Southampton’s resurgence under Tonda Eckert has been one of the more compelling stories in the Championship, but even with Saints climbing the table, there’s a sense the club are already planning for what comes next and that planning appears to include life after Jack Stephens.
According to Spanish sports media outlet Sport, Southampton are one of four European clubs tracking Bahia defender Santiago Ramos Mingo ahead of the January transfer window.
Lyon, PSV and Besiktas are among the teams vying for the Argentine's signature. Turkish side, Besiktas, are currently pushing hardest.
Quarshie competition could be a sign of things to come
Stephens has been in and out of the side this season, losing out to Joshua Quarshie three times through Eckert's eight game tenure. But at 31, and with Southampton clearly trying to lower the average age of the squad, recruitment in his position feels less like competition and more like succession planning.
Eckert may be getting a tune out of his current group, but the numbers don’t lie. Saints have conceded 31 goals already this season, with only Hull, QPR, Norwich, and Sheffield Wednesday leaking more goals than the Saints.
If Southampton are serious about sustaining a promotion challenge, and building something beyond it, then defensive reinforcements may be unavoidable. Quarshie doesn't look the most composed on the ball and could be better used in the centre of a back three. Eckert clearly doesn't trust Stephens, especially against teams with genuine pace up top.
Why Ramos Mingo fits the profile to replace Stephens
Ramos Mingo fits the profile for Southampton. At 24, he’s a left-footed centre-back with composure on the ball and an eye for a forward pass. He came through Boca Juniors’ academy, spent time in Barcelona’s B side, rebuilt his career in Argentina with Defensa y Justicia, and is now a regular in Brazil with Bahia.
This isn’t about immediately discarding Stephens, but it is about reducing reliance on him. Recruiting a defender capable of stepping into that role over time would ease the burden and future-proof the squad.
The timing is telling. Goalkeeper links have already surfaced, and now defensive targets are emerging. It points to a wider acknowledgement within the club that the spine of the team needs refreshing. Stephens’ passion is palpable, but his form has been variable for too long.
If Saints can land a player like Ramos Mingo, it would represent a crystal clear impression that Stephens' days at Southampton are numbered.
Under Eckert and technical director Johannes Spors, Southampton are clearly thinking two steps ahead. This isn’t recruitment for depth alone; it’s recruitment for evolution. And for Jack Stephens, it may mark the beginning of the next chapter, even if his career at Saints isn’t over just yet.