Southampton will be looking to move on a number of players this summer ahead of their return to the Premier League.
Relegation from the top flight in 2023 saw 19 players leave the club either permanently or on loan and it is those that left temporarily that could be problematic for Southampton this summer.
A combination of clubs not being willing to match the Saints’ valuation of players and a desire to get big wages off the books saw the likes of Lyanco, Paul Onuachu, Duje Caleta-Car, Armel Bella-Kotchap and Romain Perraud spend the season away from St Mary’s.
Despite a Premier League return, it would not be surprising to see none of those names mentioned integrated back into the squad, with manager Russell Martin looking to continue to build the side in his image.
That will mean the Southampton hierarchy will have to find suitors for each player and they may have already done so for one player despite failing to impress on loan.
Real Betis eye move for Southampton’s Romain Perraud
Perraud was brought to Southampton in summer 2022, with the Saints paying Brest £11 million for his services.
When the club were relegated the Frenchman was one player most fans agreed they would like to see stay and be part of the rebuilding process but that was not the case as he joined Nice on loan.
For Perraud’s own career the move made sense, with the opportunity to show his talents in his homeland and potentially seal a permanent move to the club.
However, it did not pan out that way, as Perraud started just three games as Nice finished fifth; unable to displace Melvin Bard as the starting left-back.
With his loan deal expiring, Spanish outlet Relevo have now reported that, despite Nice not looking to sign Perraud permanently, he could be offered a way out of Southampton permanently this summer.
The report claims that Spanish side Real Betis have identified Perraud as a potential solution as they look to strengthen the left-back position and they could make contact with Southampton about a potential deal.
Perraud never going to be favoured by Russell Martin
Perraud did not push hard for a summer exit following Southampton’s relegation and he may well have stayed had things panned out differently.
However, Martin brought Ryan Manning with him from Swansea City on a free and the Irish left-back was always going to be favoured over Perraud due to his skillset and familiarity with the patterns of play Martin looked to implement.
An aggressive defender with an eye for goal with his sweet left foot, Perraud could have been an asset but Martin insisted in the summer that his departure was best for all parties given he did not fit how the 38-year-old manager wanted to play.
Speaking following confirmation of Perraud’s loan, Martin said: “I think Romain is an excellent player, but the way we play is probably not suited to him.
“He’s going to go somewhere that he really suits because he is a good player.
“People suit different ways of doing things. He really suited the way Southampton played before but not so much now – not that I’m saying he couldn’t do it. But he wants to play.”
Unfortunately, he did not play and – with Nice not utilising their option to buy – Southampton will hope Betis act on their interest to make an offer that sees them shift a player with no future at the club.