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Hasenhuttl Expecting In's & Out's Before Transfer Deadline

Ralph Hasenhuttl is confident that by the end of the transfer window on Thursday evening that his squad will have seen some new faces arrive at St Mary's, but going out of the door will also be some familiar faces.

Ralph Hasenhuttl is confident that he will have new additions to the squad this week, when asked the question about a new striker after the game against Manchester United, he had this to say.

"I’m confident. We know what we are looking at, but we have to look at a very good team performance today, the only thing that was missing was the final goal and this was a little bit disappointing today,”

"But the rest was good. We created a lot of chances today and this was absolutely good work from the guys up front."

"Che (Adams) did a good job and Arma (Adam Armstrong) was good. We tried really hard but no final goal today.”

Asked if he has a timeframe for a new striker coming in, he admitted: "Not yet.”

This is good news for Saints fans and there is also likely to be at least one more face through the door, potentially a wing back before the window shuts.

However there are likely to be more outgoings than incoming, Jan Bednarek is said to be close to joining Aston Villa, the defender is said to be unhappy at Saints and wanting to leave, however his hopes for a move to a big club have been dashed and there has been little interest in him up to the last week or so.

Villa would be more of a sideways move, however it seems even they do not want him permanently, although the loan deal is said to include an option to buy, I suspect that Villa are merely buying themselves a bit of time after new central defender signing Diego Carlos was ruled out for the season with injury.

Also on the move could be Jack Stephens who is reportably speaking to Watford.

This dual departure would see Saints short in the centre of defence and could mean that also coming in would be a replacement for Bednarek & Stephens.

Nathan Redmond could also be about to end his 6 year spell at the club, the latest rumour is to Galatasaray in Turkey, some will welcome this, but over the years he has contributed a lot to the club and scored some vital goals, not least the only goal in the League Cup semi final first leg of 2016/17, it will be a shame to see him go.

Another stalwart who looks set to leave is Oriol Romeu who has entered the last year of his contract and with age not on his side, looks set to return to his native Spain, again another sad departure, since arriving for around £5 million 7 years ago he has been one of the most consistent players in the squad and must be considered one of the best signings the club have made in the last decade.

Also potentially departing could be Theo Walcott, he is way down the pecking order and it shows how much stronger in depth the squad is this season, in that all five of these players have been regulars in the past two seasons, yet now they can't get into the side and indeed in some cases even on the bench.

If any or indeed all of these five leave the club, then they should go with the best wishes of Saints supporters ringing in their ears, they have all played a part in Southampton FC during their time here, we all have our favourites and those we don't rate, I hold up my hand's here, but I have never accused them of a lack of effort whilst on the field.

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