Southampton confirm eighth sale of summer transfer window

Southampton have confirmed that they have made their eighth sale of the summer transfer window.

Midfielder and academy graduate Callum Slattery has joined Motherwell on a permanent deal to end his 13-year association with the club.

The 22-year-old joined Saints at age nine and was once considered to be one of the most promising players to come through the club’s youth system. He was also linked with a move to some of the bigger clubs before he broke through.

Now he moves on though and will look to rebuild his senior career in Scotland after making just five appearances for Saints at first-team level.

Southampton sales clearing out room for signings

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

As mentioned before, Saints have now moved on eight players ahead of the 2021/22 season.

Five of those deals are permanent Angus Gunn, Wesley Hoedt, Alex Jankewitz, Callum Slattery and soon Mario Lemina are all given the chance to find new places to ply their trade, whilst three others in Jake Vokins, Dan N’Lundulu and Kayne Ramsay have taken loan moves to develop their games.

Small fees have reportedly been secured for all of the permanent sales and Saints can reinvest now, although they would have liked to bring in more money in an ideal situation.

Interestingly there are spaces now opening up around the fringes of the squad if Saints can find the right players to add the depth they need.

Slattery and Jankewitz would have been fringe options for central-midfield roles and leave space for a young midfielder – either from the academy or via a signing – to fill the void.

Dan N’Lundulu’s departure leaves more refined competition in the striker positions too. This will particularly be true if someone like Shane Long is also moved on and a target like Adam Armstrong is brought in.

Saints have until 31st August to complete all their transfer movements and prepare in the best way for the campaign ahead.