Southampton haven't sealed a single incoming signing since it was revealed they'd be splashing out £9m on the services of Lewis Dobbin.
That statement signing was confirmed on the 15th of July, meaning the Saints have nearly gone a full month now without an eye-catching addition being announced.
This long absence of no transfer activity looks as if it will come to an end very soon, however, with a deal edging over the line for Divin Mubama to join Tonda Eckert's ranks on a loan basis from Manchester City.
Mubama's possible move from Man City
Mubama has caught the eye at the Etihad this off-season, as he has powered home three pre-season goals for Enzo Maresca's new-look team.
Still, even with this promising form drawing attention, he is set to join the Saints on loan, with Nicholas Nicholas Oyekunle also sent out on loan from Eckert's men - to Leyton Orient - in a similar set of circumstances.
Scoring five goals during a previous loan spell in the demanding Championship with Stoke City, Mubama will come in and act as second fiddle to Cyle Larin, you imagine, with Ben Brereton Diaz now staring the exit door in the face.
Despite his inexperience of the division, with only one second tier season under his belt with the Potters, Daily Echo journalist Alfie House has opened up on X to reveal that no more "big" striker additions are anticipated, if the deal for the London-born attacker goes through.
The cash won't be splashed out on obtaining flashy new centre-forward, therefore, with the pipedream addition of Zan Vipotnik dead in the water, if it were ever alive at all.
There might be more of a temptation to hijack a deal for this vibrant midfielder, though, with Shea Charles now out the door.
Southampton should also look to hijack this deal
Jordan James is an in-demand man right now.
West Ham United, Middlesbrough, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley are all keen on the wantaway Rennes midfielder with Southampton surely feeling somewhat excluded that they're not in the transfer tussle themselves, considering the clubs listed will be in and around the promotion spaces this coming campaign, you imagine, next to Eckert and Co.
At 22 years of age, the tenacious Welshman is a livewire centrally, with 11 goals and four assists collected commendably last season on the books of Leicester City, who slipped down to League One, despite James' standout performances.
He loves a long-range bullet hitting the back of the net, just like the departing Charles, with this thunderbolt against Sheffield United the pick of the bunch from his Foxes back catalogue, as Michael Cooper was left with zero chance of saving the fierce strike.
Jordan James gives Leicester City hope with this long-range effort! 👀 pic.twitter.com/DIcyvi50X8
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) November 29, 2025
He could offer the Saints something different from the middle of the park, away from the calm approach of both Flynn Downes and Cameron Bragg, with 20 goals and six assists amassed in total in the Championship across four seasons at the exhausting level.
Capable of playing as a defensive option, or further forward as a number ten, James also doesn't look out of place in a lineup down the wings, with two second tier strikes coming his way from the left wing when he was still situated at Birmingham City.
The amount needed to land James is £10m, according to EFL expert Alan Nixon, and with Charles about to leave the South Coast giants for £30m, this might be an inspired next move.
Realistically, it would be a tough deal to win, with the plethora of clubs sniffing around, but do not discount Southampton's draw, as a potential promotion-winning squad continues to be constructed.
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