Southampton FC facing top-flight competition for €5m-rated centre-back | OneFootball

Branimir Mlacic has been linked with a whole host of European sides

Southampton FC are reportedly amongst the host of clubs targeting a late transfer move for Hadjuk Split's highly-rated defender, Branimir Mlacic.

That is according to a report from Dalmatinski Portal in the centre-back's native Croatia, with there now just a matter of days before clubs across England and Europe have to finalise their respective squads for the remainder of the season.

Despite having some of the strongest resources across the Championship, it has been a highly frustrating campaign for Saints following on from the accumulation of just 12 points in the Premier League last term.

Will Still was initially handed a long-term contract to take over at the beginning of the season. However, he found himself to be the latest head coach that received their P45 from under-fire ownership group, Sport Republic, on November 2nd after just two wins in 13 league matches.

Southampton initially appeared to have turned a corner under the interim management of Tonda Eckert, but have since regressed once more following the German's full-time appointment in the senior managerial role at St Mary's, having previously taken charge of the club's Under-21s setup.

It has been an intriguing transfer window as far as overall developments are concerned for Saints, who initially signed sought-after goalkeeper, Daniel Peretz, from Bayern Munich on loan, before sending Gavin Bazunu to Stoke City on a short-term deal and eventually sanctioning the permanent exit of Ronnie Edwards to divisional rivals, Queens Park Rangers.

Damion Downs and Ryan Fraser have also exited the club, whilst speculation continues to surround the attacking duo of Adam Armstrong and Cameron Archer.

However, in the final days of the window, Southampton are reportedly keen on securing a deal for the in-demand Mlacic, as they hope to land a major coup in the process.

It has been reported by Dalmatinski Portal that it is unclear as to where Mlacic will be plying his trade in the immediate future, with the 18-year-old becoming the subject of rather intense transfer interest in the latter stages of the current winter window.

It had been claimed on January 22nd that Mlacic was one part of an agreement between Inter Milan and Hadjuk Split that had been 'confirmed', with the Italian giants recently securing the services of fellow highly-rated centre-back, Leon Jakirovic, from the Croat club - the son of Hull City head coach, Sergej Jakirovic.

It was also claimed that Inter had agreed a €5m deal with Hadjuk Split to sign Mlacic after fending off competition from FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, although they were also believed to be content with an agreement that could see the one-time Under-21s international return to the Stadion Poljud for the remainder of the current campaign to enhance his development.

However, the aforementioned publication now states that as many as five teams have submitted offers to sign Mlacic between now and the looming transfer deadline.

As well as relaying Inter Milan's well-documented interest, it has been revealed that Southampton, Roma, Udinese and Club Brugge have entered the transfer saga.

It has been reported that the offer submitted by Saints and the four other European sides is close to the bid initially placed by Inter, and that the interest in the prospect is very much genuine.

Mlacic is reportedly in the midst of weighing up his options, whilst his family and representatives are believed to be in constant liaison with the Hadjuk Split hierarchy over said talks.

The centre-back has made 19 senior appearances for his hometown club thus far, posting two assists.

It remains to be seen what unfolds in this transfer race, but there is no doubting that Saints could eventually land a transfer coup if they were to sign Mlacic.

There are obvious concerns, though, over this potential transfer.

Despite being very much highly-rated, there is no guarantee that Mlacic would immediately slot into Eckert's starting lineup despite Saints' defensive struggles of late, with the rigours of the Championship extremely different to the Croatian top flight.

Saints are also the only non-top-flight side to be involved in this bidding war, whilst Inter, Roma and Club Brugge can offer the potential experience of continental football in either the UEFA Champions League or UEFA Europa League either now or, just as likely, in the long-term.