Southampton transfer sagas that could still find conclusion this month

The club are also likely to have to replace at least one or two more who make moves to other teams and have the funds to do so.

They have generated a headline figure of over £130million worth of sales with the transfers of James Ward-Prowse, Tino Livramento, Romeo Lavia and Mohammed Salisu.

However, you have to factor in the subtraction of sell-on fees and that the club do not receive all of those fees upfront but instead in instalments. 

Not all of it can be reinvested as the club also battles the drop in revenue from Premier League to Championship, but they will pour back in where necessary.

Martin still faces some uncertainty over how his squad will look in two weeks. Here are the transfer sagas that could still come to a head in the final days of the window…

Che Adams

Che Adams, 27, seems to be set for a move back to the Premier League after Everton have bid £15million for the striker’s services.

Saints are understood to have rejected advances from AFC Bournemouth earlier in the window, as well as an opening offer from the Toffees.

Everton manager Sean Dyche offered no answer on whether a deal is close while Russell Martin is relaxed about losing Adams only if an adequate replacement is found.

Adams has scored three goals in three Championship matches but has just one year left on his contract – his future has been shrouded in noise for over 12 months.

This one looks to be reaching a conclusion this week but if Adams remains at Saints past August, the club will likely reinitiate contract talks.

Nathan Tella

German Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen have been testing the waters over a possible move for Nathan Tella for weeks now and have made their opening offer.

An 18million Euros bid – still more than former loan side Burnley were prepared to pay, is not enough for Saints to sanction a move.

They could return with an improved bid for Tella, who scored 17 Championship goals last season and netted the opener at Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.

The 24 year old may still depart the club this summer and similarly to Adams, this would force the club’s hand in signing a high-profile replacement.

Tella is happy at the club and enjoying working with manager Martin, though, so it will take Leverkusen – or another club – matching the set price tag for any movement.

Kyle Walker-Peters

Martin quipped that Kyle Walker-Peters has been linked with every club in Europe this summer but in terms of actual speculation, there has not been too much.

Walker-Peters, 26 and also contracted to 2025, told the Daily Echo last season that a move away after you have been relegated is never guaranteed for any player.

Crystal Palace were among clubs reportedly interested in Walker-Peters, while Arsenal could visit the former Tottenham man after an injury to Jurrien Timber this month.

Martin is understood to hope Saints put their foot down when it comes to Walker-Peters, after the sale of Tino Livramento for up to £40million in his position already.

The England international seems exactly the sort of player who could be the subject of a late, surprise move from a top club and is definitely one to watch.

Jan Bednarek

Speculation surrounding centre-back Jan Bednarek has been quiet throughout the summer but Martin confirmed prior interest elsewhere on the weekend.

He said Saints rejected a low offer for Bednarek earlier in the summer and nothing has come of it since, suggesting the Polish international is likely to stay.

Martin is understood to be very keen on keeping Bednarek at the club, with Lyanco and unfit Armel Bella-Kotchap his only backup options.

Bednarek is also under contract until 2025, having returned from a loan spell at Aston Villa last summer as former boss Nathan Jones added defensive reinforcements.

Saints could still make a move for another central defender irrespective of Bednarek’s situation and this indicates them being unwilling to let one of their key men here go.

Kamaldeen Sulemana

Kamaldeen Sulemana became the club’s record signing in January when he joined from French Ligue 1 outfit Stade Rennes.

We caught a glimpse of what the Ghanaian international can offer with his impressive brace versus Liverpool in the 4-4 draw at St Mary’s on the final day of the season.

Speaking after the match, he admitted he did not know where his future lies, saying: “My future is not in my hands, we don’t know what the future holds.

“If I am here for the pre-season I will be here and will be ready to put all the hard work needed to bring Southampton back where it belongs.”

Kamaldeen is yet to feature this season after suffering an injury following international duty but no deal has been struck for an exit.

Interest in the 21 year old is no surprise but he would be a welcome boost to Martin’s ranks if still here beyond the start of September.

Although he is signed up to Saints until 2027, it is anyone’s guess what happens with the former FC Nordsjaelland winger.

Armel Bella-Kotchap

Manager Martin wants to keep German international Armel Bella-Kotchap, telling the Daily Echo: “Armel just excites you by looking at him because of sheer size and physicality right? I mean that in a football sense.”

After spending the summer in physio working towards fitness following a hamstring injury, he returned to full training before being sidelined again by illness.

Bella-Kotchap, 21, does have interest from clubs across Europe – with Borussia Dortmund reported earlier in the window – but Saints will not accept a bad deal for the promising defender.

He is likely to feature for the under-21s soon, if available, as he works towards being an option for Martin, the boss has said.

If Saints receive an adequate offer, Bella-Kotchap could still leave this summer and prompt the club to sign a new defender in order to replace him.

Other players

Others linked with a move away at some point this month include Paul Onuachu, Romain Perraud, Joe Aribo, Sekou Mara and Lyanco.

Onuachu’s exit seemed very likely at the start of the window with the player’s team working on potential suitors.

His only appearance for Martin was as a substitute in the EFL Cup defeat at Gillingham and the Nigerian international could still leave.

Romain Perraud suffered from a position change at Gillingham but has been back in Martin’s squads since.

He is the only senior left-back support to Ryan Manning and there have been no solid links to a move away as of yet.

Joe Aribo is reportedly the subject of interest from Serie A side Hellas Verona but is a versatile option for Martin.

With limited midfield ranks already, and the Nigerian international just coming into full fitness, it will be interesting to monitor his progress.

Sekou Mara has, so far, failed to impress Martin but, at just 21 years old, stands to have reasonable potential.

He has been linked with interest from Ligue 1 clubs such as Marseille and will probably need replacing if he does leave.

Lyanco was all set for an exit to Turkey before the transfer fell away last minute and the Brazilian defender returned to Saints.

He is one of only four centre-back options at the moment and any leaving would need a replacement in the final days of the window.