Martin Caceres is set to join Southampton subject to a medical and international clearance

Southampton are set to sign former Juventus and Barcelona defender Martin Caceres on a free transfer, according to Sky sources.

It is understood a deal to sign the former centre-back, 29, will be completed when Caceres has received a work permit and passed a medical.

Caceres, who has won titles in Spain and Italy but has not played in a competitive match for a year, has also been of interest to Sunderland and Crystal Palace.

But the Saints, who have been on the market for a centre-back since they sold captain Jose Fonte to West Ham last month, appear to have beaten the competition.

2:37 Southampton 1-3 West Ham Southampton 1-3 West Ham

Caceres was released by Juventus last summer after injuries meant he played only 58 times for the Bianconeri in three years.

Caceres passed a medical with Milan last week but could not agree personal terms, and he failed a medical at Turkish club Trabzonspor last month.

Southampton need cover for Virgil van Dijk, who will be out for two months with an ankle injury.