Southampton

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Southampton have agreed deals to sign Sao Paulo duo Juan and Wellington.

Both players will move to St Mary's when their contracts with the Brazilian Serie A side expire in January 2025.

Left-back Wellington, 23, and 22-year-old forward Juan are both products of the Sao Paulo youth academy.

Wellington has made 150 appearances for the club, winning the Copa do Brazil and the Supercopa do Brazil in 2024, while Juan has made 80 appearances, scoring eight goals.

Both have represented Brazil at youth level.

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On the latest episode of the Saints and Sinners podcast, BBC Radio Solent's Adam Blackmore spoke about Southampton's academy graduates who have been getting minutes in the club's pre-season matches:

"The young players are great for pre-season and they are very talented. In fact, Adam Lallana said to me that Tyler Dibling is one of the most talented youngsters he's seen. That's coming from a 36 year-old who's been at the top of the game for a long time.

"How much did they play in the Championship? Not a lot, so how much are they going to play in the Premier League? We should all calm down.

"Are they going to be key players in the Premier League? No. Can they step up this summer and become fringe players? Maybe.

"Some of them should go out on loan and get a season of football. They should be playing, taking responsibility and having to win games for a football club. Not coming off the bench with five minutes to go, maybe that would do some of them good.

"Maybe Russell [Martin] does think they've done enough and that's up to him. I don't think we can be hanging the Premier League season on some of the kids doing well in pre-season, otherwise we're in trouble."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Southampton captain Jack Stephens says Adam Lallana "will be vital" for the Saints on and off the pitch this season because of his experience.

Lallana was Russell Martin's first signing of the summer and rejoins 10 years after he left St Mary’s for Liverpool. During his first stint for the club he played 265 games and scored 60 goals.

"When I started seeing all the reports and links, I was thinking how it would be amazing to bring him back," said Stephens, who played previously with the Englishman, to BBC Radio Solent. "But I was not sure if it would be possible.

"Then the manager rang me and said it was happening and asked what I thought about it. I knew it would help us so much because of his experience, but also because his football is still incredible.

"He can help us massively on the pitch, but off it he will be vital because we all know how tough the Premier League is. We know there will be some difficult times so you need players that have been there before and know how to deal with it.

"He will be important for keeping everyone's heads together."

Listen to Stephens full interview on BBC Sounds

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Southampton left-back Juan Larios has provided an injury update after travelling with Russell Martin's pre-season training camp squad to continue his rehabilitation to full fitness.

The Spaniard signed from Manchester City in August 2022 but picked up a severe hamstring injury last season, bringing an end to his debut season and keeping him out of action for 86 games and counting.

Speaking to the club's social media, external from their base in Girona, Larios said: "It is nice to be with the boys, training, and I can feel it.

"I'm feeling good, strong in the legs, so hopefully it can keep going like this. I'm going to work hard to make sure it does. We keep going and training and everything.

"Hopefully I can play a game soon. I'm just working and training day-to-day without thinking too much [into the future], but I'm happy that I'm going to be back soon."

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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It isn't quiet in one specific part of the major football clubs - the acquisitions department.

I know that because I was once the acquisitions department - well me and the manager mostly. While each player returned from holidays like a bronzed Adonis, we were cooped up in a small darkened room, beavering the daylight hours away like vampires.

There is plenty of guesswork in the media and a fair bit of leaking from the players and their people, but the clubs usually try to keep their transfer moves as quiet as possible.

If word gets out that a player is available, they know they might lose him to another club or else the price will increase as a bidding war erupts.

‌These are high stakes games and many are impressed by those who gamble and go early.

Manchester City have always been good enough, and let's be honest wealthy enough, to be able to do this well.

The problem is that some clubs are trying to do the same thing and are ending up paying top dollar for less able players, because they haven't done their due diligence in the market.

This is another area where the use of data, or maybe over-reliance on pure data, comes into play - feed all of the numbers in, let the technology do the crunching, and out comes the answer.

The problem is that everyone else has got the same or similar data.

What is needed, of course, is good human knowledge and the vision to aid the use of the information they have got. This is why these departments should be busy just now, they shouldn't just be doing deals which are admittedly very complex legal and financial documents these days.

Even more time should be spent on ensuring the new £75m player hasn't got a hidden weakness in his game or even the odd skeleton in his closet.

Pat Nevin was writing for the BBC Football Extra Newsletter

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Che Adams has thanked Southampton fans for their "incredible support" and says he is proud to be leaving after securing promotion to the Premier League.

The forward, who left Saints this summer after his contract expired, has joined Serie A side Torino on a three-year deal.

In a message to the fans, Adams said on X, external: "I'm so grateful for the past five years.

"Southampton became home to me and my family, and we were surrounded by some amazing people and players.

"Thank you to everyone, from the backroom staff, to the kitchen staff, to the coaches, for all your support and guidance since I stepped into Staplewood in 2019.

