Southampton’s transfer plans have started to become clearer with the summer transfer window set to open on 14th June.
Manager Russell Martin will have identified the key areas to improve the squad this summer ahead of a return to the Premier League.
Southampton already know they will be without Stuart Armstrong, with the 32-year-old confirmed to be leaving upon the expiration of his contract this summer.
Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy could join him with negotiations ongoing to keep the former England stopper beyond this summer.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis is the only signing confirmed to date, with the defender joining permanently upon promotion being secured as per the terms of his loan deal from Manchester City.
Here we have rounded up the latest Southampton transfer news…
Che Adams Southampton contract latest
Like Armstrong and McCarthy, Che Adams‘ Southampton contract is set to expire this summer.
It has widely been assumed the striker would move on given he has had the offer of a new deal on the table for much of the season and has been in talks with Wolves and Nottingham Forest, but the player is yet to make his decision.
Journalist Alan Nixon suggested there is unlikely to be an update on the 27-year-old’s future until after this summer’s European Championships given Adams’ involvement for Scotland.
A departure still seems most likely but there is a slim chance the forward signs new terms at St Mary’s.
Ryan Fraser to Southampton ‘deal agreed’
Reports earlier this week claimed that Ryan Fraser and Southampton have a ‘deal agreed’ to make the winger’s loan move permanent this summer.
Whilst Fraser may have agreed terms with the south coast club, this would count for little if his parent club would not let him leave.
However, latest reports suggest that Newcastle United are looking to agree a pay-off with the 30-year-old to terminate his contract a season early in order to facilitate a move to Southampton.
This would mean the Saints have a clear pathway to add vital experience to their squad ahead of next season and it won’t cost them a penny in a transfer fee.
Southampton eye double European swoop
Regarding new players, Southampton have been linked with moves for two players currently plying their trade on the Continent.
Werder Bremen’s versatile midfielder Leonardo Bittencourt is said to be the subject of Southampton interest and the German club’s director has now confirmed that he would ‘immediately consider an appropriate offer’ with the club ‘always willing to negotiate’.
This could be the push Southampton need to make a bid for a player with 260 Bundesliga appearances to his name.
The Saints are also said to be considering a move for PAOK goalkeeper Dominik Kostarki due to the uncertainty around McCarthy and the fact first-choice Gavin Bazunu is set to be out injured well into next season.
The 24-year-old is fresh off the back of an impressive campaign in which he helped his side to the Greek title and is said to be available for a fee of around £8.5 million.
If Southampton are to firm up their interest then they could face competition from Inter Milan and Parma in Italy so may have to make a decision quickly.
Southampton keen on 18-year-old Argentinian gem
Southampton are not planning to deviate from their recruitment policy of signing young talents and providing them with a pathway to the first team.
This is evidenced by the fact the club are reportedly in ‘ongoing’ talks with Argentinian club Union Santa Fe for the services of 18-year-old striker Jeronimo Domina.
Any deal for Domina is unlikely to have an impact on the Southampton recruitment team’s plans for the first-team, with the attacker expected to link up with the club’s under-21s initially if he does sign.