Southampton managed to tie Cyle Larin, James Bree and Daniel Peretz to contracts ahead of next season, in huge coups in their bid for Championship promotion.
However, their efforts to sign Scottish striker Ross Stewart for at least one more campaign came to nothing after the club missed the deadline to trigger his one-year extension.
The Saints now have an opportunity to replace the striker, who was so injury-prone. With Canadian Cyle Larin leading the line for now after joining in a £2.5 million deal from Mallorca, the club can afford to take their time ahead of the new season - but must get this next signing right.
Johannes Spors, German Technical Director at Southampton, will be drawing up his shortlist behind the scenes. These three players have to be in the club’s thinking.
Mateusz Zukowski
Polish striker Mateusz Zukowski has had a rather unconventional career up until now. The 24-year-old single-handedly kept Magdeburg in the 2. Bundesliga last season, scoring 17 goals in 21 games to save the club from relegation, as they finished just two points clear of the drop.
Before becoming a striker, Zukowski spent time as a right-back. A position which ended up moulding the Pole into a handful on the other end of the pitch, he is now a formidable forward.
A goal record of 0.83 per 90 in the 2025/26 season, and a physical presence from his days as a defender, Zukowski could be an excellent signing for Southampton, and shouldn’t cost them the earth to purchase.
Will Lankshear
Tottenham Hotspur youngster Will Lankshear spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Championship club Oxford United, who ended up relegated from the division. Despite this, the 21-year-old scored 11 goals and proved himself to be a handful.
After just one full season in the second tier, it is clear Lankshear is a player ready for another go at the league. This time, perhaps, with a side that will feed him chances more often.
Lankshear matched his xG of 11.08 with goals last season. If put in a side with the likes of Leo Scienza, Finn Azaz, and Tom Fellows, the English centre forward will soar.
Richard Kone
Another young British prospect, QPR’s Richard Kone, could be ready to make the next step this summer.
After signing for the Championship side from Wycombe Wanderers last summer, Kone scored 10 goals in his first second-tier season. Like Lankshear, Kone matched his xG with goals. Put in a side with the creative product of Southampton, his output will only increase.
Signing players with a Premier League ceiling is going to be essential for Southampton this summer, and all three players certainly have the minerals to do so.
It’s now up to Johannes Spors and Tonda Eckert to bring in the Saints’ Ross Stewart replacement. It won’t be easy, but it’s an exciting chance to put the wrongs of failed signing Damion Downs last summer right.
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