The transfer window is almost upon us, so who is being linked with a move to St Mary's this summer, as the name of Southampton is used in vain by agents to try and move on their clients. Read on for the Ugly Inside list of potential incoming players.
The Premier League season has been over just a matter of days and the transfer window doesn't officially open until next week, but already we are into double figures with players being linked with a move to Saints.
The transfer rumour with the most substance so far is in the goalkeeping department where a double swoop appears to be in the offing if we believe the media.
Top of the list is Polish goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski, as reported on this site a couple of weeks ago the Fiorentina keeper, lost his place due to injury early in the season after being the number 1 for several years, he is out of contract in the summer of 2023 and he seems to be on Saints radar and they are described by media outlets in Italy as being in advanced talks.
But he might not be the first goalkeeping signing through the doors at St Mary's, Saints are also being linked with his fellow countryman Mateusz Lis, he at 25 is a year older than Dragowski and is now a free agent after a one year deal with Turkish club Altay SK.
The club were keen to sign him again, but he turned down a new deal after the club were relegated from the top flight in Turkey.
However the twist in this rumour is that whilst the reports suggest he will sign a 5 year deal, it also claims that that he will spend the 2022/23 season out on loan, however, that may be the result of work-permit issues brought about by the post-Brexit era. Lis, although capped for Poland at U21 level does not have a single international cap for the senior Polish national team.
Next rumour seems to be a little strange it is Ryan Fredericks of West Ham, he is another out of contract and has struggled to get a game for the Hammers this season. however he is a right back and it would be strange if we would sign a fourth right back, given we already have Tino Livramento, Kyle Walker Peters & Yan Valery who can play in this position.
However with Tino Livramento out until January and Valery entering the last year of his contract meaning that we might want to cash in on him now, Fredericks could be a contender.
But he is far more likely to return to his former club Fulham, who being newly promoted to the Premier League are looking to strengthen.
Moving up the field a little another name linked is Derby winger Tom Lawrence, he too is out of contract in the summer, but he seems a strange signing to be linked with not just Saints but Leeds, Bournemouth and Fulham in the Premier League whilst Watford, West Brom and Nottingham Forest are also keen.
Given that he is now 28 and his transfer value has never risen above £6 million, Lawrence seems a strange signing.
Manchester is also said to be in Saints radar, from Old Trafford James Garner is being linked and three players from Manchester City, James McAtee, Cole Palmer & Liam Delap .
Garner played for Nottingham Forest on loan and has been an integral part of their march to the Championship play offs, the result of that match could determine his future next season.
Of the City trio, all are speculative, they have played just 6 Premier League games between them, the third has a name familiar to older Saints fans being the son of Saints once record signing back in 2001 Rory Delap, who played around 150 games for the club between 2001-06 , although he missed the 2003 cup final through injury.
However so far Delap Jnr has little more experience in the City first team than his two colleagues and again this link is probably based purely on Saints targetting youngsters last summer.
One rumour that might excite the fans is about Juventus starlet Koni de Winter, his agent has been speaking to the press about his client, according to De Winter’s representative, there are two potential options on the table as the 19-year-old weighs up his next move.
"Either he stays in Turin and forces his way into Max Allegri’s first-team plans, or he leaves for a short-term spell elsewhere. "
"He is a player in great demand on the transfer market, but there are no secrets between us and Juve. There is interest from England, Holland and Germany. We will talk. There is still a lot of time.”
The last man to join us from Juventus was Mario Lemina who did not turn out to be a class midfielder, so we should be a little wary.
According to Italian football media the two clubs in England interested are Saints & Liverpool, given that he would be unlikely to be any nearer the first team at Anfield than he is at Juve, that could well make Saints favourites, that is of course if they are interested.
De Winter is a centre back who will turn 20 next month, but has never appeared in Juventus's first team in any competition, yes Saints need central defenders, but they need experience not youngsters.
So there is no shortage of players being linked with Saints as a new era begins at St Mary's and given that this summer Saints will have a slight advantage in that they have not only their own scouting and black box reports to study, but also the ones that Rasmus Ankerssen will have from his time at Brentford.