Southampton

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We asked for your views on Aaron Ramsdale's transfer from Arsenal to Southampton.

Here are some of your comments:

Pete: It's a great signing and not before time. The last big signing I remember years ago was for Shilton so let's hope. We should have attempted to sign Broja as he did a season on loan for us and was one of the finest strikers we had. Here's to a hopeful season.

Mark: Very happy with the signing of Ramsdale. The signings of Downes and Harwood-Bellis were crucial, as was holding on to Walker-Peters. But I still feel we are going to struggle up front unless we also bring in an experienced striker!

Martin: Brilliant signing for us. We haven't had a solid keeper for a while. Saints showing some intent this season to stay up. Good luck Rambo.

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Aaron Ramsdale is thrilled to have completed his move from Arsenal to Southampton and praised the way manager Russell Martin sold the project at St Mary's to him.

“I’m absolutely delighted," he said. "The way the manager wants to play, the way he was when I spoke to him, he was just full of so much enthusiasm.

"I’d never met him before, but he made me feel about 8ft tall, which is just what you want.

“Coming back down to the south coast, for me and my family, would be an easier transition than most - so I feel like I can hit the ground running.

“I’m looking forward to this year, just getting back to what I do best and having a big smile on my face.”

Martin added: “Bringing in a player like Aaron is a real statement signing for us, so I’m very grateful to the ownership and the board for making it happen, especially as so many other clubs were keen to get him.

“Aaron is obviously a very talented goalkeeper, but also an impressive all-round football player, which is clearly important for us with the way we play.

“His reputation speaks for itself. He brings great experience even at what is still a relatively young age at his position. He's a fantastic character too, who I think will be a wonderful addition for us both on the pitch and in the dressing room."

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Aaron Ramsdale has completed his move from Arsenal to Southampton.

Southampton fans, what do you make of this deal?

Let us know your thoughts here, external

Follow every update from transfer deadline day via our live page

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Brentford have agreed a fee with Southampton for teenage defender Jayden Meghoma.

The 18-year-old England youth international has already completed a medical in west London ahead of a move on a four-year deal.

Meghoma is a highly regarded young talent but had just one year left on his deal at St Mary's before agreeing on a move.

He has made made four senior appearances in the cup competitions at Saints but is yet to play an English league match.

Brentford, meanwhile, have selection problems at full-back with Scotland international Aaron Hickey ruled out for most of the season with a hamstring injury and Rico Henry having yet made his comeback from a serious knee injury.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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West Ham forward Maxwel Cornet is in talks over a season-long loan move to Southampton, which would include an option to buy.

The 27-year-old was subject to talks on Thursday as he looks to earn more consistent game time away from London Stadium and negotiations have continued into deadline day.

The Ivorian's career has stalled since making the move to east London from Burnley in 2022.

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Southampton manager Russell Martin says the signing of Aaron Ramsdale would "give everyone a lift" at the club.

The 25 year-old's arrival from Arsenal seems to be imminent. The player could feature in Saturday's trip to Brentford if the signing is completed soon enough.

"If it happens, it will be a huge signing for us," Martin said.

"He's hungry to become England's number one again and he wants to be here. If you had asked me four of five weeks ago if we had a chance of signing him, I would have thought you were crazy.

"We've spoke a fair bit over that period of time. I've pestered him a little bit! Even a week ago I would have thought it wasn't achievable but it's worth trying.

"He's seen the way we've played in the first couple of games and I think he admires the courage of the players. I think he knows he has a chance to express himself.

"He brings a big character and a big voice, which is something [we don't have]. We're quite a quiet group because we're a young group. I think he's going to be great.

"Some of the guys might be surprised that he's coming. It will give everyone a lift."

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport Researcher

Southampton boss Russell Martin has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League trip to Brentford (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On the potential signing of Aaron Ramsdale: "If it happens it will be a huge signing for us on and off the pitch. The hope is that he will be registered in time to be involved on Saturday. He brings a winning mentality and a big voice."

• On Alex McCarthy, who is likely to be second choice if Ramsdale signs: "Alex has been amazing for us and I'll be forever grateful to him. I have no doubt he will be a brilliant team-mate. I love what he brings to the group and he's so calm. I want everyone to appreciate the job he did for us."

• On other potential deadline-day business: "I hope so. There will maybe be one or two more [incomings], but it will also depend on people leaving the building."

• On the biggest differences between the Championship and the Premier League: "The biggest difference is the athleticism and power of some individual players in the Premier League, especially at the top end of the pitch. They are hard to find, but they are everywhere in the Premier League."

