Southampton find themselves in the difficult position of having to try and build a squad ready to compete with some of the best teams in the world in the Premier League.
With the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool, there is nowhere to hide in the top flight and Southampton will do all in their power to ensure their Premier League return lasts longer than a season.
Relegation in 2023 saw the club drop out of England’s top tier for the first time in 11 years, having gone as low as League One in 2009.
It will be a busy summer of transfer dealings, where targets will be secured and some missed, with fans excited to see what players manager Russell Martin will have at his disposal come the start of the campaign.
Additions are undoubtedly needed, particular when you consider the Saints finished fourth in the Championship before their play-off triumph.
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Owners Sport Republic may look to the last time Southampton were promoted from the Championship to the Premier League in 2012 for inspiration, with the club surviving upon their return before establishing themselves as a top flight regular.
Southampton signings upon Premier League promotion in 2012
Having secured back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League under then-manager Nigel Adkins, Southampton were determined to continue their progression.
This led to them signing eight players in summer 2012, breaking their transfer record twice and spending a total of around £31 million in a bid to get their squad ready for a crack at the big time after a seven-year absence.
There were a couple of cult heroes signed that summer, with recently-retired Steven Davis in particular proving to be one of the best pieces of business in recent club history.
Here are the eight signings Southampton made that summer, with appearance statistics taken from Transfermarkt.
Gaston Ramirez – £12 million
- Signed from: Bologna
- Position: Attacking midfield
- Southampton appearances: 55
- Southampton goals: 8
Jay Rodriguez – £7 million
- Signed from: Burnley
- Position: Striker
- Southampton appearances: 126
- Southampton goals: 35
Emmanuel Mayuka – £3 million
- Signed from: BSC Young Boys
- Position: Striker
- Southampton appearances: 19
- Southampton goals: 1
Maya Yoshida – £3 million
- Signed from: VVV-Venlo
- Position: Centre-back
- Southampton appearances: 194
- Southampton goals: 9
Paulo Gazzaniga – £2.8 million
- Signed from: Gillingham
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Southampton appearances: 23
- Southampton clean sheets: 3
Nathaniel Clyne – £2.5 million (compensation)
- Signed from: Crystal Palace
- Position: Right-back
- Southampton appearances: 104
- Southampton goals: 5
Steven Davis – £800k
- Signed from: Rangers
- Position: Midfield
- Southampton appearances: 226
- Southampton goals: 14
Artur Boruc – Free
- Signed from: Without club
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Southampton appearances: 50
- Southampton clean sheets: 19