It has been another busy week of transfer news for Southampton with the club preparing for a return to the Premier League.
Southampton have already secured the permanent signing of Taylor Harwood-Bellis with his loan made permanent following promotion and Adam Lallana has joined him on a free transfer.
The club have made a signing for the future too, with 17-year-old Japanese attacker Rento Takaoka set to move to the Saints when he turns 18 next March.
Che Adams’ future is still up in the air with the striker out of contract at the end of the month, but fellow out of contract Saint Alex McCarthy looks set to sign a new deal in the coming days.
Here are all the latest Southampton transfer updates from the past seven days.
Southampton interested in three Liverpool talents
Historically, Southampton players moving to Anfield has been a well trodden path, with the likes of Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk just some of the players to make the switch.
However, it now seems Russell Martin is keen on a raid of the Reds himself, with the club credited with interest in Liverpool trio Fabio Carvalho, Tyler Morton and Sepp van den Berg.
Southampton are said to be ‘monitoring developments’ regarding Morton – who Liverpool value at £20 million – whilst they are one of a number of potential ‘suitors’ for Carvalho after he rejected them in January to instead join Hull City on loan.
Van den Berg is unlikely to have a future at Liverpool and Southampton are ‘in the mix’ to sign the defender who would cost in the region of £13 million.
Kyle Walker-Peters linked with Tottenham Hotspur return
Martin may have to brace himself for an offer for one of his best players, as Tottenham Hotspur reportedly consider Kyle Walker-Peters a ‘low-cost option’ to provide cover at full-back.
The Saints will be reluctant to lose Walker-Peters but will have known his form last season would attract admiring glances.
Southampton have already lost a full-back this week, with left-back Romain Perraud becoming the first sale of the summer as he secured a £3 million move to Real Betis.
Southampton could do business with Spurs this summer regardless of a deal for Walker-Peters as both clubs are interested in negotiating a deal that sees Joe Rodon and Carlos Alcaraz swap clubs; albeit the Saints will demand money plus Rodon in return.
Southampton shopping in EFL this summer
As well as Van den Berg, Southampton are reportedly ‘interested’ in a move for Peterborough United’s Ronnie Edwards.
This would suggest Martin has identified centre-back as a position he wants to add further depth in following the confirmation of Harwood-Bellis’ permanent deal.
21-year-old Edwards would cost around £10 million and is a highly-sought after talent despite playing in League One.
He is not the only EFL player Southampton are keen on either, with the club ‘looking at’ Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson as well as £20 million Jobe Bellingham; facing competition from the likes of Crystal Palace and Brentford for the latter.
The St Mary’s club are also one of a number of sides interested in a move for Middlesbrough’s 18-year-old prospect Ajay Matthews, with the striker confirmed to be leaving the Teesside club this summer.
Hull City’s Jaden Philogene has also been linked but a move seems unlikely for the winger who has also been reported as a surprise target for Barcelona.
Southampton targeting Japan star and another free agent
With the expected interest in Walker-Peters and question marks over James Bree’s ability to make the step up to the Premier League it is not a surprise to see Southampton linked with a right-back.
Having already been linked to Bournemouth’s Max Aarons this summer, Southampton have this week been linked with an £8.5 million move for attacking AZ Alkmaar right-back Yukinari Sugawara.
The Saints are the ‘most likely’ destination for the 24-year-old who has also attracted the interest of Inter Milan.
Finally, Martin is keen to continue to exploit the free agent market after the signing of Lallana and expected arrival of Saman Ghoddos with a move for Bobby De Cordova-Reid.
The club are reported to be ‘exploring a move’ for the 31-year-old Jamaican who can play in a number of forward positions.