We may only be in July but it has already been a busy transfer window for Russell Martin and Southampton, with the South Coast club welcoming seven new arrivals in just over a month.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Flynn Downes have both joined the club permanently following successful loan spells last season, while Adam Lallana also returned back to St.Mary's on a free transfer following a 10-year absence.
As for the other signings, they have brought in defenders Charlie Taylor, Ronnie Edwards, Nathan Wood and Yukinari Sugawara - taking their total spending to just over £50m.
However, with the likes of fellow newly-promoted Ipswich and Leicester also busy in the transfer market, as well as losing such a key player in Che Adams following the expiration of his contract, the Saints still have a lot of work to do if they are to remain a Premier League side this time next year.
An attacking midfielder and striker are said to be the priority as we head nearer to the start of the campaign, but there are plenty of other areas that many would still say need improving.
Here are five potential players that could come through the door at Southampton before the transfer window slams shut.
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Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
He was in the stands dressed as Hagrid from Harry Potter during Southampton's Play-off Final victory and, it is fair to say, Saints fans would love to see him dressed in their team's kit next season - even though it might take a bit of magic to do so.
The Englishman became surplus to requirements at title-chasers Arsenal last season, with the 26-year-old finding himself second choice behind loanee David Raya, with the North London club now signing the Spaniard on a permanent deal.
This leaves Ramsdale's future up in the air and with the goalkeeper publicly stating he wants to play first team football again, Southampton could be just the destination for him to achieve this.
With Gavin Bazunu out until 2025 due to an Achilles tendon rupture, 34-year-old Alex McCarthy is expected to start between the sticks for Southampton, with Joe Lumley acting as deputy.
However, a quality goalkeeper could be the difference between safety and relegation in the Premier League, so securing his services could just ensure survival.
Although, and many Saints fans would agree, Ramsdale is probably capable of playing at a higher level, a loan move could be the perfect outcome to suit the needs of both parties.
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Matt O'Riley (Celtic)
With Leicester, Brighton and Southampton all vying for O'Riley's signature, it is fair to say he is a hot prospect. However, like most hot prospects, they do not come cheap.
The Danish midfielder has lit up the Scottish Premiership over the last few seasons, with the 23-year-old netting 18 times and assisting 13 in the last campaign alone - a goal-threat that Saints fans could only dream of.
Impressive numbers like this mean that Celtic can demand a pretty high fee, with rumours suggesting that a bid in excess of £30m could be suffice for the Glasgow club to sell.
Although, on paper, this may be over-budget for Southampton, it would certainly be a statement to the rest of the division and show just how serious they are about staying up.
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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Beşiktaş)
With three players already returning back to Southampton this window, it appears to be a summer of homecomings - with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain being another player who could follow suit.
Departing St.Mary's for Arsenal in 2011 as a teenager, the now-30-year-old would return as a Premier League and Champions League winner, collecting both during his time at Liverpool.
However, despite seemingly being around forever, his ability has certainly been overshadowed by his terrible injury record, with the Englishman missing almost 250 games throughout his entire career from injuries alone.
Since leaving the Premier League for Turkey in 2023, Oxlade-Chamberlain has struggled to make an impact, scoring four times in 20 appearances - missing a further 14 matches due to a torn thigh muscle.
It is fair to say that his best days are far behind him, but with high-level experience in English football, a figure like him could be vital to the dressing room, while he also has the ability to produce moments of magic that could drag the Saints up the table.
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Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (Crystal Palace)
Going from a Premier League veteran to a relative newbie, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi has made just 10 appearances for Crystal Palace's first team, but has shown signs of promise for the academy and whilst out on loan.
Occupying off either flank, Rak-Sakyi excelled at under 18 and 21's level, racking up 48 goal involvements in 57 games across both age groups.
For the 2022/23 season, the winger got the chance to prove himself whilst out on loan at League One club Charlton Athletic, where he scored 15 and assisted eight - winning the club's Player of the Year award.
However, after getting a chance in the first team for Crystal Palace last year, the 21-year-old ended up missing the majority of the season with a hamstring injury, meaning that if Southampton were to buy him, it would be a massive risk.
A number of Championship clubs are reportedly looking at signing Rak-Sakyi on loan this summer but the South London club are said to be reluctant to do so, preferring a permanent move instead if they are to sell to a fellow top-flight team.
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Armando Broja (Chelsea)
Yet another familiar face potentially returning to Southampton for a second chance, but unlike Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lallana, Armando Broja is nowhere near the end of his career.
The Albanian has struggled for chances at Chelsea since retuning from his loan spell with the Saints in 2021 - a year where he may have only netted six times, but made many heads turn.
He is a strong and powerful centre-forward that also has a bit of pace about him, traits that could help fill the void that Che Adams has left behind.
He may have struggled at Fulham and at the Euros this summer, failing to scored for either club or country, but at just 22-years-old, a return for Broja could end up being a great signing for Martin and his team.
However, he would likely cost around £35m - a hefty fee for a man with an unproven track record.
