Southampton did their fair share of transfer business this summer, with Russell Martin making 14 first-team signings.
The likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Mateus Fernandes, Yukinari Sugawara and Cameron Archer arrived at Southampton to help with the bid to stay in the Premier League this season.
Russell Martin also welcomed back last season’s loan trio of Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Flynn Downes and Ryan Fraser as all three players signed permanent deals.
Southampton are trying to avoid the fate of all three newly-promoted teams last season, with Burnley, Sheffield United and Luton Town all heading straight back down to the Championship after a solitary season in the Premier League.
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Despite their relegation, there were still some players of real quality in each side’s ranks and here is one player from each of last season’s relegated clubs Southampton should have signed this summer.
Southampton should have pushed to sign Sheffield United talent Oliver Arblaster
One player Southampton were actually credited with interest in this summer is 20-year-old Sheffield United midfielder Oliver Arblaster.
Despite his age, Arblaster was handed the Sheffield United captaincy against Manchester United in April showing just how highly-regarded he is at the Blades.
The England under-20 international has started the new season in fine form with two goals in four Championship games and could have added real quality as well as a steeliness and maturity refelctov elf. a far more experienced player.
Former Sheffield United player Carl Asaba is certainly a fan of Arblaster, saying on Blades Heaven last season: “His performances are brilliant. The way he played against Bournemouth was great.
“To deal with all the hype of the England Elite squad, and then to go and score, it’s just brilliant.”
Just 21 games into his Sheffield United career, Arblaster’s value is only going to rise and perhaps Southampton could have tested the waters with a bid this summer, although you could argue signing the youngster would have been a risk given he would likely have still commanded a relatively sizeable fee.
Southampton could have raided Luton Town for Elijah Adebayo
One of the main areas Martin needed to address this summer was his front line.
Ben Brereton Diaz and Cameron Archer were both added after Che Adams’ departure at the end of his contract had left Southampton light on strikers.
However, it is somewhat surprising that the Saints – or any of the other newly-promoted clubs – did not push to sign Luton striker Elijah Adebayo.
Adebayo scored an impressive ten goals in just 16 Premier League starts last season, including a hat-trick against Brighton in January.
An athletic striker who can hold the ball up as well as run in behind, it is unlikely Adebayo would have cost too much and he could have provided a really dynamic option for Martin up front.
Russell Martin could have added real experience in Burnley’s Josh Brownhill
A player Southampton have been linked with in the past, this summer could have been the perfect time to swoop to sign Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill.
The 28-year-old has 111 Premier League appearances under his belt and is captain of the Clarets, with both his leadership qualities and experience of battling relegation likely to be invaluable to a young Southampton squad.
Like Arblaster, Brownhill has started the new campaign with two goals in four in the Championship matches and will likely again be one of the best players in the division as he was when Burnley won the league at a canter in 2022/23.
Able to play as a holding midfielder, box-to-box or attacking midfield player, Brownhill’s versatility would have been useful to Martin and he could have formed a really strong midfield alongside Downes and one other.
With just one year left on his current contract, it is likely Brownhill would have been available at a cut-price fee too.