News summary
The Saints remain rooted to the bottom of the Championship table on minus one courtesy of the four-point deduction handed down by the EFL as a result of the Spygate saga and a single win in their opening two matches.
A win at home on Saturday could lift the Saints out of the bottom three by teatime, but that won't be easy against a Millwall side filled with momentum.
Millwall arrive top of the Championship table, unbeaten in two, yet to concede a league goal, and with Josh Coburn and Tairyk Arconte sharing four goals between them.
Cyle Larin and Finn Azaz should both start. Eckert rested them for an hour on Tuesday night against West Ham, and Larin has carried the scoring almost single-handedly since the opening weekend.
Caspar Jander is still out of contention. The German has managed only one short pre-season appearance all summer.
The transfer window closes on Tuesday night at 11pm, precisely as the squad is travelling back from St Andrew's after an away match against Birmingham. It is a ridiculous scenario.
Transfer news
Keven Schlotterbeck has signed a three-year deal for a reported fee of £3m. The former Augsberg captain is a left-footed centre-back bought by Johannes Spors to challenge Jack Stephens who has started the season poorly.
Schlotterbeck has "big ambitions" at Southampton, according to his first interview with the Daily Echo. He becomes immediately available for a start against Millwall but that may come too soon for the player who has never played for a team outside of his own country.
Joshua Quarshie has gone out on loan to Austrian champions Sturm Graz. Without an option to buy, it is clear that both Johannes Spors and Tonda Eckert consider him to be one for the future. A season playing in both the Austrian league and the Europa Cup could bring Quarshie's development forward much more quickly than sitting on the bench at St Mary's.
A nominal fee brings James Ward-Prowse back from West Ham. He is in the final year of his contract there, and the club plan to give him the number 30 shirt he wore on debut. He could be a short-term answer in midfield, but the Saints still need a proper ball winner as backup for Flynn Downes.
Ben Jacobs has reported that Manchester United are considering an approach for Harwood-Bellis as Michael Carrick weighs up his defensive options at Old Trafford.
🚨 Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis has been discussed by Manchester United, who are exploring centre-back options #saintsfc @JacobsBen pic.twitter.com/8kE7dN0li1
— SaintsExtra (@SaintsExtra) August 27, 2026
Villa have made three bids, all less than the asking price, and all have been turned down. With a second Premier League club interested, Johannes Spors has no reason to reduce the asking price.
Viking, who have qualified for the Champions League, expect a bidding war between Southampton and Wrexham for centre-back Henrik Falchener. At £7.9m, the fee for Falchener would be a significant outlay and the clearest sign yet that Eckert doesn't believe his squad is robust enough to challenge for promotion.
Stoke City have accepted a loan deal for Ben Brereton Diaz, who reportedly grew up supporting them. Derby County, Sheffield United and West Brom were in the hunt, according to widespread reports, but the Chilean has elected to join the club he watched as a boy.
Bolton Wanderers have inquired about Gavin Bazunu, on loan or permanently. Southampton would rather sell as they have four first-choice keepers on the books. Bazunu and Aaron Ramsdale must surely leave before the window closes on Tuesday night.
Saints Marching opinion
Schlotterbeck's arrival marks the end of the road for Jack Stephens, who was hung out to dry by Tonda Eckert on Tuesday after the West Ham defeat in the Carabao Cup. His signing becomes Southampton's sixth of the summer.
Harwood-Bellis will leave in the next few days, and the bigger issue is finding a proper replacement. Southampton are losing more than a solid defender here. Harwood-Bellis scores his fair share of goals and has a great eye for a defence-splitting pass from deep.
Technical Director, Johannes Spors, will get the asking price for Harwood-Bellis or simply refuse to sell his vice-captain. Contracted until 2028, there is no rush to sell the player.
Ward-Prowse coming back for next to nothing is great business. His experience and quality could be vital in what is destined to be a long and brutal Championship season.
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