Saints facing competition from Napoli to bring defender to St Mary’s.
Southampton are in pole position to sign Cagliari defender Davide Astori this summer but will face competition from Serie A giants Napoli, according to Football Italia.
The Italian international was the subject of €10m (£8.5m) bidding was in January but oped to remain in Sardinia.
Cagliari are understood to be ready to sell the 26-year-old for €12m (£10.15m), with Russian outfit Spartak Moscow and Astori’s former club AC Milan also interested in the centre-back.
Astori has impressed in the heart of Cagliari’s defence this season, making 24 appearances for the mid-table outfit.
Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino is likely to have been attracted by his tough tackling and fine passing out of defence, but discipline remains and issue and Astori has been sent off against both Juventus and Milan this season.
Astori, who joined Cagliari in 2008 from Milan, has two caps for the Azzurri but has not played for the national team since March 2011.
