Southampton have been acting decisively so far this summer as they look to assemble a squad which gives Russell Martin the best chance of keeping the club in the Premier League.
Southampton fans will get their first glimpse of their new-look team as Russell Martin takes his side to Eastleigh on Friday 19th July to kick off their pre-season friendlies.
Given there have already been six signings this summer, the team could have a very different look to last season; although one of those six is last season’s loanee Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
Another of last season’s loanees could soon join him, with a deal for Flynn Downes edging closer after a breakthrough in negotiations with West Ham United.
However, the next priority once Downes is signed is a striker and an attacking midfielder; the latter threatening to become a problem position.
New attacking midfielder will not come cheap for Southampton
Southampton have lost the player who occupied the attacking midfield position on a weekly basis last season in the Championship with Stuart Armstrong leaving upon the expiration of his contract at the end of June.
Given the need for quality in the final third and the importance of having a creative spark in the top flight, Southampton are likely to have saved a large chunk of their transfer budget to sign a replacement for Armstrong.
The free signing of Adam Lallana will go some to resolving the issue in the most advanced midfield role, but at 36 he will not be able to play every minute of every game.
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This has led to Southampton making a £20 million bid for Celtic attacking midfielder Matt O’Riley.
Martin is keen on the Denmark international who he managed at MK Dons, but Celtic are looking for closer to £30 million for the player who registered 37 goal contributions in all competitions last season.
Attacking midfielders and strikers come at a premium and Southampton could save a fortune through the reintegration of a player who spent the second half of last season on loan, with the player himself keen to stay.
Carlos Alcaraz could step up to be Southampton creative force
That player is Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old midfielder who secured a surprise loan move to Juventus in January.
Southampton only signed the Argentine in January 2023, paying Racing Club £12 million for his services.
Given his age and the fact it was his first move away from his homeland, Alcaraz was a revelation in a struggling Saints side as he scored four goals and provided two assists in 18 Premier League games.
After struggling to gain the trust of Martin and finding Armstrong ahead of him in the pecking order last campaign, Alcaraz was allowed to join Juventus but, with the Italian club turning down the opportunity to trigger a £43 million option to buy, he has returned to Southampton for pre-season.
The language barrier made it difficult for Alcaraz to carry out Martin’s instructions last campaign but he is a real talent and it would be a shame for Southampton not to reap the rewards of that.
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In this regard, it could be good news for the Saints faithful as The Athletic report that: ‘Southampton midfielder Charly Alcaraz has expressed his desire to stay with them this season after returning from a loan spell at Juventus.
Alcaraz is highly thought of and returned to Southampton for pre-season last Tuesday’.
With Lallana to learn off of and a chance to earn Martin’s trust this summer, Southampton could save millions on an attacking midfielder this season with Alcaraz having already demonstrated he has the ability to make an impact in the Premier League.
That money saved can then in turn be spent on a centre-forward to put away the chances Alcaraz will undoubtedly create.