Southampton’s final-week transfer priorities, outgoings and late additions | OneFootball

With a week left of the 2026 summer transfer window, Southampton have substantial business to conclude on exits and arrivals. According to Sainstmarching.com, a centre-back is close after arriving on the south coast on Wednesday, with more moves targeted before the 1 September deadline.

In goal, Aaron Ramsdale needs a fresh start, ideally via a sale, though a loan could ease the wage bill if required. Gavin Bazunu’s spell has proved disastrous, and while a sale is preferred, a loan may be the only realistic route out.

Yukinari Sugawara struggled defensively in the Premier League and spent 2025/26 on loan at Werder Bremen, so an exit, preferably a sale, is needed. Young defender Joshua Quarshie is set for a loan, but visa rules block a 2. Bundesliga return, so the EFL or elsewhere in Europe looks likelier.

Cameron Archer finished last season reasonably but is a stylistic misfit, and the £15 million signing should be moved on. Ben Brereton Diaz has looked short of confidence and, with Championship interest, he should be offloaded, with Derby County or Sheffield United possible. Damion Downs is surplus to requirements and, despite limited interest, should be sold for whatever can be recouped.

Southampton’s next addition is set to be Keven Schlotterbeck, who is in England for a medical after a deal with Augsburg worth up to £3.8m. The 29-year-old should upgrade on Jack Stephens and pair well with Taylor Harwood-Bellis, and the signing should be confirmed imminently.

A backup goalkeeper will be needed if Ramsdale and Bazunu depart, ideally a free agent or low-cost option. In midfield, Southampton will sign a replacement for Shea Charles this summer, though no clear frontrunner has emerged. A young prospect to compete with Flynn Downes, Caspar Jander and Cam Bragg could fit.

Should Archer, Brereton Diaz and Downs exit, one more forward could complete the window. There is little scope to spend heavily, but a sensible outlay on a final attacking option could round off a 25-man squad pushing for promotion.

Source: Sainstmarching.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”