Five Southampton summer signings Will Still must make, including ‘tremendous’ Premier League starlet

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Southampton are preparing for life back in the Championship, in what will be Will Still’s maiden season in charge. These five signings could bolster the Saints’ promotion prospects.

Southampton were condemned to a place in the 2025/26 Championship following their relegation from the Premier League last term, but a new era has dawned on St Mary’s.

Southampton appointed Will Still to become Ivan Juric’s replacement, and have wasted no time by fitting the Saints squad to Still’s liking in his first weeks in charge.

Unfortunately for Still, he will be without veteran full-back Kyle Walker-Peters next season, and he has a “lot of options” this summer following the expiry of his Saints deal.

With business in the summer transfer window intensifying, EFL Analysis has outlined five targets Still should sign ahead of his maiden Championship campaign in charge.

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Five summer signings Will Still should make at Southampton

Viktor Johansson from Stoke City

Starting with shot-stoppers, given that it appears Aaron Ramsdale is likely to leave Southampton this summer, the Saints will be in need of a replacement, and the ideal acquisition lies with Viktor Johansson.

The Stoke City star cemented himself as one of the best players in the Championship last term, playing a pivotal role in Stoke’s second tier survival, by keeping 14 clean sheets in 46 league outings.

Johansson must be Ramsdale’s replacement given his calibre and experience in the Championship.

Additionally, given that the English international tops the highest-paid Championship players list, it would make great financial sense for the Saints to strike Ramsdale off the wage bill, and the Swedish shot-stopper would be a more than capable successor between the Southampton sticks.

Juma Bah from Manchester City

Moving into defence, Southampton are chasing ‘tremendous’ Juma Bah from Manchester City, which would reunite the highly-coveted central defender with Still, after his successful loan spell at RC Lens in the second-half of last season under Still’s stewardship.

Still’s praise of Bah last season highlights why Southampton are fighting for the starlet’s signature.

Standing at 6’5″, Sierra Leone international Bah has the physical profile needed to dominate defensive duels in the Championship, and given his breakout campaign came under Still, the new Saints boss knows exactly what kind of elite prospect he would be getting on loan from Man City.

With West Ham and Burnley keen on Taylor Harwood-Bellis, the necessity for central defensive recruitments is made even more important.

Kaine Kesler-Hayden from Aston Villa

At full-back, Aston Villa starlet Kaine Kesler-Hayden would be another impressive recruit from Southampton.

Following his stellar loan spell at Preston North End last season, Coventry have tracked Kesler-Hayden this summer, after he notched five goal contributions in 44 second tier outings.

Villa are understood to value the youngster around £5m, and Coventry face competition from second tier rivals for his signature, with Middlesbrough and Southampton eyeing Kesler-Hayden.

The 22-year-old’s versatility, technical prowess, and potential to develop would make Kesler-Hayden a stellar signing for Still at Southampton, if they can fend off the vast interest in the Villa ace.

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Tom Fellows from West Brom

Moving into the right-wing, given that it’s widely expected that Tom Fellows will leave West Brom this summer, Southampton must target the promising winger as his next move awaits.

Winger Fellows almost joined top flight Everton in January after cementing himself as one of the most promising young talents in the second tier.

21-year-old Fellows fired four goals and notched 14 assists in 46 Championship outings, and with Tyler Dibling expected to be bought this summer, Fellows would be a sensible replacement on the right flank for Still.

Lucas Cepeda from Colo Colo

With Kamaldeen Sulemana set to leave Southampton, to reunite with former boss Juric at Atalanta, another sensible acquisition for Still would be Colo Colo starlet Lucas Cepeda.

Sulemana sits at the summit of Southampton’s most expensive signings ever, but has failed to show any return on investment, which is why Still is making the right decision to send the Ghanaian on his way out.

Southampton have lined up Cepeda as Sulemana’s replacement, and it is clear to see why a Saints bid for Cepeda is imminent, after the left-winger notched six goal contributions in 11 starts for Colo Colo in the Chilean top flight.

Still’s track record for developing promising young talent could propel Chilean Cepeda to stardom at Southampton this season, and fill the void at left-wing left by the imminent departure of Sulemana.