Southampton have been linked with a swoop for Barcelona defender Jean-Clair Todibo, and it is a deal that could work out well for all parties involved.

According to claims from the printed edition of The Sunday People, as cited in a report from HITC, the Saints want to recruit the youngster on a season-long loan deal.

Todibo joined Barcelona last January after showing his talent in the Toulouse first team, but it seems they are keen for the Frenchman to depart temporarily and gain valuable experience elsewhere.

Read Southampton’s verdict

It is obvious that the Saints are in dire need of a new central defender. Their woes at the back have been documented throughout the past two seasons, and reinforcing the squad with additional quality is necessary.

Octavio Passos/Getty Images Sport

Wesley Hoedt and Jack Stephens have proven time and time again that they are substandard, while the likes of Jannik Vestergaard and Jan Bednarek have displayed signs of quality. Maya Yoshida remains a reliable backup option, but whether or not he is capable of starting week-in, week-out is up for debate.

Many have suggested that Southampton should pursue an experienced player to strengthen their back-line, and Todibo would be the antithesis of this approach. However, signing the 19-year-old would represent another nod to the ethos of Ralph Hasenhuttl and Ross Wilson, with players under the age of 24 being targeted.

The centre-back’s chances of playing for Barcelona this season are slim. Gerard Pique was fantastic last term, while Clement Lenglet and Samuel Umtiti are both high-quality options who Ernesto Valverde is likely to favour throughout.

Todibo’s best chance of securing regular game time will come in the form of pastures new, and Southampton may be the perfect destination. While the Saints would perhaps be reluctant to only land a player temporarily to fix what has become a permanent issue in their ranks, the France Under-20 international boasts incredible potential.

Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images Sport

Although he has looked relatively comfortable in the Barcelona side, the best evidence of his qualities prevails when his tenure at Toulouse is assessed. He was integrated from the youth setup as Issa Diop’s replacement following the defender’s move to West Ham United in 2018 and was hardly fazed by the step up to senior football.

Todibo is collected in possession and is an intelligent defender. He reads the game well, brings the ball out from defence with consummate ease, and positions himself to thwart forwards’ movement in the area when his team are defending deeper.

At just 19, and on a loan deal, it would be a case of papering over the cracks for Southampton. However, for one season only, Todibo would undoubtedly improve their back-line, and everyone can benefit; the player will improve with weekly football, the Saints will strengthen their defence, and Barcelona would take the Frenchman back following a potentially rewarding season away from Camp Nou.

Would Todibo fix Southampton's defensive woes?

Yes

No