SAINTS plan for Brazilian left-back Welington Damascena to stay around the first team upon his arrival from São Paulo, the Daily Echo understands.

Welington, 23, has signed a pre-contract agreement to join the club in January, however Saints are pushing to sign him sooner.

The Brazil under-23s international has already made over 150 appearances for São Paulo and has a Copa do Brazil title to his name.

He will join a long list of left-back options at the club with Ryan Manning, Charlie Taylor, Juan Larios and Jayden Meghoma already under contract.

Saints have received pushback from São Paulo in their attempts to secure Welington's arrival at St Mary's this summer.

Southampton have also agreed to sign his São Paulo teammate Juan, a former Brazil youth international with eight goals in 80 appearances.

The 22 year old forward is likely to join sister club Goztepe on loan to gain regular first-team football before Saints re-assess his situation.

Southampton have already loaned Japanese youth international Kuryu Matsuki to the Turkish side for the 2024/25 season.