6 players surely set to follow Shea Charles out of Southampton before September 1st | OneFootball

With Shea Charles edging closer to a move to Fulham, FLW takes a look at each player that could follow him out the doors this summer

Southampton midfielder Shea Charles is closing in on a move to Fulham this summer despite heavy interest from Leeds United, as FLW takes a look at six players that could follow him out of St Mary's before the September deadline.

It's been a quiet summer for Southampton so far, with few incomings and outgoings in Hampshire.

The £9 million capture of Lewis Dobbin from Aston Villa is about as much as Saints supporters have had to shout about, whilst the exit of Ross Stewart after failing to agree a new deal will be the departure likely to sting the most.

However, that could be about to change, as Northern Irish midfielder Shea Charles appears to be on the cusp of a £30 million move to Fulham this summer, despite long-term interest from Leeds United, having signed the 22-year-old for around £15 million from Manchester City three years ago.

As Charles is set to become Southampton's first big sale of the window, FLW has taken a look at six players that could follow him out the door before the deadline on September 1.

Aaron Ramsdale

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Aaron Ramsdale hasn't had the greatest time since his potential £25 million switch to Southampton from Arsenal in the summer of 2024.

The former Sheffield United and Bournemouth shot-stopper conceded 66 goals as the Saints were relegated back to the Championship in 2025, and spent last season out on loan back in the top flight with Newcastle United.

Ramsdale would battle for a place between the sticks under Eddie Howe with Nick Pope, but struggled to maintain his place in net for the Magpies, and now, having returned to the South Coast this summer, sees Daniel Peretz and George Long ahead of him in the pecking order.

One of, if not the highest earner at the club, Ramsdale is surely set for an exit before the deadline.

Gavin Bazunu

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Somehow, having a worse time at St Mary's than Ramsdale is Irish goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu.

The 24-year-old joined Southampton from Man City in the summer of 2022 for around £12 million, and has gone on to make just shy of a century of appearances for the Saints across all competitions since.

He started out as the club's first-choice in goal last season under Will Still, but failing to impress, was allowed to join Stoke City on loan in January, where he again failed to impress.

Now back on the South Coast, his time at the club is surely coming to a close, as with one year remaining on his current deal, Southampton could look to cash in now whilst they can.

Yukinari Sugawara

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Japanese right-back Yukinari Sugawara recently represented his nation at the FIFA World Cup, but could be on his way out of St Mary's before the end of the summer.

Sugawara joined Southampton for around £6 million from AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2024, and made 30 Premier League appearances for the club as they were relegated back to the Championship.

He spent last season on loan in Germany with Werder Bremen, with whom he made 31 appearances, and with Southampton in pursuit of another right-back to compete with James Bree following their failed bid for Nolan Galves, Sugawara seemingly has no future on the South Coast.

Cameron Archer

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Cameron Archer is a divisive topic for Southampton supporters, and seemingly for head coach Tonda Eckert.

The 24-year-old played less than 1,000 minutes of Championship football for the Saints last season across 30 appearances, scoring four and assisting three, though has featured regularly in pre-season.

A move to Rangers last January collapsed, whilst West Bromwich Albion have also reportedly been interested in his services, and with the addition of Dobbin, whether he will receive regular minutes for the club next campaign remains to be seen.

Ben Brereton Diaz

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Ben Brereton Diaz, like a few on this list, has had a tricky time at Southampton ever since his £7 million move from Villarreal in the summer of 2024.

The Chilean international would feature just 13 times for the Saints before joining Sheffield United on loan in January 2025, and would spend the entirety of last season out on loan with Derby County, where he grabbed ten goal contributions in 40 Championship games.

The 27-year-old has featured for Southampton during pre-season, though whether he has any sort of role to play for the upcoming campaign is up for debate.

Damion Downs

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German striker Damion Downs joined Southampton last summer from FC Koln in a deal worth £7 million, but played less than 300 league minutes for the club before returning to Germany with Hamburg in January.

He'd again struggle to find form back in his homeland, and though he netted Southampton's only goal in a 1-0 win over Eintracht Braunschweig in pre-season, whether he can get himself ahead of Cyle Larin in the pecking order remains to be seen, as an exit seems the most likely option for Downs this summer.