Russell Martin knows that time is running out to finalise his Southampton squad with the summer transfer window set to slam shut at 11pm.
Southampton have made 11 first-team signings in a busy summer so far, with Russell Martin looking to get the right balance to ensure the Saints do not suffer an immediate relegation back to the Championship this season.
Last season’s loan duo Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Flynn Downes have both signed permanently this summer, whilst the likes of Mateus Fernandes, Yukinari Sugawara, Ben Brereton Diaz and Cameron Archer have all arrived to bolster Martin’s options.
Crucially, a deal for Aaron Ramsdale is on the brink of being completed with Southampton finally resolving their goalkeeper problem for an initial £18 million fee that could rise to £25 million.
Carlos Alcaraz has now left for Flamengo, with Sekou Mara, Romain Perraud, Lyanco, Duje Caleta-Car and Mateusz Lis all having been moved on to raise funds and free up squad space.
Despite a busy summer, there are still plenty of deals that could happen on Deadline Day and here is all the business that could still be done.
Southampton could sign Corinthians striker Yuri Alberto on Deadline Day
With Ramsdale signed to keep the ball out of the Southampton goal, Martin will still feel he needs a player who can fire his side to survival.
Archer scored a brace in the 5-3 Carabao Cup win over Cardiff City, whilst Ben Brereton Diaz is yet to get off the mark for his new side and Southampton could be a little light on firepower this season.
That has seen the club explore a move for Corinthians striker Yuri Alberto.
After an initial offer of a £2.5 million loan fee with a £15 million option to buy next summer was rebuked by the Brazilian side, Southampton could return before the 11pm transfer deadline.
However, the fact Alberto travelled for Corinthians’ game with Juventude in the early hours of the morning suggests there is a lot of work to be done in a very short space of time if Alberto is to be the new striker signing.
This could see a frantic scramble for an alternative which would open the door for a last minute loan and former loanee Armando Broja may well be considered after a transfer to Ipswich Town looks to have collapsed.
Southampton could accelerate move for winger Zakaria Aboukhlal
It is not necessarily just a striker that Southampton are eyeing to improve their attack but a winger too.
Long-term wide target Jack Clarke has now signed for Ipswich, but he will not have been the club’s only option to address the lack of depth in wide areas.
Reports claimed on Thursday that the Saints have opened discussions with Toulouse regarding a potential deal for Moroccan winger Zakaria Aboukhal, with the French club trying to sign Joshua King as his replacement.
There may not be enough time left in the window for Southampton to thrash out the details of a deal for the 24-year-old, but don’t be surprised to see the club spring to action to try and get a winger in whether it be Aboukhal or someone else.
This could be West Ham’s Maxwel Cornet, as Southampton are said to be looking to complete a loan deal ahead of the deadline.
Ryan Manning could be allowed to leave Southampton on Friday
It will not all be about who Southampton can get in on Deadline Day, with the club hopeful that a handful of players will be the subject of bids.
The most surprising of these is perhaps Ryan Manning.
Manning followed Martin in making the move from Swansea City to Southampton last summer and was expected to be one of the first names on the team-sheet.
However, the 28-year-old found himself in and out of the side towards the backend of the promotion-winning campaign and is yet to make a match-day squad in the Premier League this season.
To add to that, Manning was an unused substitute in the Carabao Cup tie at Cardiff despite Martin making 11 changes to his league starting 11.
This looks to be a pretty damning indictment for the Ireland international who will likely be exploring his options.
With so little time left, perhaps a Championship loan is the most realistic solution for the left-back.
Southampton trio Paul Onuachu, Kamaldeen Sulemana and Armel Bella-Kotchap all still ‘for sale’
Southampton made two expensive mistakes on deadline day in January 2023 that owners Sport Republic are still trying to put right.
In a desperate bid to avoid relegation, the Saints broke their transfer record to sign Kamaldeen Sulemana on the same day that they spent £18 million to sign Paul Onuachu.
Neither player has scored a single goal for the club and both have been expected to leave this summer.
Onuachu impressed on loan at Trabzonspor last summer and the Turkish side are keen on a reunion but are yet to offer a fee Southampton deem suitable, whilst the lack of interest in Sulemana tells the story of a failed spell at St Mary’s.
The Turkish transfer window remains open until September 2nd so the need to wrap up Onuachu’s exit is less pressing, but Sulemana could be sold on Deadline Day if a club makes Sport Republic an offer.
Armel Bella-Kotchap made a surprise appearance off the bench against Cardiff after a £12.8 million move to Hoffenheim fell through due to a failed medical.
Any hopes Southampton fans had of this being a surprise U-turn from player and club look misguided as the game-time looks to simply have been a ploy to show any potential suitors he is fit and ready.
The Saints will hope someone takes the bait and makes an offer on Deadline Day so that all parties can move on.