Southampton

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Southampton have confirmed two pre-season friendlies against Lazio and Getafe as Russell Martin's side continue preparations for their return to the Premier League.

Two-time Italian champions Lazio will visit St Mary's on Wednesday, 7 August (19:30 BST) before Saints host Spanish side Getafe on Saturday, 10 August (14:00 BST) in their final match before opening their season with a trip to Newcastle the following weekend.

The fixtures complete Southampton's pre-season schedule of seven friendlies.

We asked for your views on Southampton signing right-back Yukinari Sugawara from AZ Alkmaar.

Here are some of your responses:

Les: Great signing. Love the Japanese players, they always give 100%.

Maximus: I appreciate that Saints need to strengthen their defence, it's always been an issue for them, but stopping the opposition from scoring is only half the story. They need to strengthen their attacking line, too. It may be in the pipeline, Saints are the masters of keeping everything quiet and then suddenly announcing a transfer. Let's hope so.

Steve: We continue to be a corner shop in the world of football. Buy cheap to sell dear. The owners appear to be focused on profit not performance. Last season we made around £83m on trading players. We have returned to the Premier League after one year in the Championship but we aren't building a squad to achieve anything.

Paul: Nice to see the new signings, but I'm hoping Russell Martin isn't planning on simply defending his way to Premier League survival. We absolutely need to lock in Flynn Downes and secure a proven goal scorer who can lead the line.

Richard: We desperately need to sign Flynn Downes and then some other players with proven Premier League experience. We've resorted to the old tactic of signing cheap, inexperienced players who might, with a bit of luck, prove to be a shock success at the highest level. We appear to be preparing for the following season back in the Championship.

Dan: Another solid signing. I’m very happy with how the transfers are going and we are finally getting the players needed in the right positions. Bring in Flynn Downes and a striker and it will be a very successful transfer window.

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New Southampton defender Yukinari Sugawara has said the style of football played by Russell Martin's side was a key factor in his decision to join from AZ Alkmaar.

"Last summer, I played against Southampton in pre-season," said the 24-year-old Japan right-back, who has signed a four-year contract.

"They didn’t play long balls, only short passing, they played smart.

"When Southampton gave me an offer, I said yes after one second."

Martin added: "Yuki is a player we've watched for a long time and was our number one target in his position.

"He's a talented footballer with a great mentality, and a character we think will be really popular with his team-mates.

"You can sense his enthusiasm and determination to do well. He's really excited to play for Southampton, not just to play in the Premier League."

What you do make of the signing, Saints fans? And who should be targeted next? Have your say here, external

Lyon are close to signing Southampton's 16-year-old forward Alejandro Gomes Rodriguez. (Athletic - subscription required), external

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

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport Football News Reporter

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Southampton are unlikely to continue their pursuit of Bournemouth full-back Max Aarons after the Cherries demanded £10m.

The Saints had a bid of about £6m rejected for the defender last week.

But they will now move on to other targets as they prepare for a return to the Premier League, which starts with a trip to Newcastle United on 17 August.

Southampton boss Russell Martin, who signed a new three-year contract along with his staff earlier this month, tried to bring in Aarons from Norwich City last year only for the 24-year-old to join the Cherries.

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BBC Radio Solent's Adam Blackmore spoke to the Saints and Sinners podcast about Southampton's transfer buisness so far:

"It's hard to get too excited about Charlie Taylor. It doesn't mean he's not a good player and won't do a good job, but when you go back to the Premier League, you aren't expecting a Burnley left-back. I think he's a solid pro and knows his way around.

"Brentford didn't make themselves stay up in the Premier League by signing massive 40, 50 million pound players that everyone else wanted. Very astutely, they put together a team that could do the job that the manager wanted them to do.

"I think the Saints are going to be far more in that model than the big spending model. They are trying to make the club be fairly sustainable. I think fans need to temper their expectations. Let's be realistic."

