São Paulo defender Welington has agreed personal terms with Southampton and should sign a pre-contract agreement with them in the coming days.
That’s according to TNT Sports Brazil, who report that Southampton have moved to sign the youngster and the Brazilian club have not yet been made aware of the matter.
The 24-year-old’s contract with São Paulo expires in December this year and he is yet to sign an extension to that contract at this moment in time.
The likelihood of that happening now looks slim as TNT report that Southampton have moved to secure his signature, with the player accepting a four-year offer from the Saints.
They had been preparing a contract renewal for the left-back but have seemingly been caught on their heels by Southampton, who have moved to get him on a free transfer later this year.
If they want to sign the left-back this summer they will have to pay for his early release, although TNT Sports offer no price should that be what the Saints want to do.
Perhaps the plan is to get Welington signed to a pre-contract agreement and then approach São Paulo, knowing the Brazilian club will be forced into a sale to avoid losing the player on a free.
Either way, the Saints have been proactive and appear close to getting their man, who is expected to sign that agreement in the coming days.
