Inter Milan have confirmed the signing of Cedric Soares from Southampton on loan until the end of the season, when the Nerazzurri have an option to sign him permanently.
The 27-year-old will provide cover for Sime Vrsaljko at full-back and his arrival should end Inter's pursuit of Manchester United's Matteo Darmian.
Earlier on Saturday, Inter coach Luciano Spalletti confirmed that his side had moved for Cedric due to insecurity over Vrsaljko's future.
The Croatian defender has seen injury restrict him to just 10 Serie A appearances since he arrived on loan from Atletico Madrid last July, reducing the chances of Inter using their option to sign him permanently in the summer.
"Everybody knows that [Cedric's arrival] is linked to Vrsaljko," Spalletti said at a news conference. "He's working out what to do with Inter and with Atletico Madrid, who own his registration."
Meanwhile on Friday, Chinese private-equity fund LionRock Capital bought a 31.05 percent stake in the club from Indonesian businessman and club's former owner Erick Thohir, Inter said on its website.
No financial details of the transaction were disclosed.
Inter Milan were taken over in 2016 by Chinese electronics retailer Suning Commerce Group, which bought a 68.55 percent stake from Thohir for €270 million ($307m).
Information from Reuters was used in this report.
