Southampton face a critical summer as they prepare their squad for the Premier League. Having secured promotion via the play-offs, Russell Martin’s team has had slightly less time to plan their summer activities compared to other Premier League clubs. As part of their promotion deal, Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ season-long loan from Manchester City became permanent. Southampton are also striving to sign fellow loanees Flynn Downes and Ryan Fraser.
Three senior players’ contracts are set to expire this summer. Stuart Armstrong, one of these players, has been confirmed to leave the club, while the futures of Che Adams and Alex McCarthy remain uncertain. Adams played a significant role in their promotion, scoring 15 Championship goals, and McCarthy stepped in for the injured Gavin Bazunu during the last eight games. Despite this, Southampton’s retained list announced Armstrong’s departure and noted ongoing discussions regarding potential new deals for McCarthy and Adams.
Adams has been linked with a move away from St Mary’s for the past two seasons, with Wolves showing strong interest recently. Given he has had a contract offer on the table for most of the season, it seems unlikely that Adams will commit to staying. McCarthy, who was not regularly included in the matchday squad for most of the season, stepped up impressively when needed, leading Southampton to consider retaining him despite earlier doubts. However, his future remains uncertain with links to Liverpool, Newcastle United, and Celtic.
While it is understandable that Southampton might want to retain experienced players like Adams and McCarthy, many fans would have preferred Armstrong to stay. Adams’ continuous transfer links suggest it might be time to part ways. With 25 goals in 124 Premier League matches, the club would need to find an upgrade regardless of whether Adams stays. McCarthy, seeking assurances about being the first-choice goalkeeper, faces a challenge as Martin has shown strong faith in Bazunu, who excels at playing out from the back. Bazunu’s Achilles injury complicates matters, but Southampton should seek a goalkeeper comfortable with their playing style.
Re-signing Adams or McCarthy could impede the club’s efforts to secure necessary upgrades. Therefore, it may be prudent to thank both players for their contributions and move forward.