Running the rule on Ralph Hasenhuttl's summer of transfer activity...
Friday 17 May 2019 12:05, UK
Ralph Hasenhuttl had a huge impact at Southampton last season and now he's set for a busy summer as he looks to further add his stamp on the club.
Jannik Vestergaard and Mohamed Elyounoussi were Southampton's two major signings last summer under Mark Hughes and Hasenhuttl - appointed on December 6 - chose to put his faith in some of Saints' youth squad instead of dabbling in the transfer market.
However, he has good contacts in Germany, which suggests that could be an area in terms of recruitment where Southampton may look to in the summer.
Matt Le Tissier: "Where do we start? I would say they need to strengthen in the centre-back department and like most teams they need a goalscorer. Perhaps we could do with a couple in the right-back area as we will lose Cedric Soares this summer.
"I think we still need someone else up there other than Danny Ings as a good all-round option. With his injury problems it is always good to have someone there and you tend to play 4-4-2 towards the end of the season. Shane Long works his socks off for the team and Michael Obafemi will feature a lot more next season, but he is very young and has a lot to do still."
Hasenhuttl on his transfer philosophy: "If you find a young player who has potential and quality then we'll think about a transfer. The more important thing in this transfer period is to give players away, to have a committed group that is not too big.
"Next season, maybe with a few new players also, (we need to) create a new spirit, a new mentality because it must give a different picture from the first game day."
Mark McAdam: "This will be an interesting window for Southampton as Ralph Hasenhuttl looks to take on his first full season after keeping them in the Premier League.
"It is likely to be a case of subtle changes to the structure and squad under him. Throughout the course of the season he's continually mentioned doing things 'the Southampton way' which basically means promoting as many of the academy as possible.
"Youngsters Matt Targett, Yan Valery and Michael Obafemi all had an impact this season in the successful fight against relegation. They will all be key members of his squad moving forward.
"The Austrian wants to trim his squad, letting some of the more experienced players on big wages leave, whilst adding three or four strong additions.
"Manolo Gabbiadini, Cedric Soares and Wesley Hoedt were the high-profile exits in January, with Fraser Forster and Charlie Austin set to follow suit ahead of next season.
"Soares, Hoedt, Sam McQueen, Jordy Clasie, Harrison Reed, Sofiane Boufal, Jake Hesketh and Guido Carrillo are all returning from loans which gives you an indication as to the size of trimming needed for next season.
"Danny Ings' loan move will be confirmed as a £18m permanent move and he could prove to be a shrewd piece of a business following a productive first season, where he appears to have put his injury problems behind him."
Southampton will look to strengthen their right side, in both full-back and on the wing, with centre-back and up front also in need to bolstering.
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