The exit of Ross Stewart will hurt Southampton, but it will not set them off course as they approach another promotion hunt next season.
A failure to complete the signing of Daniel Peretz, or perhaps the coup of fellow striker Cyle Larin, would have been more damaging in the early stages of the summer. But Southampton now have a new opportunity.
Sporting Director Johannes Spors’ quest to sign a striker last season was unsuccessful, but the German will now have learnt from a costly mistake. The Saints will enter the market for a new signing after Dragan Solak’s recent admission over their transfer policy.
A brand new striker
The early signing of Cyle Larin looks even more crucial now that Ross Stewart has left, after failing to reach an agreement on a new Saints contract.Â
Without the coup of the Brampton Bagsman, who recently scored in Canada’s 2026 World Cup opener, the Saints would be entering pre-season with just Damion Downs and Cameron Archer as out-and-out strikers. They have avoided this situation, and Larin’s presence will give them some breathing room.
Dragan Solak recently told BBC Radio Solent, "Our main goal for this transfer window is not to make money, it's to make at least the same quality if not better team for the next season."
His transfer policy after the signings of Peretz and Larin is to only buy when somebody needs replacing - now they will be in the market to find support in the centre forward position.
A new opportunity
Ross Stewart was undoubtedly a good striker, but Southampton now have the opportunity to better him.
The so-called ‘Lochness Drogba’ was injury-prone, and not the best mobile or pressing striker they could have had. Johannes Spors will have a host of options to replace him with, as the transfer window opens.
The Saints must recruit a striker with a Premier League ceiling who is ready to make an impact in the Championship immediately. Somebody with experience in England would be ideal, after the mishap signing of Damion Downs in 2025/26, which turned out a disaster.
The biggest dilemma Spors and the recruitment team will have is whether they sign a like-for-like Larin profile or not. Stewart and Larin offered something slightly different to each other, which benefited the team last season. This could be the go-to option again.
Whatever happens, the signing of the Canadian striker Larin looks even better business now Stewart has departed. After last season’s Damion Downs mishap, they must assess their next move carefully.
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