Southampton

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport Football News Reporter

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Wolves and Nottingham Forest remain the favourites in the race for Southampton striker Che Adams - despite interest from clubs in Italy, the United States and Saudi Arabia.

The 27-year-old is available on a free transfer and yet to sign a new contract at St Mary's, although the Saints have been in talks over a new deal.

The forward has options abroad, including in Serie A, but Molineux or the City Ground are the most likely destinations as it stands.

Adams is with the Scotland squad preparing for Friday's Euro 2024 opener against hosts Germany in Munich and his future is unlikely to be resolved before the start of the tournament.

Last season, he scored 18 goals to help Russell Martin's Southampton to an instant return to the Premier League after winning the Championship play-offs.

Since a £15m move from Birmingham in 2019, Adams has netted 49 goals in 191 appearances.

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The 2023-24 Premier League season may have only just finished but there is only 10 weeks until the 2024-25 season is scheduled to start.

So what are the key dates that you need to know?

When does the season start and finish?

The 2024-25 Premier League campaign will get under way during the weekend of 17-18 August.

It will take place over 33 weekends, with four midweek rounds and one Bank Holiday matchweek.

To allow for a mid-August start, there will not be a 'winter break' this time around. However, to avoid Christmas and New Year fixture congestion, the league will give more rest time to sides over three of the festive match rounds, with no club playing within 60 hours of another match.

The final round of fixtures will be played on Sunday, 25 May 2025, with all games to kick off at the same time.

When are the fixtures released?

09:00 BST on Tuesday, 18 June.

We will have all the details here for your club as soon as the fixtures are released.

Sign up for news notifications to find out all the key fixtures

When does the transfer window open and close?

The summer window will officially open on Friday, 14 June, which also happens to be the start of Euro 2024, and will remain open until Friday, 30 August at 23:00 BST.

Transfer deadline day has been brought forward this year to be in line with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.

Follow your club page and make sure your notifications are on so you don't miss a transfer deal.

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On this week's episode of BBC Radio Solent's Saints and Sinners, Southern Daily Echo sports reporter George Rees-Julian discussed what Southampton supporters can expect from the summer transfer window.

"Southampton are still in talks with Alex McCarthy and Che Adams over new deals. Will that happen? I don't know.

"I actually asked Alex about his future and he told me he hadn't actually thought about it. I asked him about whether he wanted a new deal on the table and he hadn't thought about that either. So that may be an indication of where his head is at.

"There are a lot of things swirling around Che Adams and Wolves. He is supposedly in advanced talks with them, so that may be an indication of where he is heading.

"We also know that Southampton want to keep the loan players they had last season. They want to keep Ryan Fraser and, by all accounts, he wants to stay. There has already been some work done on that.

"It will be a difficult summer for Flynn Downes because he will probably want to stay at Southampton on one hand, but then he is a boyhood West Ham fan on the other. So it is going to be tough for him to decide where he wants to be."

Rees-Julian also revealed his favourite moment from covering Southampton's promotion-winning season, adding: "Wembley is probably too easy of an answer to pick out!

"I think there was something about that Birmingham game [in March], where they were in a bit of a tricky patch and it looked like the season was maybe going to fade away.

"We knew they would be in the play-offs, but you started to think about whether they really had the bottle any more.

"That game reignited the feeling that they could go up, even though they went on to have another tricky patch. I feel like that game was the turning point, in my head, in terms of feeling that they would have some success."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

We asked for your views about what the top priority should be at Southampton as we head into the summer.

Here are some of your responses:

Kevin: We need an additional striker who can poach opportunistic goals. If Che Adams leaves then definitely need a good/better replacement. The style of play is attractive but improve it so more goals are scored.

Ethan: The top priority has to be Flynn Downes on a permanent deal. The team wouldn't have played as well last season without him, so the club should be prepared to pay £30-40m for him.

