Southampton will be hoping for a quiet transfer day as they attempt to keep their group together for the rest of the season.
Russell Martin has brought two players in from Bournemouth this January, with Joe Rothwell and David Brooks signing on loan until the end of the season.
In terms of first-team exits, the club has so far resisted any interest in their star players. However, the club did let 21-year-old Carlos Alcaraz to join Italian giants Juventus on loan with a £35 million purchase option in the summer. Alcaraz’s prospects have been restricted, and he has been playing second fiddle to Stuart Armstrong, so a deal makes sense, especially now that Rothwell has arrived.
Martin stated at the start of the window that he wanted “one or two” players to come in, with right flank always being a priority, and he has that with Brooks. The Southampton manager will now be hoping for a tranquil final day of the transfer market, but some of his players may make late transfers.
Could Kyle Walker-Peters be sold?
Mason Holgate, a defender on loan from Everton, is the most likely to depart today.
Holgate’s opportunities have been restricted during his stay at the club, and he is currently fourth choice at centre-back behind Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Jan Bednarek, and Jack Stephen. Despite lowering a division to try to obtain more playing time, the 27-year-old has only started four Championship games, but he could be granted a Premier League reprieve with bottom-place Sheffield United considering a deadline day deal.
Martin is unlikely to be bothered if Holgate leaves, but the interest in crucial players Che Adams and Kyle Walker-Peters will be far more concerning.
Adams’ contract expires this summer, and it is no secret that the striker is available for a low amount. A number of Premier League clubs expressed interest earlier this month, but with Adams in his finest form of the season, having scored five goals in his previous seven games, speculation about his future has died down somewhat.
Things may change rapidly on deadline day, so it’s not surprising if Premier League clubs are considering a last-ditch bid.
Walker-Peters has been Southampton’s best player this season, excelling in a variety of roles, and selling him at this stage of the transfer window would be unfathomable.
It would take a large offer for the Saints to let Walker-Peters go, but with Chelsea apparently exploring a £35 million approach, it is not out of the question. Walker-Peters appears to be enjoying his football under Martin, and Southampton fans will hope the full-back finishes the season before deciding on his future.
Martin is in the same predicament, and he will not want his relationship with a player he has characterized as having “some incredible attributes” and “does stuff I’ve never seen before” to end.
With incomings doubtful, Southampton would benefit from a quiet deadline day.
