Southampton: What other business could the Saints do this summer?

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WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND – APRIL 08: Salomon Rondon of West Bromwich Albion is tackled by Jordy Clasie of Southampton during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Southampton at The Hawthorns on April 8, 2017 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images) /

Further departures?

Whilst their respective roles within the first team greatly differed, the Saints have arguably lost five players so far this window, with Dusan Tadic, Stuart Taylor, Jeremy Pied, Guido Carrillo and Sofiane Boufal all moving on either temporarily or permanently.

In return the Saints have seen Matt Targett and Harrison Reed return from loans to have senior roles, whilst a further four players have been signed by the club.

Thankfully, with those who have already left, the club have gotten rid of those who may of had a toxic effect on the dressing room. However, there is still a lot of dead wood in the squad.

Just half a week ago The Echo reported that the Saints were still actively searching for clubs for both Boufal and Fraser Forster, and getting rid of the latter now seems a priority. It appears that a temporary deal is more likely, with the goalkeeper’s high wages a potential stumbling block.

Aside from the obvious in the English stopper, Southampton’s midfield remains far too stacked for all the players to get enough game-time. Whilst Stuart Armstrong, James Ward-Prowse and Harrison Reed have versatility on their side, the club still have five natural centre-mids outside of those already discussed.

Pierre Emile Hojbjerg and Oriol Romeu both seem safe, but Jordy Clasie, Mario Lemina and Steven Davis could all face the chop.

Clasie seems the most obvious of the trio, with many expecting him to move on after he was loaned to Club Brugge a year ago. He’s however since returned to the first-team and traveled with the team on pre-season. Lemina would be a tough loss, but it may be one out of the side’s control. With Manchester City losing out on their midfield targets, they may turn their attention to the Gabonese international.

Finally, Steven Davis’ Southampton future has been in doubt for much of the summer. The Northern Irishman has lost a leg or two and has also struggled for fitness for much of this calendar year, and many suspected he would join Scottish side Rangers.

Since then, be it because of injury or perhaps something else, the rumour has died out. However, whatever happens, the club need to lose at least one, perhaps even two of those midfielders before the campaign begins.