Mark: A goalkeeper. I would be happy with McCarthy getting a year's extension with Gavin Bazunu out for the season in all likelihood - if not, someone on loan.

Jon: More than anything we need an inspirational captain. Ward-Prowse wasn't and Stephens isn't captain material.

James: Trying not to sign too many average players. I don't want Saints to be the new Forest. Also, get the blend of age and experience right. Let's learn from the mistakes made last time.

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The latest episode of "Saints and Sinners" on BBC Radio Solent is available now on BBC Sounds.

Tom Deacon is joined by Adam Blackmore and the Daily Echo's George Rees-Julian to discuss the latest events at Southampton.

Listen to the full episode here

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Former Southampton captain Jose Fonte says joining the club in 2010 was the "best decision" of his career.

Fonte won Euro 2016 with Portugal and a French league title with Lille in 2021, but pointed out his time at Southampton as one of his career highlights.

"To be honest, it's hard to beat my time at the Saints. That's where my life really changed for the better," Fonte told BBC Radio Solent.

"Arriving in England, playing at Crystal Palace was great but I had to move. When I signed for Southampton, that was the best decision I made in my career because I learned so much, I grew a lot as a person and a player.

"All I've experienced in the lower divisions and what we achieved in the Premier League and going into Europe, it's very hard to beat. It's eight great seasons I will never forget. The love and connection I had with the supporters and everything we went through, it's unforgettable.

"Obviously, winning the Euros is something every player dreams of and it was a great moment. They are different times, different moments and different achievements. But Saints was something like a dream, I was very happy at the time."

Listen to the full interview with Fonte on BBC Sounds

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Former Southampton defender Jose Fonte spoke to BBC Radio Solent about the Saints' promotion to the Premier League:

"I'm delighted with the promotion to the Premier League, it's where the Saints deserve to be. I was very happy with the scenes at Wembley and the performance from the boys.

"It's a tremendous job form Russell Martin - to come in and implement that style of football against the odd critic and the disbelievers. He was able to achieve promotion in great style, it's so enjoyable to watch them play. Great credit to him, his staff, the players and the fans who stuck with the team.

"It could have been a very difficult season if we didn't end up going up, but we got the job done. The most important thing is that we are back where we belong.

"He [Martin] adapted. He recognised what was working and what wasn't and he was able to find the right weapons at the right times. That shows humility and that he knows what the team needs. It's great that he got the job done."

Listen to the full interview here (around six minutes in)

The club summer is off and running, so what's the first thing that needs sorting out at Southampton?

Is it a contract, a transfer, a fan issue or something else?

Let us know your thoughts here, external

In the latest Football Daily 72+, Aaron Paul and Jobi McAnuff are joined by the new Barnsley boss Darrell Clarke as they try and agree on their EFL team of the season.

But, with plenty of choice, who will make the team's starting XI? And who will be managing them?

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Pat Nevin
Former Scotland and Chelsea winger

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It is time to welcome the new hopefuls into the Premier League now that Southampton have joined Ipswich Town and Leicester City in the promised land. It isn’t the friendliest of receptions I have ever seen.

‌Leicester may well be docked points on their arrival and their coach Enzo Maresca looks likely to be lured away within days.

Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna might also still be whisked away by one of the big boys before the Tractor Boys get to pre-season training.

I wonder what the Premier League has in store for Southampton to make their already tough survival job even harder.

‌Saints finished fourth so were not as good as the top two, but they have had the stress of the extra three games including that gruelling win over Leeds United at Wembley.

On top of that, only now can they start looking to make signings, long after everyone in their 'new' market has been on the case.

They have a tough enough job, so maybe just leave them alone and give them a chance.

Pat Nevin was writing for the BBC Football Extra newsletter

Liverpool have placed a £20m valuation on 22-year-old Dutch defender Sepp van den Berg, who is attracting interest from Southampton, Brentford and Wolfsburg after a successful loan spell at Mainz. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Saints are also eyeing Sunderland's 23-year-old winger Jack Clarke. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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After conquering Leeds United and the nerves of a Wembley play-off final, Southampton are in the Premier League.

