Southampton have recovered from a bad start to life back in the Championship and could be in the mix for promotion to the Premier League.
Tonda Eckert has turned things around at St. Mary’s, bringing the team out of the bottom end of the table into contention for a play-off place.
The Saints will be keen to make an immediate top flight return, having been relegated from the Premier League last season.
The January transfer window could prove an important battleground in their bid for a top six finish, as it offers the new manager a chance to make improvements to his first team squad.
Here we look at two ways Southampton could make a dream start to the winter window when it opens on 1 January…
IN: James Ward-Prowse
James Ward-Prowse’s departure from Southampton in the 2023 summer transfer window was a big blow to supporters as he had become an icon of the club.
The midfielder came through the academy system, and was a key part of their time back in the Premier League.
But he has since fallen down the pecking order at West Ham, and could be on the market in the January market.
It was reported by the Guardian earlier this month that the 31-year-old could be offloaded in a bid to raise some funds for the Hammers’ own transfer plans.
If Southampton have the funds, then a move to bring back Ward-Prowse could be a smart piece of business to boost their promotion hopes.
While the free kick specialist isn’t at the peak of his powers as a player anymore, there’s no doubt he could still perform to a high standard in the Championship.
He’d also offer the team experience, leadership and an extra attacking threat from his dead ball delivery.
Depending on the potential cost of a move, his return to St. Mary’s could be a dream deal for the upcoming window.
OUT: Joe Aribo
Joe Aribo hasn’t been a particularly important part of the Southampton squad this season, and his time at St. Mary’s is surely coming to an end soon.
It would be better for the Saints, at this stage, if that end came early in the January window.
The midfielder is estimated to be on a wage worth £70,000 per week, making him the highest paid member of the first team squad.
Getting those wages off the books six months before his contract expires would be a tidy saving, and it may also generate further revenue if a fee can be earned in a sale.
This won’t be make or break financially for the Hampshire outfit, but it would open up some space in the squad, and could possibly add some funds to be reinvested back into the first team before the market closes on 2 February.
While Aribo was once a core part of the team, he is now nothing more than a squad player, and the cost of keeping him around doesn’t justify the wages he still commands.
His current deal expires in the summer, so this is also Southampton’s last chance to avoid losing him for nothing.
