Dragan Solak drops exciting Southampton FC transfer update | OneFootball

The Serbian's latest statement should provide fresh optimism at St Mary's.

While there is plenty of uncertainty at Southampton, chairman Dragan Solak has been attempting to drive excitement on the South Coast after his recent comments.

Saints head coach Tonda Eckert is being investigated by the FA and is likely to receive a lengthy ban, but that has not stopped Solak from backing him publicly.

Many have speculated whether the club would have to sell star players such as Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Leo Scienza and Shea Charles, having been expelled from the Championship play-offs, but there have been significant incomings rather than major departures.

Daniel Peretz and Cyle Larin have both signed for Southampton permanently, having been on loan, and now Solak has made a real statement of intent with his latest comments.

Dragan Solak addresses Southampton's transfer plans

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Southampton were the form side heading into the Championship play-offs, and many were backing them for promotion after the unbelievable turnaround under Eckert.

Of course, Spygate developments derailed the Saints' promotion charge, and many expected the manager and several big-name players to depart as a result.

However, the club have already made early inroads in the transfer window and have acquired Peretz and Larin permanently after both made superb contributions during their respective loan spells from Bayern Munich and RCD Mallorca.

Now Solak has provided supporters with fresh optimism after comments he made about the club's transfer plans this summer, signposting another promotion challenge next term.

"Our goal for the window is not to make money, it's to make at least the same quality team, if not a better quality team for next season," he told BBC Radio Solent.

"I hope that in the next couple of days we'll have more to show that very early in the window, even before the window, that we mean serious business."

What should Saints fans expect after Solak's comments?

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Southampton's chairman is clearly talking a good game heading into the summer by backing his head coach and alluding to pleasing transfer business, but what might this all mean?

Given that the Serbian said that his goal is to at least have the same quality team next term, then he will surely be aiming to hold on to his key players heading into this summer.

Perhaps that means the club will be looking to tie down some of their key players, as Charles' future seems particularly uncertain, with just a year remaining on his contract.

The 22-year-old recently spoke about how he is looking forward to returning to Southampton this summer while on international duty, and maybe he could be about to put pen to paper.

Of course, Solak is likely also referring to incomings, and supporters will now be hoping that their club is about to confirm more arrivals before the window officially opens on 15 June.