Southampton may have to free up some space in their squad this summer in order to bring in the calibre of player they need for their Premier League return.
The club had a busy summer in 2023 as owners Sport Republic attempted to offload players on high wages as well as making the inevitable sales associated with relegation.
The likes of James Ward-Prowse, Romeo Lavia and Tino Livramento all went for sizeable fees, but it was more difficult to sell the likes of Paul Onuachu, Lyanco and Armel Bella-Kotchap with no clubs willing to meet Southampton‘s asking price.
Instead those players left on loan to get their Premier League wages off the books, with the Saints hierarchy hoping a good season away from the club could tempt a buyer this summer.
Manager Russell Martin will have to convince the club to repeat the trick with Kamaldeen Sulemana, as currently they will be unable to command anywhere near the £22 million fee they paid for the Ghanaian last January.
Kamaldeen Sulemana proving costly Southampton mistake
Sulemana was signed on transfer deadline day in January 2023 in a desperate bid to stay in the Premier League.
He arrived on the same day as Onuachu on a day that could well be remembered as Southampton’s worst ever in terms of investments.
The Saints broke their transfer record to bring Sulemana in, with the £18.6 million also spent on Onuachu meaning the club threw over £40 million at top flight survival.
Onuachu failed to score a single goal and spent last season on loan at Turkish side Trabzonspor, whilst Sulemana’s only two goals for the club came in the 4-4 draw with Liverpool on the final day of the 2023/24 with Southampton long-relegated.
Having angled for a move away from St Mary’s just six months after signing, Sulemana surprisingly ended the summer transfer window a Southampton player but made little impact even in the second tier.
Three assists was all the former Rennes winger had to show for his 25 Championship appearances come the end of the season, with his disinterested demeanour not helping endear him to fans.
Russell Martin must sanction Sulemana loan
Just one start in the last 30 league games of the season is not what you would expect from the club’s record signing, but that is all Sulemana managed for Southampton as they were promoted.
The 18-cap Ghana international has pace to burn and is a box of tricks but his lack of end product mean it was difficult for Martin to rely on the speedster when it really mattered.
Following a rare start against Liverpool in the FA Cup fifth round in February, Martin spoke on the talents of the youngster but could not hide his disappointment at his lack of efficiency as he said:
“The next step for Kamaldeen is getting things right in the final third. Even when he had a run of games before he got injured he only got three assists.
“He has a lot of moments that should lead to more – he knows that. He is so talented. I thought he was great against Liverpool.
“He was so disciplined in his position and did a good job out of possession for the team. He had some amazing moments with the ball.”
Martin went on to stress the point, as he added: “He [Sulemana] needs to get that last action in front of goal right and become a killer.”
Southampton beat Everton – among others – to sign Sulemana less than 18 months ago and he was a highly sought after talent.
Still only 22, Sulemana has time on his side but it would be a surprise to see him make an impact for Southampton given his lack of involvement at the business end of last season.
Southampton cannot afford to take a huge loss on the £22 million they paid for Sulemana, though, and therefore Martin may have no choice but to sanction a loan in order to try and drive his price up ready for a sale in the near future.
Whilst few clubs would match what the Saints will want for Sulemana in terms of a transfer fee, he is unlikely to be short of suitors for a temporary move.
If he shows the kind of promise that convinced Southampton to hinge their survival hopes on him in 2023, Sulemana could spark a bidding war that helps his parent club recoup close to the fee they paid.