THE January transfer window is typically quieter than its predecessor but this year it has been especially so.
Saints managed to get two senior signings over the line and fulfilled their ambitions for the month.
However, several surprise names cropped up throughout the winter window - with some actual club targets and others complete fantasy.
What could have been? Here is every player linked to Saints this month and where they actually ended up...
Matias Soule - Frosinone (no transfer)
Saints were linked with a £30million January move for the Argentine winger but this was entirely implausible.
Bojan Miovski - Aberdeen (no transfer)
The North Macedonian is scoring goals for fun in Scotland and has been linked for at least the last few windows - Celtic looked the most likely suitors.
Ben Johnson - West Ham (no transfer)
The Hammers defender was also linked in the summer but interest was reportedly retained. West Ham rejected a late approach from Crystal Palace.
Jack Hastings - Larne FC (no transfer)
Saints were named among several Premier League and Championship clubs said to be interested in the Northern Ireland youth international.
Joe O’Brien Whitmarsh - Saints
The 18 year old Irish midfielder was confirmed earlier in the month and has made his under-21s debut.
Charlie Cresswell - Leeds United (no transfer)
Unsure about this link as defence is a position Saints just did not need to strengthen in. Maybe agent talk.
Vimal Yoganathan - Barnsley (no transfer)
The 18 year old Sri Lankan signed a professional contract with Barnsley conveniently just days after reported interest from Saints, Wolves, Brentford and Bournemouth.
Fabio Jalo - Barnsley (no transfer)
The 18 year old Portuguese forward was briefly linked and Saints reportedly had a bid rejected before he extended his deal at Barnsley.
Danny Ings - West Ham (no transfer)
A return for the Winchester-born striker was mooted but never really feasible and he stayed put at the Hammers.
Amad Diallo - Manchester United (no transfer)
Probably on the list after a great season in the Championship with Sunderland but nothing ever came to fruition.
Manuel Benson - Burnley (no transfer)
Championship winner with Burnley, Benson was one of several wingers Saints were trying for but they opted for Brooks instead. The Belgian was linked with a move to other Championship clubs right up to the close of the window.
David Brooks - Saints
A known target throughout the month, Saints finalised a loan deal for Wales international Brooks in the final days of the window.
Fabio Carvalho - Hull City
Saints could not guarantee the Portuguese's minutes whereas Hull could, and the 21 year old chose based on that.
Finn Azaz - Middlesbrough
Midfielder Azaz was recalled from loan at Plymouth for a permanent move to another Championship club, with Boro paying a £2.5million fee.
Lawrence Shankland - Hearts (no transfer)
The Hearts striker has 14 goals in 23 league matches this season but Saints were not in the market for a striker unless Che Adams departed.
Ussumane Djalo - Saints
The 19 year old Portuguese midfielder was linked very briefly earlier in the window and completed a loan move to improve the under-21s on deadline day.
Jack Clarke - Sunderland (no transfer)
The Sunderland winger has been one of the Championship's best this season but was well out of Southampton's price range.
Joe Rothwell - Saints
Rothwell was the first of two loan signings from AFC Bournemouth, adding affordable depth to the midfield and covering for Charly Alcaraz's exit.
Liel Abada - Celtic (no transfer)
Celtic's Israeli international might have been a loan target and he fits the profile Saints wanted but no offer materialised.
Mihaly Kata - MTK Budapest (no transfer)
Captain of MTK Budapest at just 21, midfielder Kata is one Saints could revisit in the summer if the reported interest is true.
Callum O’Hare - Coventry City (no transfer)
O'Hare seems set to depart Coventry on a free transfer at the end of the season and could be a target but reports of a £15million bid were completely false.
Calvin Ramsay - Bolton Wanderers
The Liverpool full-back completed a loan move to League One Bolton Wanderers in the closing stages of the window.
Jesurun Rak Saki - Crystal Palace (no transfer)
A final report linking Jesurun Rak-Sakyi to Saints said Crystal Palace would only let him leave if they reinforced - Brooks was signed before they did.
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