Southampton: Saints set to complete six deals on transfer deadline day

Southampton are set to complete six deadline day deals as the winter transfer window draws to a close.

However, it is notable that four of these deals are departures and only one is an arrival.

Cedric Soares completed his move to Arsenal earlier today and will not be returning to St Mary’s after his contract expires in June.

Saints have reportedly made £5m in savings on the deal, with a loan fee and full wages being paid by the Gunners to take the Portuguese international until the end of the current season.

In all, Cedric made 138 appearances for Saints and was quick to thank the club and the fans for supporting him during a spell that included a top-six finish, European football and a League Cup final.

Another player reportedly close to departing today is Maya Yoshida, who is set to join Serie A side Sampdoria on loan until his contract expires in the summer – although it remains unclear whether Saints will trigger the option for an extra year on the Japanese internationals deal.

This news comes via the Daily Echo, who also report that Saints will be paid a £3m loan fee – fairly significant for a 31-year-old into the last five months of his contract.

If he has played his last game at St Mary’s, fans will be sad to see Yoshida leave given his commitment when playing for the club since his arrival back in 2012.

In all, he has made 194 appearances in red and white stripes and has improved hugely since his early days in England.

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

One incoming transfer expected to be confirmed by Saints later today is the signing of young midfielder Jacob Maddox from Chelsea.

Initially reported by Football Insider, the 21-year-old is to sign on a loan deal with an option to buy on South Coast but remain with the Under-23s for this season according to the Daily Echo’s Dan Sheldon.

Football Insider also reported yesterday that Callum Slattery will join Dutch side De Graafschap on loan before this evening’s transfer deadline.

The 20-year-old has made five appearances for the Saints first-team and is said to be very highly thought of by his parent club, but a loan spell could well be what he needs to kick on and become a regular next season.

Two other academy products have also left the club today – one permanently and one on-loan.

Midfielder Harry Hamblin has joined League Two side Macclesfield Town on a free transfer after making 71 appearances for Saints’ Under-18s and Under-23s sides, with his deal with the Silkmen running until the end of the 2019/20 campaign.

Young prospect Kayne Ramsay has joined Shrewsbury Town on a loan deal until the end of the season and could be inline to play in their FA Cup replay against Liverpool on Tuesday.