• On Saturday's opponents Brentford: "They have lots of threats. They have some real power and pace at the top of the pitch. They work really hard and they are evolving all the time. The way they do things is really engrained in that club and it runs throughout. It's going to be an interesting challenge for us."

• On how the transfer window has gone so far: "The players we've added already and the one or two who may come in could be exciting for us. You can never get everything you want, but we've done good short-term business for the Premier League and outstanding medium-to-long term business. The club is in a really good place."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the deadline day action

We asked what you have made of Southampton's transfer window so far, and what needs to be done on deadline day.

Here are some of your comments:

Ethan: We now have a reasonable goalkeeper but we still need the player which will score 20+ goals a season. We have signed Cameron Archer but even with him it is still not enough.

David: A new striker please and James Ward-Prowse back (on a loan deal) to finally break Beckham's Premier League free-kick record and fire us to Premier League survival.

Daz: Think Saints have filled what they need especially now with a proven keeper, now they just need to find the right formation to play and I think we will stand a good chance in the Premier League. Come on Martin, try that 4-4-2, you never know, it might just work.

Tony: Buy a proven 25-goal per season striker, stop making chance/hopeful signings. We need goals to go with the possession.

Here's all you need to know about transfer deadline day on Friday...

When does the window close?

The transfer window will close at 23:00 BST on Friday, 30 August for the Premier League, English Football League and Scotland.

The date was brought forward by the domestic leagues to align with European leagues.

Across Europe, the Bundesliga window will close at 19:00, Ligue 1 at 22:00, La Liga at 22:59 and Serie A at 23:00, but the Saudi Pro League transfer window remains open until 7 September.

Can a Premier League player signed on deadline day play this weekend?

Under league rules, new signings are eligible for the next Premier League game if the club submit the required documents by midday on the last working day before that match.

So any player signed after 12:00 on deadline day would be unable to play in this round of Premier League fixtures.

Where can I see all the confirmed transfer deals on deadline day?

You can find all the deals completed on transfer deadline day within our dedicated confirmed transfers page.

When does the January transfer window open?

Clubs will be able to make transfers again from Wednesday, 1 January until Monday, 3 February at 23:00 GMT. This is the same in Germany, Italy, Spain and France.

How can I follow transfer deadline day on the BBC?

We have this live page dedicated to all the latest transfer news, reaction and analysis.

You will also find regular updates on BBC Radio 5 Live and breaking news across BBC Sport's social media channels, including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

There will also be a special edition of The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer and the Red Button from 22:00 until 23:15.

The transfer deadline is almost upon us, so tell us what you've made of your club's business and if more is needed?

Send your thoughts here, external

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Southampton head coach Russell Martin says he made up with Cardiff City's ground staff after being soaked by sprinklers during his visit to the home of the Bluebirds last season.

The former Swansea City boss was twice sprayed by the Cardiff City Stadium's water sprinklers as he applauded Saints supporters prior to his side's 2-1 loss to Erol Bulut's men in April.

However, ahead of Southampton's 5-3 Carabao Cup second-round win against the Bluebirds on Wednesday night, Martin met with Cardiff City's grounds manager Liam James who posted a picture of the pair on X, external.

"I had a good chat with them (Cardiff's ground staff) before the game, we had a laugh about them soaking me last season and the guy owned up to it, finally," Martin jokingly said.

"That's all I wanted, I just wanted him to own up and say that he meant it and that it wasn't a mistake.

"It's all good. They've done a good job with the pitch, they're nice guys."

Martin won all four of his south Wales derby matches as Swansea boss and became the first manager to oversee a league double between the sides during the 2021-22 season.

But the 38-year-old said he was grateful for the welcome he received from club staff at Cardiff.

"They (Cardiff's ground staff) know where my allegiance lies in south Wales," Martin added.

"I watched the derby with a lot of eagerness on Sunday. I was really happy with the way the first half went but obviously it was a draw in the end.

"I can't be too complimentary about the guys here because I love so many people a bit down the road.

"I got a really nice welcome this evening from a lot of people, I'm grateful for that."

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Former Saints player Jo Tessem believes Aaron Ramsdale will be a "big signing" for the club as he looks set to join from Arsenal.

Speaking on BBC Radio Solent's Goin' Home With Adam And Jo, Tessem said: "It will be a boost for the fans - they've been asking for this, they want a big signing to come in and Aaron Ramsdale in my eyes is.

"He's an experienced Premier League player, and we have been crying out for a goalkeeper in terms of the way we are trying to play football. We need to have a perfect keeper and I think he will bring in experience and a little bit more safety for the back four.

