Southampton may have to free up some space in their squad this summer in order to bring in the calibre of player they need for their Premier League return.
The club had a busy summer in 2023 as owners Sport Republic attempted to offload players on high wages as well as making the inevitable sales associated with relegation.
The likes of James Ward-Prowse, Romeo Lavia and Tino Livramento all went for sizeable fees, but it was more difficult to sell the likes of Paul Onuachu, Lyanco and Armel Bella-Kotchap with no clubs willing to meet Southampton‘s asking price.
Instead those players left on loan to get their Premier League wages off the books, with the Saints hierarchy hoping a good season away from the club could tempt a buyer this summer.
Manager Russell Martin will have to convince the club to repeat the trick with Kamaldeen Sulemana, as currently they will be unable to command anywhere near the £22 million fee they paid for the Ghanaian last January.
