Southampton are gearing up for a fresh start under new manager Will Still whose appointment has garnered plenty of optimisim ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. The English tactician is tasked with trying to guide the Saints back to the Premier League.
There are bound to be plenty of changes made to his squad during the summer transfer window. Both ins and outs can be expected amid veteran players showing regression and top talent perhaps looking to stay in the English top-flight.
Here, we assess Still's squad and run the rule over their short-term futures. Some will be given the green light to continue at St Mary's, others will be sent on loan for vital experience and others will be shown the permanent exit door.
Grading Southampton's Squad
Goalkeepers:
Aaron Ramsdale ( Sell)
It's unlikely Aaron Ramsdale will be staying put at Southampton after suffering his third relegation. There is a £25m release clause in his contract that has become active due to the Saints dropping down to the Championship.
Gavin Bazunu (Loan)
The Irish goalkeeper will likely be keen to replace Ramsdale but he's failed to showcase the credentials to do so. A loan spell at Belgian outfit Standard Liege was branded a "disaster" but another perhaps to an EFL League One side could do him good.
Joe Lumley (Contract Expires)
The veteran English shot-stopper is leaving when his contract expires on June 30.
Alex McCarthy (Keep)
Alex McCarthy signed a new two-year deal with the club only last summer and it feels as though he'll see out the remaining year. The 35-year-old can serve as third-choice keeper and does offer valuable experience.
Defenders
Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Keep)
It was inevitable that Taylor Harwood-Bellis was going to be one of several names to pop up in the rumour mill post-relegation. Reports claim that West Ham United have been keeping tabs on the young English defender but the Saints should do all they can to keep him.
Jan Bednarek (Sell)
The Polish centre-back has been a fine servant for the club since arriving in the summer of 2017. But Still needs to oversee a rebuild and that means offloading those creeping into their thirties and latter stages of their careers. He also sits on a purported £70,000 per week, the club's joint second highest earner.
Armel Bella-Kotchap (Sell)
The French-born German defender spent last season on loan at PSV Eindhoven before injury halted his time with the Dutch giants. But he's eyeing a return to the Bundesliga and a permanent exit is best for all involved.
Nathan Wood (Keep)
Southampton forked out £3m to bring Nathan Wood to the South Coast last summer. It's been a slow start for the 23-year-old but he still has room to grow and could do with consistent game time in the Championship.
Jack Stephens (Keep)
Jack Stephens' future is up in the air and Still might be inclined to put his foot down and indicate a new era. But his leadership could come in handy in the Championship and he's already hinted at staying.
Joachim Kayi Sanda (Keep)
The French teenager only arrived in January and has exciting potential. He could be one to watch under Still who knows how to get the most out of budding prospects.
Juan Larios (Sell)
If Southampton receive a decent fee for the 21-year-old than it could be useful to cash in. La Liga side Sevilla have reportedly been tracking him since he arrived from Manchester City.
Ryan Manning (Keep)
The Irish left-back says he plans to stay and help the club return to the Premier League next season. The 28-year-old's know-how and some standout displays last term should see him remain at St Mary's.
Welington (Keep)
The Brazilian officially joined in January after agreeing on a move in the summer of 2024. He only made 10 appearances in the league but his showings suggest he could be valuable under Still.
Charlie Taylor (Sell)
It's been a difficult spell at St Mary's for Charlie Taylor since joining from Burnley and it started under former manager Russell Martin. The left-back struggled to earn regular game time and an exit could be on the cards.
Kyle Walker-Peter (Contract Expires)
The English full-back is set to depart when his contract expires on June 30.
Midfielders
Joe Aribo (Sell)
There is already talk of Joe Aribo reuniting with former manager Russell Martin at Rangers and a decent deal could help Still rebuild the team. Turkish outlet Sabah suggest that Trabzonspor are keen on the Nigerian.
Shea Charles (Keep)
The Northern Irish midfielder's spell on loan at Sheffield Wednesday was a success but has also placed a ton of eyes on him. Leeds United are known admirers and could swoop but he's a young gem who Still could build around.
Tyler Dibling (Sell)
If the club recieves anything above £50m then it's simply implausible Tyler Dibling stays. The exciting English starlet is wanted around Europe, and while initial suggestions of a £100m valuation were unrealistic it hasn't dissuaded the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United.
Flynn Downes (Keep)
Russell Martin's appointment at Rangers has led to speculation over Flynn Downes joining him at Ibrox. But it's thought that the Saints value him at £20m which may put the Scottish giants off. He caught the eye several times last season.
Mateus Fernandes (Keep)
It could be difficult to keep hold of Mateus Fernandes given he's already been linked with Crystal Palace. But he only arrived last summer from Sporting CP and been a hit thus far and hopefully Still can convince him on the project.
Kuryu Matsuki (Keep)
The Japanese midfielder was another summer 2024 arrival but spent the season on loan at Turkish side Goztepe. He was on two Bundesliga clubs' radars earlier this year but at 22 he deserves a chance to impress.
Will Smallbone (Keep)
This would and should be Will Smallbone's fifth season with the senior team and he merits being a member of the new era at St Mary's. The Irishman's technical game could blend well with the new manager's brand of football.
Forwards
Cameron Archer (Sell)
It just hasn't worked out for Cameron Archer since arriving last summer for £15m. If the club can make a profit on him (he's another one talked up for a Martin reunion) then he should be sold.
Adam Armstrong (Sell)
It's time for the 28-year-old to be moved on after a dissapointing loan spell at West Bromwich Albion. He'll be ruing having turned down a move to Sunderland in February having seen the Black Cats promoted.
Ben Brereton Diaz (Sell)
The Chilean is in a similar situation in which he is headed back to St Mary's this summer following a loan with Sheffield United who failed to earn promotion. The club could have recouped £10m had the Blades triggered a buy option but that now looks unlikely. Get rid anyhow.
Sam Edozie (Keep)
The 22-year-old English winger spent the season on loan at Anderlecht and fared well to potentially stake a claim to become Dibling's replacement. Still can have a proper look during pre-season.
Ryan Fraser (Keep)
Ryan Fraser was frozen out under Ivan Juric but may be relishing an opportunity under Still. The 31-year-old wouldn't really fetch a worthy fee so he offers strength in depth out wide.
Paul Onuachu (Sell)
The Nigerian striker looks to be closing in on a move to Turkish side Trabzonspor at around £4m, per InsideFutbol. This makes sense given the 31-year-old will be out of contract in June 2026.
Jay Robinson (Keep)
The exciting 18-year-old signed a new four-year contract in May. He's here to stay.
Juan Santos da Silva (Keep)
The Brazilian, like Matsuki, spent the season on loan in Turkiye and he was a hit that may soon be knocking on Still's door for a starting role. He is definitely one to keep an eye in upcoming friendlies.
Ross Stewart (Keep)
The Scottish frontman still has much to prove amid a slow adaption to life at St Mary's following a £10m arrival from Sunderland in 2023. But under Still he's got a real chance to become the goalscorer many expected.
Kamaldeen Sulemana (Sell)
A move to Nantes could be a possibility but the Ghanian's days on the South Coast are surely over. He wants out because of his desire to continue playing in a top league and Ligue 1 could be his destination.
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