"I'm excited, I think this is a good signing and we are not just loaning him, we are signing him and that means the club are serious - I think that's what the fans want to see."

They questioned whether it would cause issues if Ramsdale was to break the wage structure at the club, but Tessem said: "If a really good player comes in, you are more happy to have a good player because you know he is going to make you better as well.

"There will be a few agents who will sit in the background and say 'well, you promised us there wouldn't be anyone going higher in wages' but from a players perspective you get a player with quality in and that will make you look better.

"If I was in the dressing room, that would be the most important thing."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Brentford have won their last three Premier League games against Southampton without conceding, and have won both of their last two home games against the Saints 3-0.

The latest episode of BBC Radio Solent's Goin' Home With Adam And Jo has arrived. The boys discuss an eight goal thriller against Cardiff in the Carabao Cup and the impending signing of Aaron Ramsdale.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Southampton boss Russell Martin following the Carabao Cup win over Cardiff: "I’m really happy with the win and I’m pleased for my young players. But there is also a lot to be annoyed about.

"We conceded three goals and the game descended into chaos in the second half. It was a moment of brilliance for their first goal from a player I have admired for a long time (Rubin Colwill), but we took our foot off the gas and dropped to their intensity.

"That was a big learning curve for the younger players. They took some liberties in the first half and they will be better for the experience. They showed real grit."

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The draw has been made for the Carabao Cup third round, with 17 Premier League clubs having made it through or entering at this stage.

There are three all-Premier League fixtures, including holders Liverpool hosting West Ham in a repeat of last season's quarter-final.

Ties will be played in the weeks commencing 16 September and 23 September.

All the fixtures featuring top-flight sides are shown below:

• AFC Wimbledon v Newcastle United

• Arsenal v Bolton Wanderers

• Brentford v Leyton Orient

• Brighton & Hove Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers

• Chelsea v Barrow

• Coventry City v Tottenham Hotspur

• Everton v Southampton

• Liverpool v West Ham United

• Manchester City v Watford

• Manchester United v Barnsley

• Preston North End v Fulham

• Queens Park Rangers v Crystal Palace

• Walsall v Leicester City

• Wycombe Wanderers v Aston Villa

See the full draw

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

What did you make of your team's performance, Saints fans?

Let us know here, external

Come back to this page on Thursday to find a selection of your replies.

Follow reaction and read the match report

There are eight Premier League teams in action on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup and BBC Sport will bring you all the action and reaction.

Follow live

And listen to BBC Radio 5 Live match commentary of Nottingham Forest v Newcastle on BBC Sounds

Dan George
BBC Sport

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Russell Martin says Southampton's business this summer has been good for the "long and short-term future of the club".

Saints have signed 11 new players to their squad so far and also turned loan deals for Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Flynn Downes into permanent transfers.

"We’ve done good business this window," Martin said.

"18 months to two years ago in the January window, it was very much about spending money for here and now because we need to stay in the Premier League.

"We all agreed we wouldn't do that and potentially put the club in a dangerous position down the line. We have made signings for now and players who are going to also be really good over a long period of time."

Back in that January 2023 window Martin referred to, Southampton broke their transfer record and signed winger Kamaldeen Sulemana for a fee of over 20m.

They also introduced Paul Onuachu and Carlos Alcaraz, with the three having made just 104 appearances between them since signing.

"I'd love to go spend £25m-£30m on one or two players, of course, but we knew we wouldn't be doing that and this is the situation we're in," added Martin.

"I don't lose any sleep over that because we're all aligned and we have real clarity in what we're doing."

Dan George
BBC Sport

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Southampton boss Russell Martin has said he was resigned to losing defensive star Kyle Walker-Peters this summer but is now "really relaxed" about his situation and confident he will stay.

Walker-Peters shone last season, making 47 appearances across both the Championship and the FA Cup as Saints were promoted to the Premier League.

"I think he's going to be here," Martin said.

"All the interest that was there and the deals that might have happened have pretty much gone, unless someone thinks really late doors that they want Kyle.

"We've offered him a new contract so maybe that'll be another discussion to come. Everyone's really relaxed about it. It's a bonus to have him here, to be honest, because I think we all resigned ourselves to him leaving the building."

The 27-year-old signed for Southampton from Tottenham in 2020 and has made 169 appearances for the club.

This season he has started both Premier League games against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.

As transfer deadline day looms, what do Southampton need to do before it's too late? Or are you happy with where things are up to?

Tell us here, external