Is a £200m+ Southampton FC takeover set to happen anytime soon? | OneFootball

Football League World analyses the likelihood of a takeover at Southampton.

Southampton owner Dragan Solak is hoping that the Saints seal an immediate Premier League return following their relegation from the top flight last term.

The St Mary's Stadium club endured a poor start to the Championship season under former boss Will Still, but Tonda Eckert has reignited their play-off credentials.

Southampton sold prolific second-tier striker Adam Armstrong to Premier League strugglers Wolves in the January transfer window in a deal worth an initial £7million, as per BBC Sport.

That decision proved that Solak is not afraid to cash in on the Saints' on-field assets if it can help his club's off-field matters.

Eckert's men replaced Armstrong by signing Canada international Cyle Larin on loan from Spanish outfit Mallorca, and he went on to score two goals in his first four appearances for Southampton.

Meanwhile, Football League World take a look at whether Solak could sell his majority stake in the Saints soon.

Dragan Solak may be open to selling his majority Southampton stake - but there are complications

Southampton endured one of their worst seasons in modern times when they were relegated from the top flight with just 12 points to their name last term.

The Saints' tally was just one more than the infamous Derby County side, who were relegated with a Premier League-low of 11 points in 2007/08.

Such a gruelling campaign led to questions regarding Solak's ownership of the South Coast club, while both Russell Martin and Ivan Juric proved to be poor top-flight managers.

Meanwhile, GiveMeSport revealed in 2025 that interested parties may have to pay in excess of £200m to buy Southampton, despite previous suggestions that a bid of £125m would be accepted.

As reported by The Athletic in 2023, Solak took out a loan of £110m in December 2021 to help him purchase the Saints, while GMS suggest that he would want close to double that figure in the event of a club sale.

According to the Daily Mail, Southampton's Championship rivals Hull City were bought by Turkish owner Acun Ilicali for £30m in 2021.

The Tigers have gone on to become one of the best sides in the second tier, but the £30m Ilicali paid to purchase the MKM Stadium outfit is just a fraction of the price Solak wants for Southampton.

Consequently, the Serbian could struggle to sell his 80 per cent stake in the Saints unless he lowers his valuation.

Premier League return would make Southampton sale more likely

Solak acquired his controlling stake in Southampton in January 2022, and the Saints have been on a largely downward trajectory since then, suffering two relegations from the Premier League.

The St Mary's Stadium club successfully defeated Leeds United in the 2024 Championship play-off final, but the board subsequently portrayed themselves as inept in the top flight, as former boss Martin was unable to adapt his playing style to suit the Premier League, but was kept in the job until December 2024.

Martin's successor, Juric, proved an even worse boss than the former Norwich City defender, winning just two games in 16 attempts across all competitions as Southampton were relegated without putting up a fight.

Following such turbulent times, Solak's valuation of £200m seemingly makes a takeover unlikely, but if Eckert can steer the Saints back to the Premier League via the play-offs, it would make the South Coast outfit a more attractive purchase.