Listen to the full episode here

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A new episode of BBC Radio Solent's Saints And Sinners podcast looking at Southampton's recent signings is now available.

Listen on BBC Sounds here

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Southampton have signed a "supremely talented footballer" in Peterborough defender Ronnie Edwards, Saints manager Russell Martin has said.

The Premier League newcomers have confirmed the 21-year-old has signed a four-year contract.

Edwards told club media: "I'm buzzing to be here. It's a massive club and I can't wait to get started.

"They had an unbelievable season. The manager seems like he's got a great bunch of lads and they've got a real togetherness, and the style of play suits me the best.

"It's a dream come true for anyone, so I've got to be excited."

Martin added: "Ronnie is a supremely talented footballer with a lot of games already under his belt and a healthy level of experience, even at 21 years of age.

"He shows amazing courage to play and possesses all the attributes we would look for in a young defender."

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Positive relationships between players and managers can be a "huge factor" in transfer decisions, former Bournemouth defender Joe Partington has said.

Southampton have made an offer of about £6m for Bournemouth right-back Max Aarons, 24, which the Cherries are expected to reject.

Aarons, who made 20 Premier League appearances for Bournemouth in 2023-24 after joining from Norwich last summer, was coming through the ranks at Carrow Road during the tail end of Saints boss Russell Martin's long stint playing for the Canaries.

Partington told BBC Radio Solent: "[Aarons] is not a Bournemouth boy, he didn't grow up in the area or support the club - but he might have an emotional attachment to the [Southampton] manager.

"Looking in at Southampton, you see a manager who seems to have a great relationship with most of his players.

"If you asked [Aarons] - I'm sure he won't be asked until he either stays or goes - if his relationship with the management is a factor, I'm sure he would say that it is.

"In years gone by, Harry Redknapp took similar players with him everywhere he went and there's a really good reason for that.

"Players are no different, they like a relationship with a manager to be positive. If they find that, it's something they can often want to replicate or reignite if they've lost that. It's certainly a huge factor in terms of moving clubs."

It is unclear if Saints would be willing to raise their bid should Bournemouth dismiss the initial offer.

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Swansea defender Nathan Wood is to have a medical at Southampton after the clubs agreed a £5m fee for the 22-year-old former England Under-21 international. (Football Insider, external)

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

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Russell Martin says signing a new three-year deal with Southampton "is really exciting" and he is ready "to attack the Premier League" with the help of the owners.

The Saints boss will now remain at St Mary's until the summer of 2027.

"I'm really grateful to the owners and to Phil Parsons," he said.

"Once the season was finished, they expressed a desire to discuss a long-term plan with myself and the coaching staff, and it just made me feel that we're all together and that we are really aligned, really together on the plan and we're going to attack the Premier League in our way.

"It is really exciting. I'm really looking forward to continuing the journey, because it's been an amazing year.

"I feel like we've all learned so much as a club, as a group. There's so much to be excited about.

"When we first discussed it there was not even a question from myself or the coaches about what to do."

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport Football News Reporter

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Southampton have made an offer of about £6m for Bournemouth's Max Aarons.

Saints have revived their interest in the right-back having wanted to sign him last summer - but their bid is expected to be rejected.

They are also close to wrapping up the signings of Nathan Wood from Swansea City and fellow defender Ronnie Edwards from Peterborough.

Boss Russell Martin, who has agreed a new three-year deal at St Mary's, is a huge admirer of Aarons, having been Norwich captain when the 24-year-old was an emerging talent at Carrow Road.

Aarons was close to a move to St Mary's last summer before joining Bournemouth for Premier League football.

Aarons made just 23 appearances for the Cherries as a persistent hamstring injury hampered his debut campaign.

Saints are preparing for their return to the Premier League.

They have already signed Adam Lallana and Charlie Taylor on free transfers from Brighton and Burnley respectively, while Taylor Harwood-Bellis' loan from Manchester City became permanent after promotion.

