There have been numerous updates on the transfer front in regarding Southampton in the last seven days.
One piece of confirmed business is the return of former captain Adam Lallana, with the 36-year-old turning down a new contract at Brighton to move to Southampton for free.
He joins Taylor Harwood-Bellis as an arrival this summer, with the defender’s loan made permanent once promotion was confirmed as per the terms of his deal from Manchester City.
Che Adams’ contract saga continues to rumble on in the background but no decision is expected on whether he signs a new deal at Southampton or elsewhere until the Euros are over.
Here are all the latest Southampton transfer updates from the past seven days.
Southampton ‘frontrunners’ for Flynn Downes
Southampton manager Russell Martin is desperate for the club to secure a return of last season’s loan star Flynn Downes.
Latest reports suggests that deal is getting close, with West Ham United open to selling Downes and Southampton ‘frontrunners’ for his signature.
The Saints believe they can complete a deal for less than £15 million and want to get the 25-year-old signed ready for the start of pre-season.
Southampton are linked with a move for another of Martin’s former players, too, with reports a third bid is set to be made for Swansea City’s Nathan Wood after twice being knocked back last summer.
Martin also wanted to sign Max Aarons last summer, but the full-back opted to join Premier League Bournemouth instead.
With Aarons falling out of favour at the Cherries and the Saints now returning to the top flight, the club are ‘prepared’ to try once more‘ to capture the 24-year-old’s services.
Southampton linked with two former players
Lallana may not be the only ex-Saint to seal a return to the club this summer.
The St Mary’s side are said to be ‘willing to offer up to £6 million’ to re-sign Danny Ings, the centre-forward who left the club in 2021 to join Aston Villa in a move that angered fans.
Despite the awkward exit, Martin is said to want to add an experienced Premier League goalscorer and could sanction a deal.
The other player is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who left Southampton as a 17-year-old in 2010 to join Arsenal.
Now at Besiktas following his contract ending at Liverpool last summer, the Turkish club are keen to offload Chamberlain due to his high wages and Southampton are reported to be rivalling Fulham and Sheffield United for the 30-year-old’s signature.
On the topic of Premier League interest, Martin could make a move for another out of contract player who can add experience and quality to the side with Brentford’s 30-year-old midfielder Saman Ghoddos looking likely to sign once his contract expires at the end of June.
Southampton reignite Matias Soule interest
Southampton have repeatedly been linked with a move for winger Matias Soule over the past few months.
Soule is a Juventus player but impressed on loan at Frosinone in the 2023/24 season, scoring 11 goals and providing three assists despite the club being relegated to the second tier.
Juventus reportedly value Soule at around £34 million, meaning a deal would not have been possible had Southampton not got promoted.
However, with the money associated with a return to the Premier League, the Saints are ‘in the running’ to sign the Argentine but face competition from Leicester and West Ham.
As well as Soule, Southampton are said to be ‘among the clubs interested’ in Aston Villa’s Cameron Archer this summer after the striker returned following Sheffield United’s relegation.
Villa need cash quickly due to Financial Fair Play (FFP) which could expedite a move.
Romain Perraud set to be first Southampton sale of the summer
Southampton are also going to have to make sales this summer in order to free up space in their squad and it looks as though the first of those will be Romain Perraud.
The Frenchman spent last season on loan at Nice in France but did not impress enough for them to trigger their option to buy this summer.
However, Perraud could be set to be offered a career lifeline, with Real Betis looking likely to wrap up a £3 million deal that sees him leave Southampton permanently.