Southampton’s actions ahead of transfer deadline become clearer

The transfer action that Southampton will complete ahead of the Tuesday’s transfer deadline has just become clearer.

According to Sky Sports’ live transfer blog (30th Aug 2021, 9:08am), Saints could still use their remaining permitted loan to bring in one more signing, whilst loan departures are also likely.

Sky also confirm that striker and academy graduate Michael Obafemi could still depart the club with Championship clubs interested in signing him. Significant options ahead of him at Saints would limit his game time hugely this season and he will want to be playing regularly.

With an incoming loan deal still possible, it seems that there are a couple of previously reported targets that will not be arriving at St Mary’s.

Southampton look for loan with Loftus-Cheek and Maitland-Niles off the table

According to a report from the Athletic, Everton are in talks to sign Ainsley Maitland-Niles from Arsenal on an initial loan deal that includes an option to buy.

It seems likely that the Arsenal man will be moving to Goodison Park before the transfer deadline and this would rule out Saints in the race to sign him. A report from the Mirror back in June suggested that Maitland-Niles was a target for Ralph Hasenhuttl.

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

Arsenal are said to be assessing Everton’s offer but it seems that Rafa Benitez’s side are now frontrunners if a deal is eventually done.

Another player who will surely not be joining Saints in this window is Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Saints have made not less than three separate signings from Stamford Bridge this summer and this has ruled out Loftus-Cheek making the same move. Premier League rules state that a club may loan no more than one player from another top-flight club and Armando Broja has already filled this criteria.

A potential permanent move is also seemingly an option for Loftus-Cheek before the deadline but the high transfer fee and wages required would almost certainly rule Saints out. The Express are reporting the player is assessing his future and the same source noted Saints’ interest back in May.

Reports from the Sun on Sunday (29th Aug 2021, pg 61) claimed that Saints were looking at a £5m deal for young Sheffield United star Daniel Jebbison, although Sky have claimed that the striker is not actively being pursued in this window.