Three Ligue 1 centre-backs Southampton should sign

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BURNLEY, ENGLAND – JANUARY 14: Virgil van Dijk of Southampton arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Burnley and Southampton at Turf Moor on January 14, 2017 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /

After failing to replace the out-going Jose Fonte in January, it seems like a certainty that Southampton will sign at centre-back this summer.

Their case isn’t helped with the increased speculation that team captain Virgil van Dijk could be on his way to one of England’s top sides this summer, leaving the Saints in dire need of new defenders come the end of the season.

Earlier this month Southampton were linked with Toulouse’s Christopher Jullien, sparking debate that Claude Puel may go back to his home nation again to sign players this summer.

Last year Sofiane Boufal was signed from Ligue 1’s Lille with mixed success, but that doesn’t mean that Les Reed and co. wouldn’t be interested in going back across the channel as they recruit for next year.

With that in mind, Saints Marching takes a look at three centre-backs who currently ply their trade in the top tier of French football who could be realistically signed by the Saints.