Southampton: Should the Saints dip into the loan market again?

As the Premier League’s transfer window comes to a close, Southampton are seemingly done with business as a result of spending all their acquired transfer funds.

It’s a policy that has triggered many including me, as once the Virgil van Dijk money was spent on Guido Carrillo plus the four summer arrivals, the Saints seemingly totally stopped looking for any more recruits this window.

When they went out a limb and bought in a backup goalkeeper and an £18 million centre-back, they perhaps imagined that the likes of Sofiane Boufal, Carrillo and Fraser Forster would bring them in some more funds, but the latter’s future remains up in the air whilst the other two were only sent on loan spells. Their ‘sell to buy’ policy could potentially be hurting their chances at survival as it appears we won’t be getting another striker or winger.

But what if the Saints were to compromise and bend the rules on another of their transfer policies? What if the club were to loan players in for this coming season if they aren’t keen on further outlay?

Granted, since returning to the Premier League, Southampton’s luck in the loan market hasn’t been very consistent – Saphir Taider may as of well of had a revolving door installed at Staplewood, whilst Toby Alderweireld used the club as a stepping stone despite the fact his parent club agreed a clause with the Saints for his sale. Add in the likes of Filip Djuricic’s uninspiring six months, and you can’t blame the club for steering away from temporary deals.

More from Saints Marching

• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 2: Arrivals
• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: Departures
• It’s time to talk about Gavin Bazunu
• Rain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth Argyle
• A lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse

However, if the club are dead set on not spending more than they have received from previous business, then it does seem to make sense to add more depth by signing a player or two on loan.

After all, with only three senior wingers, the added rotation and competition Mark Hughes could get out wide from signing a Charly Musonda or an Izzy Brown from Chelsea can only be positive. Granted, these may not be world beaters, but their presence in depth would definitely be appreciated.

At the end of the day, if Southampton are to lose Mohamed Elyounoussi or Nathan Redmond to injury, they may be forced to shake up their formation which isn’t helpful if they’re in a nice run of form. After all, consistency is key.

Whilst a lot of young talent have their futures for the next campaign sorted out, it remains unclear where Goncalo Guedes fits in now he’s back at PSG, as despite his efforts with Valencia last year he’s unlikely to be above Julian Draxler, Angel Di Maria, Kylian Mbappe or Neymar in the pecking order.

Furthermore when looking again at Chelsea, Marco van Ginkel remains out of the Blues’ plans despite 14 Eredivisie goals last campaign. Tottenham’s Vincent Janssen has returned from an uninspiring spell in Turkey to be the Spurs’ third-choice forward as he’s yet to be loaned out again or sold.

As previously mentioned, these options are from perfect – I personally chose a £20 million striker as my dream deadline day pick in today’s roundtable – however at this point it seems unlikely we’ll see the Saints spend that much money.

Nontheless, these are mostly young players who must all have some level of potential, else the scouts for some of Europe’s finest wouldn’t of snapped them up in the first place. Dipping into the loan market is very much a last chance saloon, but the supporters at least seem to be there with just three days left in the transfer window.