Will Still arrives at Southampton with a growing reputation as one of the brightest upcoming tacticians in Europe. The Belgian-born English coach impressed during his time in France in charge of Reims and Lens.
The 32-year-old has signed a three-year deal at St Mary's and the appointment came just in time for the summer transfer window. A rebuild of sorts can be expected following the Saints' relegation but Still could use his contacts to secure some exciting transfers.
Still worked with several prospects and veteran players who could help him in his bid to steer the South Coast outfit back to the Premier League. With Matthew Ryan looking likely to become, here are four who could follow the young manager through the door.
Four no-brainer Southampton transfer targets with ties to Will Still
Juma Bah - Manchester City
Juma Bah spent the second half of last season on loan at Lens from Manchester City and he's tipped to be a superstar at the Etihad. The 19-year-old joined the Cityzens in controversial fashion, suppoesdly paying off his own £5m contract at Real Valladolid to force through the move.
City reportedly agreed to pay him back (per BBC Sport) but they were eager to sign the Sierra Leone youngster. He appeared ten times under Still at Lens and there are some suggesting Pep Guardiola should keep him this summer rather than send him back out on loan.
If Guardiola is keen on giving Bah more first-team opportunities, then Southampton must swoop ahead of Lens, who, reports in France claim, are keen on keeping. Not only does he have a connection to Still but the two English clubs have a strong relationship following Taylor Harwood-Bellis' £20m move in 2023.
Benjamin Stambouli - Metz
You'll be forgiven for not remebering the name Benjamin Stambouli because the veteran French midfielder was an outcast throughout his time at Tottenham Hotspur. But he has been more successful in his homeland and spent a brief period under Still at Reims.
The 34-year-old is currently at Ligue 2 Metz after leaving Reims when a one-year deal expired in the summer of 2024. He has a year left on his contract and, after a fine past campaign, this could be the perfect kind of signing to give the Saints more experience with a player Still knows. Lesley Ugochukwu needs to be replaced after returning to Chelsea.
Stambouli's comments when joining the Englishman spoke volumes of his intent to help the younger generation. He said he "always had a desire to pass on my experience" and in the twilight of his career he could even venture into Still's coaching staff at St Mary's.
Facundo Medina - Lens
This is more of a long-term dream signing than one for this summer, given Facundo Medina is playing in a Lens team competing in Ligue 1. It feels unlikely the Argentine will want a reunion with Still at this moment, but if the Saints shine heading into 2026, it could be the biggest signing of the Englishman's tenure.
Medina looks set to join Marseille but if that move doesn't occur than a move to England could be in his future. Newcastle and Aston Villa have been linked (per CaughtOffside) but hopeful promotion could see St Mary's become a possible destination.
"But his current manager Will Still loves his combativeness, to the point where he actually admitted he hated facing him before actually becoming his manager" - GFFN.
The 26-year-old would be a must-have for Still given he's been a hero for Lens while working with the English coach. It's not beyond the realms of possibility because Lens like selling to England with Kevin Danso joining Tottenham and Abdukodir Khusanov joining City last January.
Oumar Diakite - Reims
Oumar Diakite joined Reims in the summer of 2023 as Folarin Balogun's replacement and managed five goals in 25 appearances under Still. The Ivorian centre-forward is only 21 and still has room to grow but his potential can't be ignored.
Crystal Palace have previously been linked with Diakite but he's unlikely to displace Jean-Philippe Mateta in Oliver Glasner's team. A move to St Mary's could appease given he'd link back up with Still and have an easier pathway to a number nine starting role.
Diakite could be an ideal acquistion to compete with Ross Stewart and potentially Dom Ballard in Still's attack. The latter seems to get the best out of young frontmen as seen with Balogun and there's a reason he decided on the Ivorian as his replacement.
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