"I am proud to be leaving with my head held high, getting this club back to where it belongs. We made you fans a promise, and it gives me such pride that we delivered.

"Thank you for all your support, you have followed us home and away in incredible numbers, and it meant so much."

Dan George
BBC Sport

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Southampton manager Russell Martin is hoping to "surprise some people" this season as he prepares to take charge of a top-flight side for the first time in his career.

The former Norwich defender led the Saints into the Premier League through the Championship play-offs back in May.

Now he is ready to test his football philosophy against the best sides in English football.

"It is illogical to me that we would get to the Premier League and, through fear or lack of belief, we would then do something else," Martin told BBC Sport.

"There are going to be games when we play against amazing opposition and maybe look a bit different, but we won't go away to Manchester City or Liverpool and set up to camp. We just won't do it.

"We have to accept sometimes we will get beaten, but then at other times we will have beautiful moments, games and results that people don't expect.

"Maybe we will surprise some people."

Southampton open up against Newcastle United at St James' Park on Saturday, 17 August.

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We asked for your views on Southampton's 7-1 friendly win over Eastleigh on Friday.

Here are some of your responses:

Anthony: A decent win is always a good start - it does not matter who the opposition are. The goals still show they are doing things right. This season is going to be really tough so any joy early on is welcome.

Lucy: I can't believe the score. We weren't expecting a big win - we were only expecting a 2-0, 3-0 or 4-0 - but this was amazing.

Dan: Good run out for the lads and good to see the new players getting some minutes. Friendlies never amount to much but are great way to build confidence and connections ready for the new season.

Steven: Very nice, comfortable win. But don't forget, it is not about the pre-season, it is about getting them fit for the new campaign. That is all that matters.

Daz: No offence to Eastleigh, but they are not exactly Manchester City or Liverpool. Don't get me wrong, they did well to score seven goals, but the real test of how they are performing is when they start against Newcastle United.

Southampton recorded a big win over neighbours Eastleigh in a pre-season fixture, but what did you learn from this game?

Let us know your thoughts, external

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Southampton forward Adam Armstrong says he is "delighted" to sign a new contract with the club.

The 27-year-old has signed a three-year deal to extend his stay with the Saints until 2027.

Armstrong joined the club from Blackburn Rovers in the summer of 2021 and has gone on to make 119 appearances, scoring 29 goals.

He played a key role in their promotion winning campaign last season, with his 37 goal contributions - 24 goals and 13 assists - the highest tally of any player in England's top four divisions last term.

It was the England under-21 international's match-winning strike at Wembley in the Championship play-off final against Leeds United that secured the Saints' immediate return back to the Premier League.

Speaking to club media, Armstrong said: "It's amazing. Coming off last season, having that buzz, coming back into pre-season and getting started again brings back memories, so I'm delighted.

"I'm looking forward to it – back in the Premier League, it's the best league in the world. It's just about enjoying it and hopefully pushing on."

Southampton boss Russell Martin added: "Arma has been such a huge player for us since we came to the club last summer. As someone who had lived through the pain of the previous season, it was clear he had a fire in his eyes and a determination to put that right.

"Even looking beyond his amazing numbers in terms of goals and assists, his relentless desire to press the opposition and willingness to play in different positions, sacrificing himself for his teammates, are outstanding attributes that speak volumes for his character.

"I'm delighted we've been able to secure his future with us, and I have no doubts he will be just as important to us in the Premier League as he was in the Championship."

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It seems inevitable a host of Premier League managers will point to fixture congestion in the months to come.

When injuries mount, or when time on the training ground is squeezed, coaches often reference the intense nature of the calendar.

But research conducted by the respected CIES Football Observatory has delivered data which shows clubs are - on average - not playing more competitive games than they have in the last couple of decades.

The CIES looked at 677 clubs across 40 leagues. In looking at a period from 2012 to 2024, its findings show in 2023-24, the average club played 42.4 competitive matches. In 2014-15 that figure was 42.6 and in 2020-21 it hit 43.9.

And if focus is placed on sides competing in the Champions League, data gathered between 2000 and 2024 also shows sides are not setting fixture records in the current game, as some managers may like to loosely imply.

In looking at the five major European Leagues, the CIES claim Champions League competitors played an average of 50.8 matches last season.

In 2020-21 they averaged 57.9 and in 2002-03 they contested 55.2.

Manchester United played in 52 competitive games last season, down from highs of 71 in 2020-21 and 66 in 2008-09.

Across all of the clubs analysed, only 4% played more than 60 games last season. In 2012-13, the figure stood at 5.1%.

While clubs may play added friendlies and - it would be fair to say - individual matches tend to be longer given increased injury time in the current game, the data shows that competitive fixture numbers are flat or have in most cases fallen, even if disgruntled managers say otherwise.