We asked you very simply - will Saints stay up? And your response was comprehensive.

At the time of writing, 78% of you who voted said yes, while 22% said no.

Have your say and read the latest vote breakdown here

Harry Tizard
Fan writer

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Season rating: 9/10 - Getting back into the Premier League through the play-off final will live long in the memory but getting thumped 5-0 by Sunderland and Leicester means it couldn't be perfect marks.

Happy with your manager? Delighted with Russell Martin. He had a difficult job after losing so many players in the summer but transformed the club with an attractive brand of football while getting us back into the top flight.

Unsung hero: Will Smallbone made 43 appearances in the Championship, registering six goals and three assists. The midfielder was always reliable and contributed some key goals. He had some critics but silenced them in the second half of the season with some brilliant displays. Also, a little mention for Ryan Fraser, who has been excellent.

Player you'd most like to sign: Southampton must do everything in their power to keep Flynn Downes. The West Ham man was vital to the Saints' success, with Martin's men only winning two of the 13 games he was absent in since his signing. Hopefully, new Hammers manager Julen Lopetegui hasn't seen Downes' ability to win possession, keep hold of the ball and drive forward with it, so will let him stay with the Saints for anything around £30m.

Best away fans: Coventry City could've gone quiet after missing a penalty and going 2-0 in the first half, but the Sky Blues' away fans kept singing after a long trip on a Tuesday night.

Harry Tizard can be found at The Saints Score, external

BBC Radio Solent sports editor Adam Blackmore has been discussing the pros and cons of returning to the Premier League after Southampton's play-off final win on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club:

"The football - [in the Championship] you are winning games.

"At the end of the day we can be as snobby about the Premier League as we like. Ultimately VAR is a disaster. None of us like watching it and when you're a commentator it is a nightmare because you waste your good lines on goals that are then disallowed, so from a selfish point of view it is a disaster.

"Fans have loved not watching VAR and you have the joys of watching football back.

"The ball hits the back of the net, you check the linesman's flag and you celebrate."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Image source, PA Media

Southampton manager Russell Martin deserves credit for adapting Saints' playing style during the course of their promotion-winning campaign, BBC Radio Solent sports editor Adam Blackmore has said.

Martin's first season in charge ended with him leading Saints back to the Premier League at the first attempt via the Championship play-offs.

"He has adapted more than people think," said Blackmore on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club when asked how Martin's preferred possession-based style would transfer into the top flight.

"We've seen him mix his game up in the past few months - he's definitely learned. He's been prepared to play over the top and use the pace of his wide players in a 4-3-3, or play into Che Adams when he's played and hold the ball up.

"He hasn't always played the panicky, 'play out of your six-yard box' that everyone puts a label on him for. In the past few weeks, he's played 3-5-2 and 3-4-3 to get through to win this Championship play-off final.

"He said to me on Sunday: 'We've adapted - we don't go away from our principles, but we need to adapt.' I made the comment that he must be pleased because he's shown he can have a plan B, whereas in a previous incarnation, I think he said: 'If plan A doesn't work, we do plan A better.'

"Now he's realised you do have to adapt. He's learning on the job and I think that's great to see from a young British coach."

Watch the full episode of Monday Night Club on BBC iPlayer or listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds

Midfielder Adam Lallana, 36, is in talks over a return to Southampton on a free transfer when his Brighton contract expires next month. (Telegraph - subscription required, external)

Southampton will try to sign West Ham midfielder Flynn Downes and Newcastle winger Ryan Fraser on permanent deals after successful loan spells. (Daily Echo, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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After conquering Leeds United and the nerves of a Wembley occassion, Southampton are in the Premier League.

So will they stay up? Tell us in our poll here.

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Former winger Jobi McAnuff says Southampton need to recruit players with Premier League experience this summer, but believes they are an attractive proposition because of their style of play.

