What can we expect from Southampton this January transfer window?

The January transfer window is officially open which will give numerous Premier League clubs the opportunity to bring in fresh faces or say farewell to deadwood.

A handful of top-flight clubs are expected to be busy this month, however for Southampton, it may be another uneventful mid-season window.

Last season’s winter transfer window saw the shock deadline day arrival of Liverpool winger Takumi Minamino on loan whilst the likes of Shane Long and Yan Valery headed to the Championship on loan to Bournemouth and Birmingham City respectively.

It is fair to say none of these deals lit the world alight.

However, the summer window was productive and the club is still a healthy gap away from immediate danger which may suggest that the upcoming month may be quiet.

Regardless, players will always be linked with moves in or out of their respective clubs and here are some of the possible deals that Southampton could make over the coming weeks.

IN: Sam Johnstone

Starting with the rumour that has been circulating the South Coast club for months now, the additions of West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

Back in November, Sky Sports reported that the Saints, alongside West Ham, want to sign the England goalkeeper on a free transfer, not the first time Southampton have been linked with a swoop for the 28-year-old.

The Albion number one is now into the final six months of his contract ahead of its expiration in the summer and is yet to sign an extension with the Championship outfit.

Southampton’s Fraser Forster is expected to leave this summer with his contract set to expire whilst Alex McCarthy, who was subject to rumours regarding a new contract, is yet to be offered a new deal despite his contract expiring in the summer too.

It is expected that Johnstone would replace either of his countrymen as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s first choice.

The Englishman impressed for West Brom in the top-flight last season and has kept 11 clean sheets in 24 Championship appearances this campaign.

There is little doubt that by the end of summer Sam Johnstone will be a Premier League player once again. However, who the 28-year-old will choose is unclear and whether or not the Baggies will look to receive a fee for the goalkeeper this window or wait until summer and allow him to depart for free.

IN: Mohamed Ali-Cho

A rumour that in all honesty seems like paper talk at this moment in time is a swoop for Angers striker Mohamed Ali-Cho.

At just 17, the striker has attracted the attention of numerous top clubs including Dortmund and Atletico Madrid.

However, the Sun’s Tom Barclay recently reported that the Saints are leading the hunt for the striker who could cost £20 million.

The youngster has scored two goals in 18 appearances in the French top-flight this term, matching the league goals tally of Adam Armstrong with Ché Adams and Armando Broja scoring three and four goals respectively.

Definitely a prospect for the future but a £20 million price tag will be a repellent for the football club with their current financial situation.

OUT: Shane Long

It is very likely that Shane Long will be leaving the football club in 2022, whether that be in this window or upon the expiration of his contract in the summer.

The Irishman was awarded a two-year contract in the summer of 2020 after contributing a couple of goals midway through the 2019/20 season. However, the suggestion that the 34-year-old would continue to be a regular player for Hasenhuttl’s side was naive.

Long has not scored for the Saints in almost two years and only managed two goals during his loan spell at Bournemouth for the second half of last season.

If the club can find the striker a new club as early as this month then it would be sensible, otherwise, the Irishman will have to wait until the summer.

Long has been a fantastic servant for the club but it feels like the farewell is long overdue.

Other notable mentions

There is a chance that the odd youngster is sent out on loan for experience but it is unclear who that would be should an offer come in. Will Smallbone could be a good shout.

The club also has a decision to make on the futures of players whose contracts expire in the summer.

Forster, McCarthy, Jack Stephens, Long and Harry Lewis all have six months left on their respective contracts and are yet to sign extensions. Who stays and who goes will be something the board and manager need to discuss over the coming months

If the club could strengthen one position this window, a new goalkeeper or wide attacking midfielder would be sensible to look at.

The goalkeeping situation has been an issue for a while and it appears that Sam Johnstone will be the man the Saints will huff and puff to sign.

Hasenhuttl has a variety of wide men to choose from, however, none of them have particularly set the world alight this campaign.

Overall, it appears to be a window of little action but do not be surprised if the odd deal slips through the cracks and the Saints involve themselves in some business.

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