Southampton was one of the few Premier League clubs which decided to stick with their struggling manager last season. It didn’t pay off. Mauricio Pellegrino was eventually fired when the team dropped to the relegation zone and was replaced by Mark Hughes. The Saints survived, finishing with 36 points, just three more than the first relegated team Swansea. A new season dawns and Mark Hughes is hoping to avoid a similar destiny to the one he experienced with Stoke City last term. He couldn’t figure out a way to guide The Potters to safety and it cost him his job.
Southampton FC transfer news
Southampton’s off-season has been all about filling roster holes. Borussia Monchengladbach’s centre-back Jannik Vestergaard was acquired as a replacement for Virgil van Dijk, Basel’s winger Mohamed Elyounoussi was brought to take the place of the departed Dusan Tadic (Ajax), while Celtic’s Stuart Armstrong was signed to add some zest to an unproductive midfield.
Alex McCarthy took over the No.1 goalkeeper role last season and was rewarded with a new contract. Meanwhile, Fraser Forster’s contract was not renewed, so he became a free agent. Talented Scottish netminder Angus Gunn was signed from Manchester City to back up McCarthy.
Guido Carrillo and Sofiane Boufal are two players who were deemed unnecessary by Hughes. They were both loaned to Leganes and Celta Vigo, respectively.
Southampton FC transfer rumours
As of now, The Saints are in a position where they have to sell before they buy, at least according to Mark Hughes.
“We will probably have to sell or allow players to go out of the club if we are likely to bring anybody in now I would think.”
“You never know. We have still got a couple of weeks before the start of the season and things present themselves as we know.”
“We have to be ready if we are able to to get in the right type of player who can help us.”
Sam Gallagher
Striker Sam Gallagher is one of those players who could be moved. He has drawn interest from several Championship clubs. Sheffield United and Blackburn Rovers are eager to loan the 22-year-old, while Stoke City have targeted the youngster for €8 million.
Jordy Clasie
Dutch midfielder Jordy Clasie never adapted to life in the Premiership and is another player who could be leaving St. Mary’s. Feyenoord is the club where he made a name for himself and Feyenoord is the club where he could be headed. With two years left on his contract, a loan move seems more likely at this time.
Southampton FC pre-season
The Saints are currently preparing to travel to Evian, France for a one-week training camp before taking on the Dijon on Saturday. Two days ago, Southampton was defeated by Frank Lampard’s Derby County 3-0. It means Mark Hughes’ men have a long way to go before they’re ready for the new season which starts in three week’s time with a matchup versus Burnley at St Mary’s Stadium.
Before then, two more friendlies await against Spain’s Celta Vigo (August 1) and Germany’s Borussia Monchengladbach (August 5).
