: "Southampton: Saints in pole position to sign Duje Caleta-Car"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/southampton-duje-caleta-car-marseille-latest-transfer-news-rumours-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Chloe Chadwick"
section: "Premier League News"
published: "2022-08-31T16:35:12Z"
modified: "2022-08-31T16:35:12Z"
---

# Southampton: Saints in pole position to sign Duje Caleta-Car

**[Southampton](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/southampton-fc-news/) are now in pole position to sign Marseille centre-back Duje Caleta-Car, according to reports.**

### The Lowdown: Bednarek replacement

Ralph Hasenhuttl will be on the lookout for defensive reinforcements with Jan Bednarek heading for a summer exit after holding [talks](https://www.thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2022/08/29/west-ham-united-rival-aston-villa-in-jan-bednarek-pursuit/) with fellow [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) sides Aston Villa and West Ham.

25-year-old Caleta-Car has been reported to be [on the shortlist](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/southampton-fc-news/southampton-duje-caleta-car-jan-bednarek-transfer-gossip-news-updates/) on the south coast, and following a fresh update, it appears that St. Mary’s is the most likely destination for the colossus before the end of the window.

### The Latest: Saints leading the chase

According to L’Equipe (via [Sport Witness](https://sportwitness.co.uk/southampton-named-suitor-moment-defender-agency-trying-place-st-marys/)), Southampton have been named ‘suitor of the moment’ for Caleta-Car, with his agency, Stellar, ‘trying to place him’ in the hands of Hasenhuttl.

It’s stated that the player is ‘among the tracks being looked at’ to replace Bednarek, though there is a ‘need to be cautious’ due to the Croatian so far rejecting ‘every exfiltration attempt’ put to him by Marseille.

The Ligue 1 gem didn’t feature for Igor Tudor’s side in their 3-0 victory over Nice last weekend over the uncertainty of a potential exit.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”398360″\]

### The Verdict: Perfect for Hasenhuttl

Caleta-Car has now entered the [final year](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/olympique-marseille/berateruebersicht/verein/244) of his deal at Marseille so they are likely going to want to cash in whilst they still can, and Southampton would be the perfect place for him to move.

The 6 foot 4 giant, [dubbed](https://twitter.com/buntingfootball/status/1358122740562206720?s=21&t=D6h52vRpTovbjeRVBf2eXw) a ‘monster’ by sports journalist [Josh Bunting](https://twitter.com/Buntingfootball), averaged 2.1 clearances per game and had an excellent 91.9% pass success rate last season ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/251134/History/Duje-Caleta-Car)), highlighting his ability to stay calm at the back.

\[freshpress-poll id=”370499″\]

Caleta-Car will be desperate to secure his place at the World Cup with Croatia later this year but requires more game time after making just [one](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/duje-caleta-car/leistungsdaten/spieler/238266) appearance this term, and the Saints could offer him exactly what he’s looking for.