A SAINTS loan bid for Strasbourg defender Abakar Sylla has sensationally collapsed on deadline day, the Daily Echo understands.

Saints believe the deal to bring in the 22 year old is completely dead, with media reports in Italy suggesting he will instead join Parma in Serie A.

The expectation is that Saints are unlikely to move for another target with just two hours remaining of the transfer window.

Sylla has made 13 appearances in Ligue 1 this season, scoring once having joined from Club Brugge for a reported €20million in 2023.

Saints had hoped to bring the Ivorian in on a loan deal and had been negotiating an option to buy the centre-back permanently in the summer.

Reports suggested the option would be worth around €15million, with Sylla out of Strasbourg's first team since November.

Saints initiated an offer for Sylla following injury blows to Jack Stephens and Taylor Harwood-Bellis during the 2-1 win over Ipswich Town.

Nathan Wood was also ruled out with injury before the weekend’s trip to Portman Road while Armel Bella-Kotchap is yet to play under Ivan Juric.

Sylla is also a left-footed defender, which is something Saints lack and would make him better suited to playing in Juric's back three system.