Two Players In Every Position Southampton Should Sign Ahead of 2026/27 | OneFootball

By Alex Comber · July 12, 2026

Southampton remain in a positive place, despite the difficult end to 2025/26, which saw them deducted 4 points ahead of the upcoming Championship campaign.

Tonda Eckert’s side go into the season with a fairly settled squad and, unlike a year ago, effectively know their best starting team going into matchday one against Watford.

However, there are still places where signings will need to be made. Chairman Dragan Solak wants to sign a player to compete with Finn Azaz in the attacking midfield position, and the departure of Ross Stewart means a striker will be on Technical Director Johannes Spors’ shortlist.

Other exits are on the cards, with Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Shea Charles, Caspar Jander and Leo Scienza all likely to be of significant interest to other clubs.

The Saints must prepare for the worst, and in this article, we offer our favourite players in every position that could need to be accounted for.

Goalkeeper

As it stands, Daniel Peretz, Aaron Ramsdale, Gavin Bazunu and George Long are on Southampton’s books as first-team goalkeepers, with the former and latter newly signed after loans at the club last season.

Ramsdale and Bazunu will both be heading off; both players will want starting spots elsewhere, with Daniel Peretz the starter at St Mary’s.

With George Long not quite a reliable first-choice backup option, Southampton will need to sign a solid shot-stopper to come in if and when needed.

Alex’s pick:

After signing Daniel Peretz as the first choice, this back-up goalkeeper needs to be prepared to play little to no football, step in throughout the season in case of an injury to the Saints’ shot-stopper, and provide a reliable, chaos-free option.

One smart suggestion that came to light for me when reading The Daily Echo‘s signings article is Brad Collins. The 29-year-old was born in Southampton, played under Tonda Eckert when the now Southampton boss was assistant coach at Barnsley, and is a free agent.

The Englishman has departed Coventry after spending the 2025/26 season on loan at Burton Albion, where he kept 11 clean sheets in 40 League One games. Collins could be a clever coup, as Southampton move on from more financially burdensome backup keepers.

Christian’s pick:

After departing West Bromwich Albion this summer, goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith could offer Southampton a sensible support option on a free between the sticks.

His experience both in a backup position and in English football – playing for the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Derby and the Baggies – could have an immense effect on the dressing room. Spending the latter half of the 25/26 campaign on loan at Middlesbrough, he explained his desire to have an impact in this role:

It’s the exact mentality Southampton needs from their second choice – an experienced figure that’s ready to step in whilst offering direct competition to Daniel Peretz.

Centre-back

Southampton will be desperate to keep hold of their vice-captain Taylor Harwood-Bellis this summer, and for good reason.

The 24-year-old is by far and away one of the best centre-backs in the Championship, as a comfortable all-rounder. He’s really a no-brainer for a mid-table Premier League side, but the Saints won’t want to see that happen.

As a player who’s been a decent servant, if intent on a move, Southampton likely won’t stand in Harwood-Bellis’s way as they may for newer signings. The club must be prepared to replace here, however difficult.

Alex’s pick:

Should Taylor Harwood-Bellis leave Southampton, the club will want to look for a similar player to step into the mould. They won’t be able to replace the 24-year-old’s current ability, but they can match his potential.

In 2023, the club signed their now vice-captain from Manchester City. They should approach the Premier League club again, this time for exciting prospect Max Alleyne, who originally came through the famous Saints academy before heading up north at just 15 years old in 2021.

The 20-year-old spent the first half of the 2025/26 season on loan in the Championship at Watford and became vital at Vicarage Road. Alleyne was recalled in January as Pep Guardiola faced depth issues at centre-back, playing in seven games across all competitions, including the Champions League.

A ball-playing defender and also good in the air, Max Alleyne has all the potential to develop into a top centre-back. He would be an exciting replacement should Harwood-Bellis go.

Similar data between Max Alleyne (25/26) and Taylor Harwood-Bellis (25/26) [DataMB]

Christian’s pick:

With over 100 Championship appearances, Ashley Phillips already has extensive experience. He was nominated for the EFL Championship Young Player of the Season last year while on loan at Stoke.

It proved a critical season for the 21-year-old, as he accumulated his highest minutes tally in a senior campaign. Although not quite as accomplished on the ball as Harwood-Bellis, Phillips has the athleticism to defend aggressively in a high line and recover into wide areas when Southampton commit numbers forward.

Harwood-Bellis operates below the 40th percentile among Championship defenders for aerial and defensive duels. In contrast, Phillips sits in the 77th percentile for both, highlighting his defensive presence at 6″4′.

