Southampton have been linked with literally dozens of players in the past few weeks, causing the frothing of mouths across the fanbase, as every rumour was treated like it was a nailed on signing.

The month of June might see the transfer window open, but it sees very little actual business done, however that doesn't stop the rumour mill turning at warp speed.

It is the month that agents have to step up their game, get their clients into the shop window and they do that by claiming that clubs are interested in their clients, hence so fat Saints have been linked with 4 fringe players from the Liverpool squad and somewhere around 12 central defenders, 14 central midfielders, 27 wingers, 8 centre forwards, 17 goalkeepers from elsewhere.

This feeds the frenzy on social media, Southampton FC & Russell Martin routinely accused of a lack of ambition because they have been linked with a 21 year old centre half from League One or at the other end of the spectrum a 32 year old defender from Burnley.

Some of these rumours have substance, some may even see the club make a bid for a player, but the truth is only a fraction of players linked to any club actually end in the player signing, so no point in getting wound up about it.

The reality is that Saints need to build a squad and it is not possible to do it in the order that pleases the fans, we need a balance of youngsters for the future, youngsters ready for the first team now, experienced players in their mid 20's and a player or two 30 + experienced pros, just because the first signing is 36 years old doesn't mean our strategy is to just sign 36 year olds.

Yet not one of the players linked has signed yet, Adam Lallana aside, as a free agent he is the only nailed on signing, Taylor Harwood Bellis is perhaps going to be the second signing, but even this will not take place until after the loyalty bonus's have been paid on July 1st.

So this weekend is the calm before the storm, we will see if Ryan Fraser is happy to move on a permanent deal from Newcastle or whether he is going to hedge his bets for a while, we will see whether Flynn Downes really sees his future at St Mary's and what West Ham's true stance on his transfer is.

Things will start to get real, but even July isn't that busy a month, so far the number of major signings made by Premier League clubs can be counted on one hand, the real business can now start in earnest, but it is all cat and mouse as selling clubs try to drum up interest in a player who is going to go, in the hope that pushes up the transfer fee.

There will be a number of signings made in early July, then it will go quiet again till the start of August, but the busiest time will be the last few days before the window slams shut.

Photo: Action Images

Block8 added 09:25 - Jun 28 If some of the free transfer rumours are true, we could have a squad old enough to fit into the retro shirts on sale now 😂🤣
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underweststand added 10:09 - Jun 28 The last two seasons has seen a massive turnover of players, but now we will likely see the biggest influx since Ronald Koeman started his managerial reign with 9 new signings. Last season we finished with 5 loan players on the books, and 3 others who then went out of contract. Now that the dust has settled, we have Harwood-Bellis permanent, and then hopefully Fraser and Downes back in the fold, plus an untold number of new recruits. Lallana will be the Stuart Armstrong replacement (for however long he lasts) but we need to fill quite a few more gaps - to get a squad even good enough to SURVIVE next season. We will see some of the " dead wood " leaving (already Perraud and Lyanco gone) and a number of our promising young talents going out on loan to Championship / L1 sides where they will regularly play against seasoned pro's who have been around a while. Keeping McCarthy - even for a season - seems a sensible move, but with KWP likely on the move we need at least two more FB's, two more CB's (you can never have enough central defenders in my book)...plus an extra pair of experienced legs in midfield and at least two strikers who can score regularly and not just on high days and holidays. Nuff said!

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IanRC added 13:35 - Jun 28 Really hope the rumour about KWP Is incorrect.
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derbydog added 17:22 - Jun 28 You’re doing it to annoy. THB signed his contract last summer with a clause that kicked in if we were promoted. It is not a new contract or Man City and the player could seek a better deal. Adam Lallana is contracted to Brighton until the end of June. His Southampton contract now signed it would appear is post-dated to July 1st. Not many players’ contracts include annual bonuses any more; performance bonuses are more normal. There is nothing to stop two clubs and a player agreeing a contract in June which clicks in in July if that’s what suits the parties. Or indeed signing a contract now which clicks in next March, as we have done withe Japanese kid we have signed. Or you signing a contract to complete on a house in a month’s time. The more usual reason that clubs delay signing players early in the summer is that they then become liable for the player’s wages. Buying clubs prefer selling clubs to pay those for as long as possible. Finally, there is no apostrophe in bonuses.

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