Playing for Southampton comes with the price tag of pride. Therefore, it is important for Saints fans that any incoming player chooses to play for Southampton for one reason and one reason only: pride.
Pride, in turn, often translates to a desire to play for the badge. It is this desire which can be a difference maker between one and three points, in those crucial moments which require individual brilliance.
That said, we are aware that football is the most money-orientated sport in the world. While players should want to play for Southampton out of pride and a genuine love for the club first and foremost, it is important that Southampton do their part by paying them right.
So, who is the highest paid player at Southampton FC?
Who is the highest paid player at Southampton FC?
1. Joe Aribo (£70,000 per week)
The highest paid player at Southampton is Joe Aribo, who earns £70,000 per week. This, therefore, is an annual salary of £3,640,000. At this stage, Joe Aribo does not earn any bonuses in his current Southampton deal.
Joe Aribo joined Southampton in 2022, after some good years developing at Rangers. It took him a while to settle into life in the Premier League. However, this is only because the Premier League was too high of a jump for him.
In the Championship last season, Aribo looked a lot more settled. In fact, he was exciting in many of the matches he played, warranting being the highest paid player at Southampton.
Penning his deal in 2022, Joe Aribo is under contract at Southampton FC until June 2026.
2. Maxwel Cornet (£65,000 per week)
The second highest paid player at Southampton is Maxwel Cornet. Cornet earns £65,000 per week at Southampton, so £3,380,000 per year. Cornet does not earn any bonuses. The winger is on loan from West Ham United but the Saints cover 100% of his salary.
At this time, Cornet is yet to make a Premier League appearance for Southampton. However, he signed as a player with plenty of promise and excitement to add to the Saints attack.
Cornet is under contract at Southampton until June 2025 because he is only on loan.
3. Jan Bednarek (£60,000 per week)
The third highest paid player at Southampton is centre-back Jan Bednarek. The Polish defender earns £60,000 per week at St Marys, so an annual salary of £3,120,000. In his current deal, Bednarek earns no bonuses.
Jan Bednarek is a long-serving player, playing for Southampton since 2017. He signed from Lech Poznań and has established himself as a fan favourite during this time.
Bednarek can be a bit of a hot-head at times, so naturally he is not popular among other fanbases. However, what matters is that Saints love him. Last season, he was easily one of the best Championship defenders.
Currently, Bednarek is under contract until June 2025.
4. Adam Armstrong (£60,000 per week)
The fourth highest paid player at Southampton is Adam Armstrong. The English striker earns £60,000 per week. This leaves Armstrong on £3,120,000 per year. Armstrong does not earn bonuses at Southampton.
Joining Southampton in 2021, Adam Armstrong has been tied to his current deal for less time than Bednarek. In fact, he only signed his current contract in July 2024, hence why he is placed lower than Bednarek.
The biggest bagsman at Southampton, there is always reason to believe when Armstrong plays. He plays with plenty of heart and his passion for the game comes first. So, he deserves one of the highest salaries at the club.
Signing an extension in 2024, Adam Armstrong is under contract at Southampton until June 2027.
5. Jack Stephens (£45,000 per week)
The fifth highest paid player at Southampton is Jack Stephens. The English defender earns £45,000 per week in his current deal, so an annual salary of £2,340,000. Stephens does not currently earn bonuses at Southampton.
Joining Southampton from Plymouth Argyle as a youngster, Jack Stephens has been a loyal servant for Southampton. In fact, he has been in and around the first-team since 2011, that's quite some tenure for the club captain.
It is worth noting that Southampton loanee Lesley Ugochukwu is on the same wage as Jack Stephens, however, Stephens has been at the club for (much) longer.
Currently, Jack Stephens is tied to his Southampton deal until June 2025.
* All figures and salary estimations are courtesy of Capology