Tottenham are expected to sanction another loan or even consider permanent offers after Phillips’ successful spell at Stoke, particularly with first-team opportunities remaining little-to-none in North London. Southampton could offer regular Championship football at a club expected to challenge for promotion, making St Mary’s an attractive destination should Harwood-Bellis depart.

Centre midfielder

With Southampton already under transfer pressure from Leeds United to sell Shea Charles, and Caspar Jander linked back to his homeland, Germany, for months, the Saints will be reluctant to let both star midfielders go.

The midfield four of Charles, Jander, Cam Bragg and Flynn Downes is one of Southampton’s biggest team attributes – and they won’t want to lose more than one player from this rotation.

Only signed last summer, Caspar Jander will be the player Southampton will want to hold on to most, with the longer contract until 2029. If any player goes, a signing will have to be made in the heart of the side.

Alex’s pick:

Southampton will be intent on keeping one of Shea Charles or Caspar Jander this summer, albeit conceding that one departs, and that feels a sensible stance. With Leeds’ transfer offers, the Saints will likely agree to sell Northern Irishman Shea Charles in the coming weeks and must keep Jander at all costs as they look to sign one midfielder.

The club have already lost out on a midfield signing to Rangers this summer, with Dan Neil heading to Glasgow. This time, they should poach one of the Scottish club’s targets from under their nose, and that player is Jens Hjerto-Dahl.

The Norwegian, who plays for his homeland club Tromso, is a 20-year-old, 6’4″ centre midfielder with good physical and technical attributes. Hjerto-Dahl is reportedly available for £8.5 million this summer – a decent fee for such a player.

Christian’s pick:

Joining SC Herenveen in the Eredivisie, Marcus Linday has had a standout season. He’s a highly progressive box-to-box midfielder, averaging almost 10 progressive actions per 90. Yet, just as capable defensively, he has the third-highest duel percentage among Eredivise midfielders.

What you should read next

Southampton’s Next Midfield Signing? Why Dan Neil Could Be A Perfect Fit Southampton are reportedly in advanced talks to sign free agent Dan Neil. According to Sky Sports, Neil is high on Southampton manager…

Convincing the Eredivisie club to sell after just one year will not be straightforward. Braga have already shown interest, with a reported €5 million bid being tabled, meaning Southampton would need to exceed that valuation. Championship football may be a harder sell compared to Braga (who have European football this season) unless the player views St Mary’s as a pathway to the Premier League

If the Saints were to lose either Charles or Jander, Linday would be a smart replacement. While the Swedish midfielder stands at 6’2″, he’s a similar profile to that of former Southampton midfielder Mateus Fernandes, posing both a playmaking threat and aggression to win duels.

Similar data between Marcus Linday (25/26) and Mateus Fernandes (25/26) [DataMB]

Attacking midfielder

Southampton Chairman Dragan Solak recently confirmed, “We need somebody able to play at the level of Finn [Azaz] at his position, although the problem is Finn insists on playing every minute.”

While Finn Azaz is key in Tonda Eckert’s system and one of the first names on the Southampton team sheet, he cannot be relied on for all 46 games of the Championship season – a support player will walk through the door during the transfer window.

Alex’s pick:

One of the priority signings set out by Dragan Solak ahead of the transfer window was a support player for Finn Azaz. An option that could come up for the Saints is Japanese attacking midfielder Ryotaro Ito, whose contract at Belgian Pro League side St Truiden expired this summer.

The 28-year-old scored 10 goals and picked up 5 assists in Belgium’s first tier last season, in his best campaign since joining the club from his homeland in 2023.

This could be a clever pick-up by Southampton, as they can’t break the bank in every area of the pitch. Ito would be a great, cost-effective coup and provide a different dynamic to Finn Azaz behind the striker.

Christian’s pick:

Scoring nine goals with one assist last season, Rokas Pukštas could operate as both an understudy to Finn Azaz, providing sufficient competition for the Irishman, and adding cover as an ‘8’ in the midfield.

Similar data between Rokas Pukštas (25/26) and Finn Azaz (25/26) [DataMB]

He currently plays for Croatian side Hajduk Split – a club already on the Saints’ radar, as the South Coast outfit were reportedly interested in their former centre-back Branimir Mlačić in January.

At just 21 years old, Pukštas is intelligent on and off the ball. His willingness to consistently run into the box to have an attacking impact and play between the lines makes him a natural rotational and competitive option for Finn Azaz.

As a natural ball-carrier, consistently looking for the forward option, he also averages over four offensive duels won per 90 while consistently forcing turnovers with over 24 duels attempted per 90.

