RALPH Hasenhuttl explained why Saints are debating what balance of young and experienced players to bring into the squad, ahead of the summer transfer window opening.

The Premier League confirmed last week the window for trading players will open on Friday, June 10, and continues until 11PM Thursday, September 1.

Under new owners Sport Republic, Hasenhuttl and Saints CEO Martin Semmens had previously declared they would follow the model of signing talented young players to give their first steps.

Daily Echo: Martin Semmens with Dragan Solak and Henrik Kraft of Sport Republic (Pic: Stuart Martin)Martin Semmens with Dragan Solak and Henrik Kraft of Sport Republic (Pic: Stuart Martin)

Last summer’s window was successful for this reason, after the exodus of experienced stars such as Danny Ings, Jannik Vestergaard and Ryan Bertrand.

Supporters had hoped that the club would complete a deal in the January window, the first under Sport Republic, but they kept the same squad of players for the second-half of the season.

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They could now table a first top-half finish of Hasenhuttl’s tenure, while every place in the Premier League is worth around a couple million pounds more in prize money.

“We will move earlier this season, this is for sure,” Hasenhuttl confirmed to the Daily Echo, when asked if the club is already finalising plans for the summer.

“I think we have a squad at the moment where we have young, potential players and they are going in a good way.

Daily Echo: Stars like Tino Livramento are set to remain with the club (Pic: PA)Stars like Tino Livramento are set to remain with the club (Pic: PA)

“The question this summer will be how much of young players we need or maybe even some, I won’t say experienced players but players that give us something different also.”

Saints made eight additions to the squad in the 2021-22 summer transfer window, but only now-33-year-old Theo Walcott was older than 24 from that crop.

Teenagers Tino Livramento, Thierry Small, Dynel Simeu and loanee Armando Broja were among the youngest. Meanwhile, Romain Perraud, Adam Armstrong and Lyanco were all 24-years-old at the time.

Daily Echo: Saints' 2021-22 summer signings (Pics: Southampton FC)Saints' 2021-22 summer signings (Pics: Southampton FC)

Hasenhuttl feels the success of Livramento and Broja in particular has helped restore Saints as a club perceived to be a strong developer of talent.

The opportunities presented to such youngsters can play a big hand in drawing the best teens to St Mary’s.

He continued: “We have to balance it quite well and this is the goal for the summer.

“In the end, we are now back known as a developing club that gives young players a chance to play.

“This is definitely helpful for our transfer activities in the summer, the rest we will look very carefully and see.”

The continual message from Hasenhuttl and the club has been one of moving quickly on targets, but we are yet to see how this operates in practice.

Hasenhuttl and supporters will both hope to see deals concluded in mid-June, while there will also be greater clarity on the goalkeeping situation when contracts are set to expire that month.