The full study is here, external

Lyon are reportedly set to announce the signing of Southampton's 16-year-old forward Alejandro Gomes Rodriguez after the England Under-16 international signed a three-year deal. (Fabrizio Romano, external)

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

We asked for your views on Flynn Downes joining Southampton following his loan spell from West Ham last season.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Andy: The signing everyone wanted. He was fantastic last season and it was even more evident just how good he is when he wasn't in the team! West Ham's loss is very much our gain. I would like to see a strong goalkeeper and an experienced striker come in to replace Gavin Bazunu and Che Adams respectively, then we can sit back and be optimistic for a good season.

Laurie: A superb signing. He really shone last season and, even though he was on loan, it looked like he had been playing in the team for years. He is creative, able and I think he will grow into this Southampton team. A very welcome addition.

Mel: At last, the signing we all wanted. This is a good thing. Now we can forget about all of the old Saints that we are being linked with - such as Ings, Lallana, Adams. I thought I saw Ricky Lambert training at Marchwood the other day! We need to get a decent striker and a new goalkeeper signed up - we are going to need them.

Ian: I expect Kyle Walker-Peters to move to West Ham which means that apart from Stevens, Taylor and Bednarek, we have no proven Premier League quality in the squad. The players bought from Manchester City now have the chance to shine. Yukinari Sugawara could be a shrewd move and we need to keep Che Adams. Nonetheless, I think that if we get off to a good start, we could stay up.

James: Great signing. He was the anchor in midfield last season and we will be needing that this season. He doesn't need time to settle in and he will hit the ground running. He was the player I most wanted us to sign.

Lee: The best signing we have made in years. I can't believe we managed to get him and at a very good price too. He was pivotal in our promotion last season. I can't wait for the season to start now.

Dan George
BBC Sport

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New Southampton signing Flynn Downes revealed that life has been "carnage" as he waited to complete his move from West Ham to St Mary's.

The 25-year-old returned to the Hammers this summer for pre-season after enjoying a promotion campaign on loan at the Saints.

Southampton then confirmed the move for Downes on a four-year contract in a surprise announcement at their kit launch on Tuesday.

"It’s been carnage for the past few days to be honest - a lot of ups and downs,” Downes told BBC South Today, external.

"I’ve been sleeping on the floor at my parents' house. It'll be nice to get some normality back.

"You should see my wardrobe at the moment - it is so bad. Just a pile of clothes on the floor. It's not been ideal but it is just part of it."

The boyhood Irons fan joined West Ham from Swansea City in the summer of 2022 and played 35 times in claret and blue before joining Southampton.

"It was just about making sure I could play week in, week out," Downes added.

"I felt like at West Ham I wasn't going to get that so here was the right fit for me.

"All I had dreamed of was to play for West Ham - but things change. I had to be selfish about what's best for my career and I needed to make this step."

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Southampton have revealed their home and away kits for the new season, which they say both take inspiration from the city's naval history.

They are the first created for the Saints by new kit supplier Puma and feature a "razzle-dazzle design" which was first used on ships, including HMS Southampton.

The home kit has the traditional red and white stripes and the club said every shirt will feature a unique pattern in an attempt to avoid any wasted material.

It will be worn with black shorts and white socks with red detailing.

Southampton's away kit has the "subtle razzle-dazzle design" on the sleeves and front of the shirt in a "bright fizzy yellow and darker yellow sizzle".

The bold away option will be paired with navy shorts and yellow socks with navy detailing.

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Flynn Downes says it "feels so good" to have signed for Southampton after a "special" season-long loan spell in 2023-24.

The midfielder made 33 Championship appearances, scoring two goals and registering two assists, as the Saints returned to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Speaking to the club website, external, Downes said: "Being a part of it last year was so good. The whole club and the people - everything about it is so special.

“Now I feel like I can fully settle down here."

Southampton boss Russell Martin added: "We are thrilled to bring Flynn back. It was a big priority for us this summer and to get it done early in pre-season is also really important.

“He was such an influential player for us last season, both on and off the pitch. He is a brilliant character, aggressive and physical in his play, technically excellent with the ball, and a fantastic athlete too.

“I know how excited and hungry he is about making the step up to the Premier League with us. He is someone who I really believe is more than ready for that."

Southampton have completed the signing of Flynn Downes from West Ham on a four-year contract.

The midfielder made 37 appearances on loan at St Mary's last season, as Saints returned to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

What do you make of this signing, Southampton fans? Have your say here, external

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The football never stops.

Euro 2024 has barely finished but Premier League clubs have already started turning their attention to pre-season friendlies.

The games are spread across the globe, from Tokyo and New York to Sligo and Crawley.

So who will your team face? And when and where are the matches?

Keep across all the fixtures and results here

Southampton have agreed a deal worth up to £18m to sign 25-year-old English midfielder Flynn Downes from West Ham United. (Standard - subscription required), external

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