New Southampton manager Russell Martin is hoping to convince the likes of James Ward-Prowse, Tino Livramento and Romeo Lavia to reject Premier League returns amid interest from West Ham United, Newcastle and Liverpool.
After finally sealing his long-awaited switch to St Mary’s last month – Martin’s appointment finally confirmed after weeks of delays – the former Swansea City boss walks into a dressing room full of players who have no idea about where they will be plying their trade in 2023/24.
Captain James Ward-Prowse, per The Telegraph, is keen to join West Ham United. He would likely be tasked with replacing fellow England international Declan Rice at David Moyes’ UEFA Conference League winners.
Rampaging right-back Livramento is ready to choose Newcastle over a £38 million return to former club Chelsea (Daily Mail). As for Lavia – a ray of sunlight piecing through the Southampton clouds last term – talks with Liverpool appear to be advancing quickly (Sacha Tavolieri).
And Martin is under no illusions about the size of the task facing him as he looks to prepare Southampton for a season in the Championship in the face of some very unwelcome distractions.
Southampton face Liverpool and Newcastle raids
“There are the ones who might want to go back to the Premier League,” Martin tells Hampshire Live.
“And hopefully, they’re going to look and go; ‘actually, it won’t be the worst thing in the world if we end up staying’. So that’s my job to convince them.
“Even the ones who think they’ll end up back playing in the Premier League and want to, as long as they give it all they’ve got while they’re here…
“They owe that to the club after last season in particular.”
Southampton could also lose Paul Onuachu, Che Adams, Duje Caleta-Car and Armel Bella-Kotchap. Mislav Orsic has already joined Trabzonspor, while Carlos Alcaraz’s agent has confirmed interest from Serie A champions Napoli.
“I don’t really know more about individual personnel in terms of what the starting team is going to be (on the opening weekend). There’s no point in thinking about that,” Martin adds.
“I think it’s nonsense that, in the transfer window, you can start the season and then four weeks later, you can lose five players. It’s ridiculous.
“I don’t think anyone disagrees other than agents that it is a nonsense.
“So we have to be prepared for that. And I said to the players, I said on the first day that there might be things that happen to some of you. You might be here ,or you might have to play three or four games and be the very best you can be for this football club.
“And then you might get a move that suits all parties. I think everyone needs to prepare for that.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
