Assessing if Southampton should sign loan players permanently

Southampton's recruitment chiefs now face a busy summer as they look to improve the squad ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

They are set to sign loanee Taylor Harwood-Bellis on a permanent basis after his obligation to buy clause was triggered following promotion.

Saints could look to sign more of their loan players to permanent deals next season in order to keep the majority of the promotion-winning group together.

The Daily Echo understands that Saints will go in for West Ham's Flynn Downes and Newcastle United's Ryan Fraser.

We have assessed whether each loan player should stay next season and how viable a move would be...

Flynn Downes - YES.

Downes has been vital this season. He quickly became a fan favourite after his dominating performances in midfield.

Southampton's record without the 25 year old speaks to his importance. They only won two of the 10 Championship fixtures he missed.

The former Swansea and Ipswich man has previously expressed his love for Saints and their coaching staff but also faces a difficult decision this summer.

A change of management at parent club West Ham could present him with a chance to impress at his boyhood club.

While regular game time would be guaranteed at Southampton under Russell Martin, playing for the team he supports would be a difficult prospect to walk away from.

Either way, Southampton need to sign a defensive midfielder. If they fail to add Downes permanently, they will have a tough task finding a suitable replacement.

Flynn Downes has been a key player for Southampton this season (Image: PA)

Ryan Fraser - Yes.

Former Scotland international Fraser arrived at Southampton to little fanfare, but, much like Downes, leaves as a fan favourite.

The 30 year old won supporters' hearts with his effort on the field and by scoring important goals, namely his late winners against Hull and Millwall.

Fraser would be a good squad player in the Premier League given his newfound ability to play as either a wingback or on the wing.

His days at Newcastle United are numbered, as he admitted in an interview with the Daily Echo earlier this season.

Fraser is keen to join and Martin is equally eager to keep his former international teammate at the club.

Ryan Fraser has become a fan favourite at Southampton (Image: Richard Crease)

David Brooks - Maybe.

A permanent deal for David Brooks would help the club ensure their depth in the forward areas remains strong in the Premier League.

Che Adams' future is uncertain as he nears the end of his contract, as does Stuart Armstrong, who could also depart on a free transfer.

It also remains to be seen what will happen to Charly Alcaraz when he returns from his loan spell at Juventus while record-signing Kamaldeen Sulemana has failed to make his mark under Martin.

However, a permanent deal for Brooks could prove costly. Cherries boss Andoni Iraola has also expressed his desire to evaluate the 26 year old during pre-season.

Brooks is keen to continue playing regular football, which is why he joined Saints in the winter window.

If his game time remains limited at AFC Bournemouth, a return to St Mary's would be optimal for all parties.

David Brooks was forced off injured in his last Saints appearance (Image: PA)

Joe Rothwell - No.

As he admitted himself, Joe Rothwell's loan spell at Southampton has not gone as well as he would have hoped.

Much like Cherries teammate Brooks, Rothwell made the short trip to St Mary's in search of more consistent game time.

Although he made 20 appearances during his loan spell, the majority of those came from the bench.

He only started four games in the league and failed to make a real mark on the starting lineup.

His loan was not without its high points. His stunning volley against Huddersfield stands out as his best moment, while his brace against Sunderland will also go down in Saints folklore.

Rothwell has admitted his future remains "up in the air" but a permanent return to Southampton doesn't appear to be a realistic prospect.

Joe Rothwell failed to make the desired impact at Southampton (Image: Stuart Martin)