That is being cancelled so he is able to join Southampton on loan instead

Southampton are signing Serbia international Filip Djuricic on loan from Benfica.

The 22-year-old has been on loan at Bundesliga side Mainz but his representatives are cancelling that deal to push through the move to Southampton.

Ronald Koeman is keen to bolster his attacking options with Shane Long out injured with broken ribs and a punctured lung.

Filip Djuricic (left), pictured playing in the Europa League against Tottenham, is joining Southampton on loan

Djuracic is currently on loan at Mainz in the Bundesliga, but that deal will be cancelled for Southampton

Djuricic, who can play as a forward, midfielder or left winger, played in Holland for Heerenveen before moving to Benfica in 2013 for £4.5m. He signed a five year deal with a release clause set at £32million. Celtic tried to sign him a year ago for £6million.

He will join Southampton until the end of the season and links up with international team-mate Dusan Tadic.