Discussing what Saints will need to do in their next campaign to avoid a repeat of last season's promoted teams being relegated, McAnuff told BBC Radio 5 Live's 72+ podcast: "Their ability to adapt will be key. It is such a huge jump to now go up into the Premier League.

"They will not be able to dominate the ball like they have this year, so can Martin find another way of still practising his style but make the appropriate adjustments?

"Recruitment is also going to be key. They need a bit of Premier League experience to go alongside their young players.

"Flynn Downes is an obvious one. I think he has the quality and he knows the system and manager very well. It is about bringing in good characters too because it is going to be tough at times.

"Southampton is a positive option for a player, who is may be on the fringes or out of contract, but still wants to stay in the Premier League.

"Everyone wants to play Russell Martin's style, so that will also work in their favour."

Listen to the 72+ podcast on BBC Sounds

Has Russell Martin proved the doubters wrong?

On the latest episode of BBC Radio Solent's Goin' Home from Wembley with Adam and Jo, Adam Blackmore and former Southampton midfielder Jo Tessem reflect on Southampton's play-off final victory over Leeds and how Martin's tactics played a big part.

Blackmore: "Saints turned up and did the job. There were no style points or thrilling football but they did an absolute number on Leeds.

"We probably underestimated Russell Martin because we did not know he had that cynical streak in him. He has the Pep [Guardiola] style of football that everyone bangs on about but underneath all of that he is incredibly humble.

"He was quiet and calm at full-time and he has proved a few people wrong, including fans."

Tessem: "He has adjusted and learned this season from what has been happening on the pitch.

"For this final he knew everything that he wanted to do and that was to get the early goal and be cynical. By doing that they made it difficult for Leeds and could push through to the end.

"That had nothing to do with his normal possession-based style, it was based off his experiences of playing in play-off finals before. He got it absolutely spot-on."

Listen to the full episode

Harry Tizard
Fan writer

Southampton beat Leeds United 1-0 in the Championship play-off final to return to the Premier League after a year away.

Saints' first win at Wembley since 2010 was more than deserved, with Russell Martin's men nullifying the Whites' attack for the third successive game, this time doing it on the big stage.

Key players such as Adam Armstrong, Flynn Downes, and Kyle Walker-Peters (to name a few) are rightly getting their plaudits. However, the manager and board should get lots of credit.

Martin showed backbone and stuck with his principles at the toughest of times, believing that his heavy-possession style would get us back to the top flight, so he should be congratulated for that and for getting the buy-in from the players.

Additionally, after two difficult losing spells and some heavy defeats, the board could've easily got rid of Martin, especially with many fans' patience thinning. But they trusted in the project and have been greatly rewarded.

No doubt next season will bring more challenging times, with questions already being raised about the style of play in the Premier League before the promotion party has even really started.

Nevertheless, fans must revisit this campaign as a reason to keep their faith.

Harry Tizard can be found at The Saints Score, external

We asked for your views on Southampton securing Premier League football as they beat Leeds in the Championship play-off final on Sunday.

Here are some of your answers:

Richard: It will be a struggle next year but what a performance. The best defensive display for many seasons. We must sign those on-loan players.

Sally: Saints played as a team, which has been missing sometimes. Defended well, played for each other. Fans were fabulous. Very proud.

David: I was there! Jubilant. Exhausted. Relieved. So pleased for Russell Martin, a good guy. He’s brought belief and a feel good factor back. We’re back where we belong. Come on you Reds!

Dave: Unbelievable day out with my two girls. What an incredible atmosphere. Hard luck Leeds. Great finish from Adam.

Trevor: Watching the amazing Saints win, here in New Zealand is the first time I have ever been reduced to tears over a football match. Tears of joy just watching the after-match presentations, celebrations, interviews, and seeing "SOUTHAMPTON" proudly displayed on the stadium's big screen. Fan of the Saints for 75 years! I LOVE YOU.