With only one year remaining on his contract at Hajduk Split, this summer could represent the Croatian club’s final opportunity to command a significant fee. Southampton could be able to negotiate from a stronger position, particularly if Pukštas is attracted by a move into English football.

Left winger

Southampton fans will be hoping this doesn’t happen, but Leo Scienza is a player who could be on the move this summer.

Already a fan favourite just one year into his contract that spans until 2029, Scienza is undoubtedly up there as one of the best left wingers in the Championship. At 27 going-on 28, the Brazilian is in his prime years, but this could benefit Southampton’s transfer stance.

Most transfer deals nowadays are built on potential, rather than current ability. Scienza would be a gamble without much room for return on investment for first-tier sides at his age, and with Southampton surely ready to ask for at least £25 million if they are to part ways with their star player, it’s a fee that could be better spent on younger talent that’s just as fruitful.

Nevertheless, the club must be prepared to sign a replacement should Scienza depart.

Alex’s pick:

The impossible replacement. It’s really hard to imagine Southampton without Leo Scienza at the moment – what a signing he has been – but if needs must, they should go for an exciting option.

Saint-Etienne winger Zuriko Davitashvili would be that man. The Georgian shone in Ligue 2, the second division in France last season, leading all the metrics and bagging 14 goals in 29 matches from the left wing.

Davitashvili would be a statement coup, but a deal could be tricky for Southampton. Everton have been credited with minor interest, but a sideways move to the Championship with aspirations of gaining promotion may be the way to go for the 25-year-old.

Similar data between Zuriko Davitashvili (25/26) and Leo Scienza (25/26) [DataMB]

Christian’s pick:

Aston Villa are looking to recruit funds this summer; Lewis Dobbin looks set to leave for a fee north of £5 million, and Southampton are reportedly interested in the 23-year-old. The English forward would provide a versatile option across the front line for the Saints during a 46-game Championship season.

Over the course of the past year, he scored 10 goals and provided 8 assists while playing as a winger or an accompanying striker, often peeling out wide. He’s now had three consecutive loans to the Championship, each seeing noticeable improvements in output.

Scienza excels on the ball, with double the successful dribbles averaged per 90 than Dobbin. Yet, the Aston Villa forward averages higher in playmaking metrics, with a higher chance creation ratio per 90 (3.16).

Though Dobbin lacks Scienza’s individual flair, the 23-year-old offers a younger, more prolific goal-scoring presence in attack, which could contrast effectively with Southampton’s more traditional wingers like Jay Robinson or Samuel Edozie.

Striker

After a disappointing summer window in 2025 on the striker front, signing eventual flop Damion Downs, Southampton are back in the same position a year later.

Downs remains at the club, as does £15 million disappointment Cameron Archer, with academy graduate Nick Oyekunle ready to break through, but recruit Cyle Larin is a reliable option, fresh after a solid World Cup on a personal level, scoring twice for Canada.

Following the disappointing departure of Ross Stewart at the end of his contract, Southampton will need to be back in the market this summer for a fitter, less injury-prone option.

Alex’s pick:

With the knowledge that Cyle Larin is a (Brampton) Bagsman in the Championship, who came away from the 2025/26 season with the best goals-per-90 record, Southampton will have an extra bit of security in picking their next signing.

The club can afford to sign a long-term option who fits with their Premier League aspirations but must be available to perform to a good standard immediately. On that basis, they should go for QPR striker Richard Kone, who scored 10 goals in the second tier last season.

The 22-year-old joined the Hoops just a year ago but looks ready to hit the next level. His ceiling is certainly the Premier League, and Kone is a player who will provide a slightly more agile but still physically capable option to Cyle Larin.

This would likely be a double-figure signing in millions for Southampton, but there will certainly be a return on investment in this transfer.

Christian’s pick:

After scoring 19 goals in the Bundesliga 2, Eintracht Frankfurt triggered their €1.3 million buy-back clause for Noel Futkeu. The German striker effectively kept Greuther Fürth out of relegation from the second division last season.

Standing at 6 feet, he offers a physical presence capable of replacing Scotsman Ross Stewart. As a younger option, he could be crucial in rotating with 30-year-old Cyle Larin, providing two strikers who offer a strong physical presence without limiting Southampton’s attacking play.

Futkeu, as a more youthful, dynamic partner, could complement the Canadian’s hold-up strength and physical style of play. It’s been revealed that Frankfurt are open to a loan departure, which could allow Southampton to opt for a loan-to-buy approach. That could present the Saints with a pivotal opportunity to secure a high-potential striker, from a division Johannes Spors knows well, without committing to a hefty permanent fee immediately.