Southampton look set to continue their busy start to the summer transfer window with the club ‘close to finalising’ a double deal.
Russell Martin knows his squad needs additions ahead of a return to the Premier League and Southampton have already confirmed the free signings of both Adam Lallana and Charlie Taylor.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis‘ loan move also became officially permanent on Monday, although the club already knew he would be signing as per the terms of his loan from Manchester City.
The Saints are showing no signs of slowing down their efforts to get the squad Premier League ready, though, with the St Mary’s club looking to wrap up a double deal as well as making a bid for Bournemouth’s Max Aarons.
Southampton edging towards Ronnie Edwards and Nathan Woods double signing
Even with the permanent capture of Harwood-Bellis, Martin only currently has three senior centre-backs available.
Therefore, the heart of the defence has been identified as a key area to improve this summer; especially as Martin used a back three at times towards the back-end of last season.
With that in mind the club are reportedly now close to sealing a deal for two talented EFL defenders.
That is according to BBC Sport‘s senior football news reporter Nick Mashiter, who posted on ‘X’: ‘Southampton have bid around £6m for Bournemouth’s Max Aarons (which will be rejected if not already). Saints also close to finalising Nathan Wood and Ronnie Edwards deals’.
Southampton set to secure two EFL bargains
Both Wood and Edwards are players Martin is believed to be a big fan of.
- READ MORE: Russell Martin ‘interested’ in signing £10m ‘Rolls-Royce’ after Southampton initiate talks
The Saints boss managed 22-year-old Wood at Swansea City and was keen to take him with him to Southampton last summer but a deal could not be struck.
21-year-old Wood has continued to impress for Peterborough United in League One and looks ready to make the two-division jump to the Premier League to continue his development.
Not only are Southampton set to sign two of the EFL’s most highly-regarded young defenders, but they are set to do it for a bargain price too, as journalist Alfie House has revealed.
According to House on ‘X’: ‘Initial fees as low as £3 million each – which is an absolute bargain. Have to assume there’s some other stuff in there too’.
With the reported fee and the age of the pair, Southampton could be about to safeguard their backline for years to come for just £6 million.