With a week left of the 2026 summer transfer window, there’s work to do for Southampton’s recruitment team and technical director Johannes Spors.
One new signing in defence is close to being finalised, with the centre-back arriving on the south coast of England on Wednesday, but there are other incomings and outgoings that need sorting before the September 1st deadline.
We’ve pinpointed every piece of business that needs to be completed in the final week of the transfer window for Southampton.
Outgoings
Aaron Ramsdale
Had Daniel Peretz not come in and had a fantastic second half of the season for Southampton in the 2025/26 campaign before being signed permanently, perhaps we’d be talking about Aaron Ramsdale as no.1 goalkeeper at St Mary’s.
However, this is not the case, and Ramsdale needs a new lease of life - which he’ll only be able to find by being sold in the final week of the window. If this isn’t possible, perhaps a loan will be the way Southampton free up their wage bill.
Gavin Bazunu
Irishman Gavin Bazunu’s time at Southampton has been nothing short of disastrous in reality. The 24-year-old has a ghastly goalkeeping record in net for the Saints and was swiftly replaced just games into last season by former manager Will Still.
It’s time for a final parting of ways between the two parties. Saints will hope to sell, but a loan may be the only realistic avenue for an exit in reality.
Yukinari Sugawara
Another player who hasn’t had a good time of things on the south coast, Yuki Sugawara proved a defensive liability in the Premier League for Southampton and spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Bundesliga side Werder Bremen.
The Japan international needs an exit, as he sits behind Mads Roerslev and James Bree in the pecking order under Saints boss Tonda Eckert. A sale would be ideal.
Joshua Quarshie
Following the news of Southampton’s latest signing, it became clear that young German defender Joshua Quarshie is set to head out on loan this season.
Due to certain English visa regulations, Quarshie won’t be able to return to the 2. Bundesliga, but could gain some experience elsewhere in the EFL or in another division of Europe.
Cameron Archer
While Cameron Archer had a decent end to last season for Southampton, he’s a square peg in a round hole in the Staplewood ranks. A team built around direct wingers and big centre-forwards; Archer is neither.
The £15 million signing should go down as one of Sport Republic’s worst - Saints should cut their losses.
Ben Brereton Diaz
Another disaster in recruitment from Sport Republic’s attempt at staying in the Premier League in 2024, Ben Brereton Diaz looks a player devoid of any confidence when playing in a Southampton shirt.
With suitors elsewhere in the Championship, Johannes Spors should offload Ben Brereton Diaz at Derby County or Sheffield United before returning with a weight off his shoulders.
Damion Downs
Arguably Johannes Spors’ only big miss in terms of a signing across three transfer windows, Damion Downs is surplus to requirements this summer. The only issue is that no club seems to want him.
However little they can settle for, Southampton should sell Downs and quickly forget about the incredibly poor signing he proved to be.
Incomings
Backup goalkeeper
Following the hopeful departures of Aaron Ramsdale and Gavin Bazunu, Southampton will need to bring in a backup goalkeeper for depth.
A free agent or player on the cheap should be the way to go - and would round off a rebuild in the goalkeeping department very nicely.
Keven Schlotterbeck
Southampton’s newest signing is set to be Keven Schlotterbeck, with the 29-year-old in England to complete a medical at the club after Augsburg and the Saints agreed a deal worth up to £3.8m.
The defender in and around the prime of his career should be an upgrade over Jack Stephens, and will partner Taylor Harwood-Bellis very nicely, as long as the club can keep hold of their vice-captain. It’s a signing that should be confirmed imminently.
Centre midfielder
Hardly a season goes by without the Saints being linked with re-signing James Ward-Prowse. This season is no different, although there does seem to be a little more truth in the rumour this time.
Tonda Eckert has confirmed that Southampton will sign a replacement for Shea Charles this summer, but there’s no apparent key candidate who’s been reported heading into the final days of the window.
A young prospect who can compete for minutes with Flynn Downes, Caspar Jander and Cam Bragg could be the way to go here, as the Saints look for a worthy signing.
Forward signing
If Southampton are to see off Cameron Archer, Ben Brereton Diaz and Damion Downs, one further signing in forward positions would be the cherry on top of a good summer window.
There won’t be scope for the club to break the bank, but a good few million spent on one last luxury item could be a fantastic way to complete a 25-man squad for Saints and Tonda Eckert, as they look to push for promotion in the Championship.
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