SuperSAINT

Sam McQueen’s contract is currently until January according to Dan Sheldon.

“We have to invest this summer and we will within our limits by buying young players who allow us to compete in the future. We will spend in the summer, and we already are well into the process of doing it.” Those comments were uttered by a confident Martin Semmens, Southampton’s chief executive, when he addressed a fans’ forum in May. Since then, Romain Perraud has been signed for a fee believed to be in the region of £11 million and Theo Walcott joined as a free agent on a two-year deal. But while recruitment work continues behind the scenes, there are yet to be any fresh arrivals. Supporters are desperate to see additions, but the transfer market is slow and you expect it will take a sizeable domestic deal to bring it to life. The Athletic has extensively reported that Southampton want to add another full-back to the side and are also looking to bolster their forward line. Manchester United defender Brandon Williams is keen to spend the season on loan at Southampton, although that move has stalled due to the Old Trafford side’s demands over the loan fee. As first revealed by The Athletic, United are seeking more than £2 million and the St Mary’s hierarchy have no intention of meeting it. They are more than prepared to walk away from the table and explore alternative options if a suitable agreement can’t be reached. Uncertainty continues to hang over Danny Ings’ future after he turned down the club’s offer of a four-year contract, which means he’s now in the final 12 months of his current deal. Multiple reports suggest he tops Tottenham’s list of transfer targets, although Southampton are yet to receive any offers for their star man. It has been claimed that Southampton would be reluctant to do business with Spurs after their pursuit of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg left a sour taste in the mouth. But The Athletic understands that there isn’t as much animosity between the two clubs as there once was. That doesn’t mean, however, that Ings will be joining Tottenham. “We need this player, we want him to play for us,” manager Ralph Hasenhuttl said of Ings on BBC radio. “But I think it’s never helpful to go into the last season with one year left — this is what I think he should know.” Southampton remain interested in Blackburn’s Adam Armstrong, a striker compared to Ings, but are not prepared to pay over the odds for a player who is out of contract next summer. Supporters may have seen a clip put out by Southampton on social media, which included Sam McQueen. The 26-year-old defender has endured a tough time since 2018, rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament on loan at Middlesbrough. Although McQueen’s contract expired this summer, The Athletic has learnt he has been given a new six-month deal by the club, taking him up to January. The left-back has been involved in the first-team group since pre-season started, and the short-term extension will afford him the chance to impress Hasenhuttl. After such a horrific setback, Southampton were keen to stand by the defender and offer their support, rather than just cutting him loose once his previous contract ran out this summer. Midfielder Alex Jankewitz departed the club earlier this week, securing a move to Swiss side Young Boys, where he will be managed by former Huddersfield boss David Wagner. The 19-year-old, as first revealed by The Athletic, handed in a transfer request in January after a perceived lack of opportunity at St Mary’s. It brought an end to his three-year stay on the south coast, with his arrival in 2018 coming with plenty of fanfare from the club. Supporters were disappointed to see him leave without the chance to truly show his potential, but it’s a deal that suits both parties. Jankewitz should hopefully get the game time he craves and Southampton believe they have secured a good deal. Sources have told The Athletic that Southampton will receive an initial £1 million for the sale, although that could rise to £4 million depending on certain clauses being met. The St Mary’s hierarchy are also understood to have included a sell-on clause, around the 30-35 per cent mark, should Young Boys sell Jankewitz. That, however, will decrease if the overall fee rises to the £4 million threshold. Callum Slattery is another player who is also likely to depart the club this summer, bringing an end to his 13-year association with the south coast side. The 22-year-old midfielder has garnered a lot of interest and, with only a year left on his contract, it’s understood a permanent switch could be on the cards. Since making his Premier Leaguedebut in February 2019, Slattery has gone on to have loan spells at De Graafschap and more recently Gillingham. Mario Lemina, who is out of contract next summer, continues to attract a lot of interest after spending last season on loan with Fulham. The Gabon international was admired by Newcastle United and has also been noted by Premier League newcomers Watford. But while talks continue between Southampton and potential suitors, it’s believed nobody has been forthcoming with an acceptable offer. Jannik Vestergaard is another player with less than a year to go on his time at Southampton and will have to decide whether he wants to stay put or seek a new challenge. The Denmark international wanted to wait until after Euro 2020 to make his mind up, and it’s unlikely he’ll be short of suitors. Dan N’Lundulu has already left to join Lincoln on loan after signing fresh terms on a new three-year deal at St Mary’s. Question marks also hang over the futures of Michael Obafemi and Shane Long, with both forwards having less than 12 months to go until their contracts expire.

Surprisingly un-Everton-like signings, I thought.

I recall Ralph at one point saying he wanted to get 2 in and then we’d wait until towards the end to see what came up (I’m aware that the Theo thing can be argued isn’t a new signing).

Think Darlow has covid, too.

Barmy. We know he's the top earner at the club. TBH, this is why I think we decided to involve him. I think we spent 2 seasons hoping we could sell him, couldn't, so then it seems like we decided we might actually get more for our money by actually using him.

They both get cheered by the England fans when the come on.

Not sure about this… https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/7417140/celtic-fraser-forster-return-loan-talks-southampton/amp/

If anyone missed it, Ralph's interview with Adam Blackmore made it sound like Obafemi is going to be involved this season.

He never got a scholarship as far as I can tell. If he was released in 2014 then it was Ollie Cook & Alfie Jones who got the nod as academy centre-backs that year.

Was a good interview, I thought. There’s too much noise around Lemina for him to stay, IMO. Supposed Interest here, France, Italy, Turkey & Spain. Can see Moi staying though, which surprises me if you’d told me that a few months ago.

I think we have an ongoing blind spot with goalkeepers & centre-backs at the academy.

I think we might. No real solid links with any other “wide 10’s” yet. You’re ahead of the game, mate.