EVERY summer window throws up some interesting, surprising and simply absurd transfer links and this year was no different.

Saints, relegated from the Premier League and facing a rebuild under new manager Russell Martin, were not spared from this. 

The St Mary's side finalised eight senior signings and are now focused on getting promotion back out of the Championship at the first time of asking.

What could have been, though? Here is every player linked to Saints this summer and where they actually ended up... 

Glen Kamara - Leeds United

The former Rangers man is linked every year but made a deadline-day move to Leeds.

Matt Grimes - Swansea City

The Swansea City skipper was wanted by Martin but signed a new deal in South Wales.

Jay Fulton - Swansea City

The second of many Swansea players linked; nothing ever came close to materialising. 

Morten Hjulmand - Sporting CP

The Danish midfielder was linked to the club in January so it was an easy one to drag up.

Bart Dragowski - Spezia

Polish goalkeeper Dragowski must have a busy agent as he is linked every window. 

Josh Windass - Sheffield Wednesday

After scoring the goal to get Wednesday promoted, Windass likely had lots of suitors. 

Carlos Borges - Ajax.

The Manchester City youngster sadly had bigger clubs after him despite Jason Wilcox's admiration. 

Kian Breckin - Wycombe Wanderers 

Another City youngster who is clearly not quite ready for the level after his loan move. 

Derrick Abu - Saints 

Full-back Abu signed for Saints and joined up with the under-21s team after his Chelsea release. 

Joel Piroe - Leeds United.

Martin's number nine at Swansea was a target but Che Adams' future was not settled in time for a move.

Ben Cabango - Swansea

Another Swansea player linked briefly - the Welsh international stayed at his current club.

Ryan Manning - Saints

Manning on a free deal was a no-brainer for manager Martin and is a regular starter. 

Nathan Wood - Swansea

Saints had a number of bids rejected for the England under-21 international. 

Hamza Choudhury - Leicester 

Choudhury's contract expires next summer but the midfielder remained at the Foxes.

Shea Charles - Saints

City's under-21 captain Charles followed Wilcox to Saints, costing up to £15million. 

Jose Fonte - SC Braga

The Portuguese Euros winner wanted a St Mary's return but was offered a deal in his homeland first. 

Jonny Evans - Manchester United 

Evans was considered as an option but made a temporary return to United, then penning a new one-year deal. 

Grady Diangana - West Brom

The Baggies attacker's name cropped up to the very last moments of the window but his Saints links were less than brief. 

Flynn Downes - Saints

The former Swansea midfielder linked up with Martin again despite admiration from his West Ham boss, David Moyes. 

Amad Diallo - Man United

A link that never seemed likely but the Ivorian youngster helped fire Sunderland to the playoffs in the Championship last season. 

Mason Holgate - Saints

Another one Jason Wilcox and Martin got through the door with Holgate signing on a season-long loan.

Zach Awe - Saints

Another boost for the under-21s side after Awe departed Arsenal this summer. 

Ross Stewart - Saints

Stewart was the final deal Saints got over the line, reinforcing their attacking options. 

Max Aarons - AFC Bournemouth

Aarons looked set for a move to Leeds United before a late swoop from the Cherries down the road. 

Orjan Nyland - Sevilla.

Nyland was incorrectly reported to be joining Saints after a case of mistaken identity. 

Joe Lumley - Saints 

Relegated with Reading last season, Lumley joined to offer backup following Willy Caballero's exit. 

James McAtee - Sheffield United

The Man City youngster rejoined the team he won promotion from the Championship with last season. 

Tiago Gouveia - Benfica

The young Portuguese winger looked set for a move to Cadiz but appears to have been held at his home club.

Joseph Paintsil - Genk

Paintsil must have the busiest 'agent' in the world because he was linked to every club all the time but did not actually get a move. 

Andi Zeqiri - Brighton

Former Basel man Zeqiri could still get a move back to Switzerland, where the window remains open.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis - Saints

The Man City defender might be the club's best business of the summer with a £20million obligation to buy if promoted to the Premier League. 

Luis Lopes - Aberdeen

'Duk', a 23 year old Cape Verde international, remains at Aberdeen despite tenuous links of Saints interest. 

Djed Spence - Leeds United

Regularly linked to clubs all over the country, the former England youth defender joined Championship rivals Leeds on loan. 

Luca Kerber - Saarbrucken

Young midfielder Kerber has helped Saarbrucken climb to the German third tier and remains there for this season. 

Cody Drameh - Birmingham City

Drameh signed on loan for the Blues from Leeds United and was never a serious option. 

Patrick Roberts - Sunderland

Saints failed with a deadline day move for Roberts, feeling Sunderland priced him too high.

Cameron Archer - Sheffield United.

The former Aston Villa youngster was only a brief link before making a permanent move within the Premier League. 

Johan Hove - Gronigen

The mystery man whose Saints deal was done - it never was and that was a surprise report. 

Lawrence Shankland - Hearts

Scottish international striker Shankland has 33 goals in 55 games for Hearts so they are delighted to keep hold of him. 

Ben Johnson - West Ham

The versatile defender was reportedly of interest to Saints but the club did not need to add in his position regardless. 

Bojan Miovski - Aberdeen

The Macedonian international is another one of those linked every window but the Daily Echo was told there was not much in it. 

Ryan Fraser - Saints

Newcastle's Eddie Howe let the cat out the bag but Fraser's loan was swiftly done and he made an immediate impact on his debut. 

Matt O'Riley - Celtic 

Former MK Dons man O'Riley was a genuine target for Saints, the Daily Echo understands, but they did not add in his position in the window's closing stages.

Sydney Van Hoiijdonk - Bologna

The 23 year old Dutchman was a late target for some clubs but remained in Italy. 

Tom Cannon - Leicester 

The Everton striker signed for Southampton's Championship rivals on a five-year deal.

Marc Jurado - Espanyol

The Manchester United youngster was a late name added to the fray but soon after returned to his home country. 

Tojan Buchanan - Club Brugge 

The Canadian international was one of only a few names to crop up on deadline day itself but no real interest materialised.