MARLON’S £10M MAN AT SAINTS

SOUTHAMPTON will beat West Ham in the race to sign Barcelona centre-half Marlon after agreeing a £10million fee. The Brazilian (below) is set to become Saints boss Mark Hughes’ third summer signing this week. Marlon, 22, played twice for Barca under Luis Enrique but spent last season on loan at French club Nice. Hughes has already signed Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstrong for £7m and winger Mohamed Elyounoussi from Basel for £16m. But two players who do not have a future at St Mary’s are record £19m signing Guido Carrillo and Sofiane Boufal, who have both been axed from Saints’ pre-season tour of China.