Russell Martin is keen to add to his Southampton squad this summer in an attempt to build a side capable of Premier League survival.
Whilst the Saints boss will have a lot of trust in the players who earned promotion via the Championship play-offs last season, he is not naive and knows additions are needed.
So far that has seen Adam Lallana, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Ronnie Edwards, Charlie Taylor and Nathan Wood all signed.
Notably, four of those five signings are defensive recruits and Southampton now look set to wrap up a deal for yet another defender.
Southampton set to sign Yukinari Sugawara from AZ Alkmaar
Sport Republic are acting decisively this summer, keen to avoid leaving Martin short ahead of the club’s Premier League return.
Experience of the top flight has been brought in through the additions of Lallana and Taylor, whilst the centre-back position is sorted for years to come with Harwood-Bellis, Edwards and Wood all arriving.
Now, it is a right-back who looks set to be added to the Saints’ ranks, with a deal done for Yukinari Sugawara from Dutch club AZ Alkmaar.
That is according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who has posted on ‘X’: ‘Yukinari Sugawara, set to undergo medical today at Southampton as he’s joining from AZ Alkmaar.
Japanese fullback will sign the contract later today, deal done’.
Whilst the fee is unknown at this stage, AZ were seeking a fee of around £8.5 million for the 24-year-old.
Sugawara another example of solid Southampton business this summer
Sugawara’s arrival is one that should excite Southampton fans and it is another example of astute business from the club this summer.
So far, the Saints have spent one significant fee in the £20 million to make Harwood-Bellis’ loan move permanent as they were obligated to do by Manchester City following promotion.
However, that deal aside, Sport Republic have signed four players for just £6 million, with Lallana and Taylor both free and Edwards and Wood £3 million each.
Sugawara is an attacking full-back who has played more games in European competitions than any other player in AZ Alkmaar’s history.
The right-back scored four goals and provided nine assists in all competitions for the Dutch side last season and should fit seamlessly into Martin’s squad.
Whether that be as a Kyle Walker-Peters replacement or alternative remains to be seen, but for an expected maximum of £8.5 million this looks another really good signing for the south coast club.
