Southampton's stunning £157m transfer window predicted with Sunderland, Fulham and Wolves deals

Southampton’s preparations for their return to the Premier League have been somewhat hectic.

With just over a month remaining in the summer transfer window, Russell Martin has been extremely active in the market by completing the permanent signings of loan stars Flynn Downes and Taylor Harwood-Bellis as well as concluding deals for the likes of Chile international Ben Brereton-Diaz, Adam Lallana and highly-rated Peterborough United defender Ronnie Edwards.

More incomings could well be on the way but with the final month of the window now approaching and the Saints first game back in English football’s elite just over two weeks away, we thought we would predict how the remainder of the transfer window could play out for Martin with the help of Football Manager 2024.

Goalkeepers

There was just the one change in Martin’s goalkeeping ranks as Polish stopper Mateusz Lis left the club on a permanent deal to join Turkish side Konyaspor in a cut price deal. Gavin Bazanu remains Martin’s number one with Alex McCarthy and Joe Lumley acting as competition and backup.

Martin’s goalkeeping options: Bazanu, Lumley, McCarthy

Defenders

It was more about outgoings that new arrivals in the backline as six defenders left the club in the final month of the window. The biggest deal saw Armel Bella-Kotchop join Borussia Monchengladbach in a £5.5m deal and James Bree returned to the Championship with Sheffield Wednesday in a £2m move. Ryan Manning joined Ipswich Town on a season-long loan and there were the real-life deals that saw Lyanco, Duje Caleta-Car and Romain Perraud join Atletico Miniero, Lyon and Real Betis respectively. There was one new addition added to the real-life signings that have been made as the Saints handed over £25m for Wolfsburg full-back Ridle Baku.

Martin’s defensive options: Harwood-Bellis, Wood, Bednarek, Edwards, Stephens, Larios, Taylor, Walker-Peters, Sugawara, Baku

Midfielders

There were two sales in midfield as former Manchester City youngster Shea Charles moved to Sheffield United in a £9m deal and Joe Aribo moved to Crystal Palace. The income gained from those deals helped the Saints complete the signings of Luzern youngster Ardon Jashari and Fulham’s Sasa Lukic.

Martin’s midfield options: Downes, Alcaraz, Smallbone, Lallana, Jashari, Lukic

Forwards

There was one major departure in the final third as Sam Edozie joined Premier League rivals Wolves in a £27m deal and he was joined through the exit door by Paul Onuachu as his time as a Saint came to a close with a £3m agreement with Lyon. In terms of incomings, Martin handed over £16m to land Sunderland winger Jack Clarke.

Martin’s forward options: Sulemana, Armstrong, Mara, Stewart, Brereton-Diaz, Clarke

Ins

Harwood-Bellis (£18m from Manchester City), Downes (£13m from West Ham United), Sugawara (£4m from AZ Alkmaar), Wood (£2.5m from Swansea City), Ronnie Edwards (£2.5m from Peterborough United), Charlie Taylor (free transfer from Burnley), Adam Lallana (free transfer from Brighton and Hove Albion), Jashari (£14m from Luzern), Lukic (£8m from Fulham), Brereton-Diaz (£6m from Villarreal), Clarke (£16m from Sunderland), Baku (£25m from Wolfsburg)

Outs

Lyanco (£3m to Atletico Miniero), Duje Caleta-Car (£2.5m to Lyon), Perraud (£2.5 to Real Betis), Adams (free transfer to Torino), Armstrong (released), Charles (£9m to Sheffield United), Onuachu (£3m to Lyon), Edozie (£27m to Wolves), Aribo (£2m to Crystal Palace), Lis (£1m to Konyaspor), Bree (£2m to Sheffield Wednesday), Bella-Kotchop (£5.5m to Borussia Monchengladbach), Manning (loan to Ipswich Town)