Making their way back to the Premier League via the Championship Playoffs after a year’s absence from the competition. Southampton will want to do everything in their power to stay up this season so they will need some new additions to the squad to achieve that goal. Here are three transfer targets that we believe could help them ensure they don’t see relegation come the end of the 38 game campaign.

Aaron Ramsdale

If you don’t concede, you won’t lose. Plainly put yet true. A new goalkeeper is something that will greatly help Southampton in their bids to stay up. Young prospect Gavin Bazunu is currently out injured with an Achilles tendon issue and current keeper Alex McCarthy might have been good enough for the Championship, but he is not proven in the Premier League. Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale is someone that fits that description having 153 Premier League matches under his belt.

Out of favour by Mikel Arteta, Ramsdale has been open to a move away to secure minutes with Arsenal already eying up the Englishman’s replacement. He is entering his fourth season at Arsenal now, but the arrival of David Raya saw him side-lined for most of las year, only playing a total of six games between the sticks. In his first two seasons at Arsenal from 2021/2023, he faced 264 shots, made 184 saves and kept a save percentage that averaged around 72%.

He might be rusty in his first initial games but Ramsdale to Southampton is a must. There is no question that Aaron Ramsdale isn’t a good goalkeeper otherwise he wouldn’t have got to where he has in his career. If Southampton are able to reignite that spark in him and he regains confidence again, his shot stopping could be a massive difference in Southampton’s survival or relegation. At only a €25 million evaluation according to Transfermarkt, it is something for Russell Martin’s side to consider.

🚨🔴⚪️ Understand Southampton and Arsenal are advancing well in talks for Aaron Ramsdale deal!

Negotiations underway, it could get done soon. All parties optimistic.

↪️👀 Reminder: Arsenal have agreed on terms with Joan García from Espanyol if Ramsdale leaves. pic.twitter.com/YSGUegssoq

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 28, 2024

Morgan Whittaker

The Saints would have to get on this deal quickly as recently relegated side Burnley are chomping at the bit for Plymouth Argyle’s Morgan Whittaker. He is a player that can play attacking midfielder, on either side of the pitch as a winger and also as the main man at up top as a striker. Last season in the Championship he had a breakout season, producing fantastic numbers for a struggling Argle side, a similar situation that Southampton are in now. Having thrived under that pressure last year, Whittaker would be a good pick up.

Named in the 2023/24 Championship Team Of The Season. Whittaker found the back of the net 19 times and managed to provide 8 assists to his teammates as well. An attacking presence is something that Southampton will need as in their first two games back in the Premier League, they are yet to record a goal. Whittaker finished third in the Golden Boot race, Southampton’s own Adam Armstrong finishing in second with 21 goals. The St Mary’s Stadium has also seen Cameron Archer and Ben Brereton Diaz sign contracts with Southampton, but both have only shown slight promise, purple patches of form.

Consistency is key and a regular influx of goals is needed and we believe Morgan Whittaker is an ideal signing. Transfermarkt have valued the Englishman at around €12 million, a bargain for someone who garnered 29 goal contributions across all competitions last season.

🚨 Burnley have made a bid for Plymouth’s Morgan Whittaker.

Would be a serious signing and makes a lot of sense with who is leaving… pic.twitter.com/LlIURpBURu

— The #EFL Zone (@TheFLZone) August 28, 2024

Alfie Doughty

Amid interest from other Premier League clubs, Southampton would be smart to go in for Luton Town’s Alfie Doughty. He would be a versatile option for Russell Martin and his particular system. Doughty can play both centre back and left back in a back three or back five system, a perfect fit for the 3-5-2 formation that Southampton have displayed in their opening Premier League games.

Despite being part of a relegated side in Luton, Alfie has shown some very impressive displays and the numbers back him up. Across the course of the last 365 days and per 90 minutes of football, Doughty has averaged 3.57 shot creating actions, 0.25 assists, 2.35 touches in the opposition penalty area and 1.60 blocks. He is in the upper 80% percentile in comparison with all the fullback is Europe’s top 5 leagues and elite competitions, such as the UEFA Champions League for example.

Southampton’s current left sided defenders are Kyle Walker-Peters and captain Jack Stephens. Walker-Peters does a great job at left back however his best position is on the other side of the pitch. Having him there will allow Doughty to bomb up and down the pitch helping out both the attack and defence, the areas that Southampton desperately need improvement Transfermarkt have him listed at an approximated market value of €10 million which would be a bad price for the potential that Doughty has.

🚨 Alfie Doughty is attracting interest from several Premier League clubs including Brentford following Luton's relegation. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

(Source: @SkySportsNews) pic.twitter.com/tSonHP536U

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) May 28, 2024