Southampton open the Championship season at Watford this Sunday. The run-up could be the busiest week of their summer, with a verdict, a sale and a cup draw all live at once.
The FA verdict that could reshape the week
Tonda Eckert is still waiting on the FA's ruling over Spygate. It could land any day this week.
He's charged with three breaches of rule E3.1 for authorising the filming of Oxford, Ipswich and Middlesbrough training sessions last season.
Southampton were already expelled from May's play-off final against Hull City and docked four points for the scandal. A touchline ban for Eckert on top would land just as the season kicks off.
Shea Charles finally heads for Fulham
Southampton have agreed to sell Shea Charles to Fulham in a deal worth up to £30m. His medical is booked for Monday.
That's £26m guaranteed plus £4m in add-ons, and Saints kept a sell-on clause.
Charles cost around £15m from Manchester City back in 2023. He spent 2024/25 on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, then made 38 appearances for Saints last season.
Fulham beat Leeds to his signature after Southampton twice knocked back bids from Elland Road.
A cup opponent lands on Monday night
The Carabao Cup second-round draw takes place on Monday evening, with Southampton in the southern section as ball 18. Ties are pencilled in for the week of the 24th August, so Saints will know their opponent within hours.
Eckert's much-changed side saw off Colchester United 2-0 in round one, so there's a run worth building on. Saints Marching has laid out what fans need to know before the balls come out.
The goalkeeper glut needs clearing
Aaron Ramsdale and Gavin Bazunu both sit behind Daniel Peretz and George Long, so a move this week would suit everyone. Peretz is the keeper Eckert trusts, and Long sits next in line.
Ramsdale in particular could draw Championship or Premier League interest this month. Shifting one of the pair off the wage bill would free up room for Eckert's other plans.
Reinvesting the Charles millions
With Charles gone, Southampton need a midfielder, and Eckert now has funds to spend. Flynn Downes, Caspar Jander and young Cameron Bragg are the current cover in the middle.
Crystal Palace's Justin Devenny is one name Saints have been linked with, though he stays a Palace player until anything is agreed. Lewis Dobbin is already in and starting to fill the Azaz-sized hole while Finn Azaz recovers at Staplewood from a shin injury.
A Manchester City loan looks close
Southampton are reported to be closing in on a loan for Divin Mubama from Manchester City. The forward spent last season on loan at Stoke City before returning to his parent club.
Mubama wore the number nine at Stoke and marked his league debut with a goal in a 3-1 win at Derby. The highlight came in November, when he bagged a first career hat-trick in a 5-1 rout of Bristol City.
An ankle ligament injury then wiped out a chunk of his season. He still finished as Stoke's third-top scorer in the league, despite the lay-off.
Mubama would add cheap, hungry competition up top for Eckert. A season-long loan from City would carry next to no risk.
Cameron Archer could be gone by the weekend
Cameron Archer is the flip side of that Mubama move. Southampton are willing to let the striker go once the loan lands.
Interest is building fast. Wrexham have joined West Brom in chasing the 24-year-old, according to reports on the 10th August.
Rangers have also been credited with a look at the former Aston Villa man. Archer cost £15m from Villa in 2024, though he never quite convinced at Southampton.
Saints Marching reckons Southampton could regret selling him if the fee drops too low. A move now would suit everyone.
With Mubama in, Archer slides down Eckert's pecking order. Wrexham are unlikely to break the bank, so whether anyone moves fast enough to seal it before Sunday is questionable.
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