Southampton are looking for their Ross Stewart replacement this summer, after the 30-year-old Scotsman left the club following the termination of his contract on June 30.
Tonda Eckert’s side lost out on one of their transfer targets, Will Lankshear, as Middlesbrough sought to pay a total £20 million package to sign the Tottenham Hotspur striker, meaning their search is whittled down.
With a bid reportedly on the table for Como’s Ivan Azon but no update as to the status of that £8.5 million offer, the Saints are in limbo as to who comes next.
Tonda Eckert has admitted that the Saints could look closer to home with their next signing - a player who left the club just weeks ago.
The perfect Ross Stewart replacement
If Southampton are looking to replace free agent Ross Stewart with a top Championship striker, their target of choice could just be… Ross Stewart.
Speaking to The Daily Echo, Saints boss Tonda Eckert confirmed that the possibility of the ‘Lochnes Drogba’ returning is very real, confirming, “I'm still in touch with Ross. It's possible [that he could return]. We definitely need a second striker. I think that is very clear.
“There will definitely be a second striker. Let's see who that will be.”
Stewart was rewarded after his most available season in years in 2025/26 with a call-up to Scotland’s World Cup squad. The 30-year-old didn’t get a chance to start a match for the Tartan Army, but even the fact he reached the squad was a credit to his work for the Saints.
A cost-effective pick
Last season, Ross Stewart came up with 10 goal involvements in 25 Championship matches for Southampton, proving to be a reliable option by the end of the season.
The 30-year-old scored in the Saints’ play-off semi-final second leg against Middlesbrough, pulling Tonda Eckert’s side level under the lights at St Mary’s in their eventual victory. Had the win counted by the end of the month, Stewart would likely still be at the club, in the Premier League.
Spygate was the event that took that opportunity away from them, but a return for Ross Stewart could still be on the cards.
With no credible transfer links for Stewart despite being a free agent for weeks, the Scotsman’s former employer could pounce on the chance to sign him back on.
With players like Will Lankshear going for £20 million in the current market, Southampton could see Ross Stewart as the perfect cost-effective option.
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