Southampton are ready to make a £20m bid for Celtic's 23-year-old Denmark midfielder Matt O'Riley. (Talksport), external

Southampton, Brentford, Brighton and Everton are interested in Millwall's 18-year-old English midfielder Josh Stephenson. (Football Insider), external

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

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Southampton have signed left-back Charlie Taylor from Burnley on a two-year deal.

The 30-year-old joints the Saints having made 161 Premier League appearances in his career to date.

Taylor leaves the Clarets, where he played 104 times, after seven years.

"I’m really excited," said Taylor to the Saints website about his switch. "It just feels like the right fit.

"Everyone I spoke to about the club have only got great words to say. So I am excited and can't wait to get started.

"Straight away, [Southampton boss Russell Martin] really impressed me. The way he talks about football is the way I like to see it too. Him being the manager was a massive pulling point.

"I feel as though it was too good an opportunity to turn down."

Martin added: "Charlie brings a wealth of Premier League experience to the side which will be vital for us.

"He’s a great character who will fit into what we’re building here. Technically he’s a gifted passer of the ball and has versatility."

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Taylor Harwood-Bellis says representing Southampton will be "really special" after completing a £20m move to the Saints.

The 22-year-old defender, who was on loan from Manchester City last season, has signed a four-year contract on the south coast.

There was a condition in the loan deal for Southampton to sign Harwood-Bellis if they won promotion.

City have buy-back and sell-on clauses attached to this deal.

"It's no secret how much I enjoyed being here last season, so I'm delighted to officially become a Southampton player," said Harwood-Bellis.

"The feeling of bringing this club back to the Premier League and playing in front of these fans week-in and week-out has been amazing.

“I’ve learned a great deal over the past two years and developed so much as a player and as a person. To have the opportunity now to represent this club in the Premier League is really special and I can’t wait to get going and to see all the lads again.”

Saints boss Russell Martin added: "His excitement for the game is infectious and you can see how much he's enjoyed being here.

"He's ready now for that step up to Premier League football, and we’re really lucky to have an exciting young defender like him at our club."

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Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has signed a new two-year contract.

The 34-year-old helped Saints win promotion back to the Premier League and has made 147 appearances for the south-coast club since arriving from Crystal Palace in 2016.

"I'm delighted to extend my stay at a club which means so much to me and my family," he told Southampton's website. "To spend the best part of 10 years here shows how special a place it is.

"The end of last season will always stay with me. Helping the club get back to where we belong is what we set out to do at the start of the season and I was happy to play my part.

"I'm already looking forward to the new season and the test of Premier League football again."

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Managers will always outwardly support their players on the international stage, but you can be sure one or two will privately be hoping for an early exit from Euro 2024 for a few of their star men.

International tournament summers disrupt pre-season for managers.

Various players from different nations return to their clubs at different times, sometimes with injuries, holidays get postponed and rescheduled. As a general rule, the best players are more likely to play for the best nations and therefore go further in international tournaments.

The Euro 2024 final will take place on 14 July. Over half of Premier League clubs already have a pre-season fixture scheduled within 10 days of that.

Of English clubs, unsurprisingly, Premier League champions Manchester City have comfortably the most players in the Euro 2024 knockouts. The best represented Premier League side at the start of the competition have a full line-up of 11 stars still in Germany.

They are followed by the rest of last season's top three - Arsenal and Liverpool - who have eight and seven respectively. Manchester United also have seven while Brentford - aided by their healthy Danish contingent - have six and Crystal Palace five.

Championship play-off winners Southampton's three representatives were all eliminated at the group stage, while fellow newly promoted side Ipswich have not seen their summer impacted at all by players at Euro 2024.

Of the Championship-winning Leicester squad, goalkeeper Mads Hermansen and defenders Wout Faes and Jannik Vestergaard remain in Germany - as does Turkey's Yunus Akgun, who spent last season on loan with the Foxes.

This data was provided by Opta and counts the clubs where players finished at the end of the 2023-24 season.