Will Still’s missed £10.5million Southampton transfer is now top of goal involvements

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A former Southampton target’s start to the new season will have Will Still wondering what could have been.

The Saints had to be patient in the summer transfer window, with Tyler Dibling and Matheus Fernandes leaving for an instant Premier League return after their top flight relegation. Late signings Finn Azaz, Caspar Jander, Tom Fellows and Leo Scienza have boosted their squad for the season ahead.

Shea Charles’ recent comments epitomise the fight Southampton will be putting up to go straight back up.

However, Saints reportedly made a £10.5million bid for another star in the summer – and if his start to the season is anything to go off, Still may be wishing they had managed to snap him up too.

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Eduard Spertsyan has the most goal involvements of any player in the 2025/26 season

Russian-Armenian attacking midfielder Eduard Spertsyan was warned not to join Southampton in England’s often challenging second tier.

However, the 25-year-old has since gone on to have a blistering start to the season with Russian Premier League club Krasnodar.

He has bagged eight goals and four assists, with his 12 goal contributions in seven games the best return of any player in any league in the 2025/26 season.

FC Midtjylland’s Franculino is second with 11 goal contributions and Kevin Hernandez has recorded nine for Puerto Rico SSC.

The Saints have scored six goals in the Championship in four games this term, and the second tier is likely to be a higher standard than the Russian top flight, but Armenia international Spertsyan clearly has an eye for goal.

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How close were Southampton to signing Eduard Spertsyan?

Spertsyan would have been a great option for Southampton in the no.10 role.

The Russian Premier League ace admitted he had received a ‘serious’ transfer offer from the Saints in mid-August.

Multiple bids had reportedly been made, but reports in Russia highlighted potential complications with the deal, including the transfer of funds to Russia.

Krasnodar’s president was also apparently reluctant to sell their talent.

Discussing Spertsyan before the window shut, Still said on the club’s progress on the move: “It’s slow. People have got agendas, and negotiating skills are difficult. We’re just being honest, and people tend to struggle with all that.”

Despite reported interest from Leeds, for now, Spertsyan remains in Russia.