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Southampton: Where do they need to strengthen this summer?

What Southampton need

Southampton have already been busy in the first few weeks of the transfer market but Lyall Thomas looks at whether there is any more business to be done at St. Mary's...

Right-back Cedric Soares and young Spain striker Juanmi have already arrived, while the loan signing of Maarten Stekelenburg has solved the problem of goalkeeping cover for the injured Fraser Forster.

Maarten Stekelenburg
Image: Maarten Stekelenburg will provide cover for injured Fraser Forster

Saints have developed a reputation as the leading innovators in football-player recruitment. Their enigmatic 'black box' at the Staplewood training ground – a tiny, dark room in which targets are assessed and scrutinised with the latest scouting technology - has become renowned across Europe.

It is this infrastructure and its processes that made sure the departures of several key players last summer did not prevent the team from progressing, and once again the club will have to contend with this issue.

Right-back Nathaniel Clyne, who had been of interest to a number of clubs, is set to leave for Liverpool in a £12.5m deal, while Morgan Schneiderlin has caught the eye of several sides in the Champions League.

Nathaniel Clyne of Southampton runs with the ball under pressure from QPR's Armand Traore
Image: Southampton face a battle to keep hold of Nathaniel Clyne

Toby Alderweireld, who enjoyed a successful season-long loan from Atletico Madrid last term, is wanted by Southampton on a permanent basis but other clubs are also sniffing around him and if he goes elsewhere he would also feel like a loss.

Goalkeeper

Southampton's main priority, other than keeping hold of their best talent, was to sign an experienced goalkeeper to cover Forster, who suffered a serious knee injury shortly before the end of the season.

Fraser Forster put in a man of the match performance.
Image: Fraser Forster suffered a serious knee injury last season

The club ideally wanted a loan deal, with Forster expected to return as No 1 when he reaches full fitness, and that is what they got by bringing in Fulham's unwanted Dutchman Stekelenburg. The former Netherlands goalkeeper worked with head coach Ronald Koeman at Ajax and spent last season on loan as Monaco's No 2.

Saints were also interested in signing permanent, top-quality back-up. All top clubs want two quality keepers and newspapers reported interest in relegated Burnley's Tom Heaton.

Defence

The issue Southampton currently have at the back surrounds Alderweireld and what Atletico plan to do with him. Saints already have a deal in place as part of the loan but it is not that simple – the decision rests with the La Liga club and it puts them in a very strong position in the transfer market for centre-halves.

Sky sources understand there are three possible outcomes and that Atletico could drag out the situation all summer. They could keep Alderweireld, they could trigger the deal with Saints, or they could pay a small fee due to Southampton to put Alderweireld on the open market before selling him to the highest bidder. Either way there has been no decision yet.

Toby Alderweireld: Southampton defender returned to action last week
Image: Saints may face a waiting game for Toby Alderweireld

Saints are prepared to wait to land Alderweireld but if the decision goes against them then they will look to sign a new out-and-out centre-half.

As for Clyne, his medical at Liverpool is expected to take place early next week

Midfield

As amazing as it may seem for one of the most sought-after central-midfield players in Europe, there have not yet been any bids from anyone for the Frenchman Schneiderlin. Newspapers have reported that Tottenham are still keen to get their hands on him but the player himself has indicated he will only move to a Champions League club and it is highly unlikely he will move to White Hart Lane.

Sky sources understand that Manchester United are seriously interested and Schneiderlin is currently involved in negations with over his Saints future this week. The club is expected to allow him to leave but it remains to be seen which clubs submit formal bids for the player, and how quickly.

Attack

Spain's Juanmi gestures during the friendly football match Netherlands vs Spain in Amsterdam, on March 31, 2015
Image: Juanmi will give Saints another option in attack

The introduction of 22-year-old Juanmi – an exciting prospect who scored eight goals for Malaga last season – gives Saints a range of forward options. The youngster can play anywhere in the three attacking-midfield positions behind the striker and will compete with the likes of Sadio Mane, Dusan Tadic and Jay Rodriguez, the latter with the benefit of a full pre-season after last season’s knee injury.

Therefore, they are unlikely to bring in any more attackers this summer.

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