Southampton are in talks to sign Spartak Moscow defender Serdar Tasci on loan, sources close to the Premier League club have told ESPN FC.
Southampton are in the market for defensive reinforcements before the close of the transfer window after selling Jose Fonte to West Ham United and losing Virgil van Dijk to injury, leaving Claude Puel short of options at the back.
Puel's need to strengthen his defence was illustrated by the Saints' 5-0 defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup on Saturday and the club are hopeful of striking a deal with Spartak for Germany international Tasci.
Southampton and Spartak are in advanced talks over Tasci, with the Saints hoping to get the green light to fly the defender over for a medical and negotiations before Tuesday's transfer deadline.
Tasci is out of favour at Spartak and has made just nine appearances for the Russian club this season.
The 29-year-old is out of contract with Spartak in the summer and the club are willing to let him move on.
Tasci, who joined Spartak from Stuttgart in 2013, had a spell on loan at Bayern Munich during the second half of last season, but only played a handful of games for the club.