Southampton are finalising a deal to take Duje Caleta-Car from Marseille, according to The Athletic's Jacob Tanswell.

The lowdown

Caleta-Car is poised to be the second new centre-back to arrive at St Mary's in this transfer window.

Earlier in the summer, the Saints signed the 20-year-old Armel Bella-Kotchap from Bundesliga outfit Vfl Bochum for £9million.

Meanwhile, Jan Bednarek is set to depart Ralph Hasenhuttl's side, with a move to Aston Villa reportedly in the works.

The latest

Tanswell took to Twitter to share the latest update on Caleta-Car, with a medical on the horizon after Southampton iron out the terms of a deal worth up to £15m.

"Saints are in the process of finalising an agreement to sign Duje Ćaleta-Car from Marseille," he wrote.

"The club are now firm favourites to sign the centre-back, with a medical needed to do. Worth in the region of £12-15m."

The verdict

What will Caleta-Car bring to the south coast?

Well, above all, he's excellent in possession, ranking in the top six percentiles for both pass volume and pass accuracy amongst centre-backs in Europe's top five leagues (via FBRef).

And that's not simply because he plays it safe and knocks it side to side - he scores highly for progressive passes too, launching attacks for his side.

The Croatian, similar in profile to Aymeric Laporte at Manchester City, will also back himself to run with the ball into midfield areas (93rd percentile for progressive carries).

He was part of the squad that reached the final of the 2018 World Cup, for which they earned a presidential medal.