Saints Marching
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Southampton: Saints Marching’s perfect January transfer window

By Chris Hughes

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 30: New Liverpool signing Virgil van Dijk attends the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield on December 30, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 30: New Liverpool signing Virgil van Dijk attends the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield on December 30, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 20: Willian of Chelsea celebrates during the Carabao Cup Quarter-Final match between Chelsea and AFC Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on December 20, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 20: Willian of Chelsea celebrates during the Carabao Cup Quarter-Final match between Chelsea and AFC Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on December 20, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Nikos Lemanis – go for experience

IN

  • Olivier Giroud – Permanent from Arsenal (£20 million)
  • Willian – Loan from Chelsea
  • Theo Walcott – Permanent from Arsenal (£20 million)
  • Alfie Mawson – Permanent from Swansea (£15 million)

It’s a lot to ask for in January, but I’d like to see a busy transfer window for Saints. Things can’t get much worse at the moment, so a shake up can only be an improvement. All my inbound choices will be desperate to land a place in their World Cup squads in the summer, so should be highly motivated to play and perform.

We need a striker who can work alone up-front, scores goals and is proven in the Premier League. Olivier Giroud fits the bill on all counts, but will need reliable service. The only problem is he’s out until at least mid-January.

We’ve been one-dimensional and uninspired so far this season, so I’d like to see two more attacking players come in – Walcott and Willian. The latter may be an unusual choice, but I’ve always been impressed by the 29-year-old’s creativity, work rate and final ball. And with regular football surrounded by fans who like him, Theo Walcott could reignite his career back at Southampton.

At the back, I’d like to see Alfie Mawson come in. We need more depth now that Van Dijk has thankfully gone, and Mawson has Premier League experience, quality and youth on his side. And one more that’s not on my list, just in case Ryan Bertrand ends up moving in this transfer window, my ideal replacement would be Jose Luis Gaya from high-flying Valencia!

OUT

  • Florin Gardos – Permanent to lower-half of Serie A (£2 million)
  • Jan Bednarek – Loan to somewhere in the Championship
  • Matt Targett – Loan to somewhere in the Championship
  • Virgil van Dijk – Permanent to Liverpool (£75 million)

Outbound, I’d like to see some players go on half season loans to secure regular playing time. Matt Targett in particular needs to prove that he’s up to standard, and Jan Bednarek needs playing time if he’s going to feature more next season.

This is also our last chance to get any money for injury-blighted Florin Gardos. Surely someone will take him off our hands for a knock down price!