Southampton transfer targets Summer 2025: Can Still ignite promotion charge?

Southampton's season isn't going to plan, and with the January transfer window looming large, the club could see it as an opportunity to breathe new life into a squad that has flattered to deceive for much of the season so far. 

Bringing in Will Still to lead their promotion charge this season hasn't gone as well as anybody was expecting, but the board are standing by the 33-year-old.

Who is currently being linked with a move to St Mary's? Let's take a look.

Southampton transfer targets January 2026

*Fees based on Transfermarkt's current valuations. Subject to change.

Issa Doumbia (Venezia)

Following the mass exodus of players from Venezia after their relegation to Serie A, Doumbia is one of the players who has been linked with a move away, as Southampton reportedly weigh up a move.

Having only just joined the club back in 2024, the 21-year-old has four years left on his current deal, leaving Venezia in a strong negotiating position should they choose to sanction an exit.

Morgan Guilavogui (Lens)

After a successful 2023/24 season where he helped Lens secure a seventh-place finish, Guilavogui was recently brought back to Stade Bollaert-Delelis for a second spell.

Nonetheless, Southampton are eyeing a move for the Guinean, who scored six goals and provided in his sole campaign at St Pauli.

Guilavogui has wasted no time endearing himself to the Lens fans on his return to the club, and Southampton are set to have a challenging task in their quest to sign him.

Elias Mar Omarsson (Meizhou Hakka)

While Elias Mar Omarsson might not be a big name, and it might surprise many to see that Southampton are interested in his services, his experience playing in different leagues and countries can be valuable for the Saints. The experienced forward from Iceland signed for a Chinese team Meizhou Hakka at the start of this year, but a call from a high-profile team such as Southampton will be hard to refuse.

Omarsson spent a few seasons in Dutch football, most recently in Breda in the Eredivisie, but playing for the Saints would certainly be the highlight of his career. More importantly, Still will be looking for value buys and Omarsson's market value is estimated at just £600k.

So, it is hard to say how likely this transfer is, but if Southampton end up signing Omarsson, it could prove to be a shrewd signing that brings them some stability and experience off the bench.

Xavier Mbuyamba (Volendam)

While Xavier Mbuyamba did not have an impressive senior career so far, playing for Volendam and bouncing from Eredivisie to Eerste Divisie with them, the 23-year-old centre-back played for both Barcelona and Chelsea during his youth career. Based on this, he clearly had plenty of potential and while he seemingly failed to live up to it so far, his best years are still ahead of him.

With that in mind, Southampton's interest in Mbuyamba is not too surprising since he should be able to fit in, considering his experience in the UK with Chelsea. Furthermore, Mbuyamba would likely be a bargain buy for the Saints, given his estimated market value is just under £1m since he is entering the final year of his contract with Volendam.

Jack Rudoni (Coventry)

According to The Sun, Southampton have had a bid rejected by fellow Championship rivals Coventry to try and sign Jack Rudoni before the summer transfer window shuts. It is not yet clear whether the Saints will return with a bigger offer for the midfield player.

Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough)

According to the Northern Echo, talks between Southampton and Middlesbrough are continuing over the potential signing of Finn Azaz before the summer transfer window shuts. The Saints have had a bid rejected for the 24-year-old, with Boro said to value him in the region of £12m.

Eduard Spertsyan (Krasnodar)

According to reports, Southampton have made a final offer for Eduard Spertsyan, but the Krasnodar owner is refusing to sell to them. The offer is said to be worth around £13.4m, including add-ons for the 25-year-old midfield player.

Whisper+ hot rumour: Lucas Cepeda (Colo Colo)

Across the Atlantic, Chilean winger Lucas Cepeda has been lighting up his country’s first division. The explosive left-footed winger has been linked with a move to the Championship, with Chilean journalist Ivan Alvarenga (via Enchancha.cl) claiming that Southampton have already submitted an initial offer for the 22-year-old despite club president Anibal Mosa strongly denying anything as such.

Bologna, Udinese, Olympique Lyonnais, AEK Athens, and River Plate are the other big names tied with Cepeda, who has overtly expressed his desire to move abroad and develop into a world-class winger. His contract with Colo Colo ends in December 2026, and the Chilean giants expect £4m from any interested club this summer.

Although the hottest rumour would be that of a striker’s arrival, Cepeda is an offensive gift that would probably ignite Still’s charge to deliver promotion and bring Southampton back to where they belong.