Russell Martin will be hoping to avoid the fate of the trio of clubs, with all three sides promoted from the Championship in the 2022/23 season facing an immediate return to the second tier.
Sheffield United and Burnley were particularly poor, whilst Luton Town put up a decent fight before ultimately succumbing to relegation.
Southampton require additions to their squad to get it Premier League ready and there is hope that both Flynn Downes and Ryan Fraser will return permanently after successful loan spells last season.
However, that alone won’t be enough and Southampton should target these three recently relegated players to bolster their ranks.
Southampton should target Gustavo Hamer
Southampton have already been strongly linked for a player that spent the second half of the season on loan at Sheffield United, with Ben Brereton Diaz rumoured to be a target to improve the attack.
The Saints will have to negotiate with parent club Villareal for the forward’s services, but should also be looking at a move for midfielder Gustavo Hamer.
The Dutchman was one of the few bright lights in a dismal season in which the Blades finished bottom with just 16 points.
Despite this, Hamer managed four goals and six assists in the league and showed the sort of quality that convinced Sheffield United to pay Coventry City £15 million for his services just last summer.
Shortly after his arrival, then-manager Paul Heckingbottom described him, saying: “He is tenacious. He is all action. He is brave to get on the ball, he is not scared to risk the ball, he is prepared to make things happen.”
He then added: “He will compete, he will tackle, he will run back. People like that are infectious.”
With the club confirming Stuart Armstrong will depart following the expiration of his contract this summer, Hamer could be the midfield general to replace him.
Southampton could return for Manuel Benson
Whilst Ryan Fraser is expected to sign permanently this summer, the same cannot be said for David Brooks who also arrived on loan last season.
Given club-record signing Kamaldeen Sulemana barely featured in the second half of the campaign, it would appear likely the Ghanaian will depart either on loan or permanently.
This would leave the Saints with just Samuel Edozie as the only senior winger guaranteed to be at the club next season, so reinforcements are needed.
This could see Martin target a move for Burnley’s Manuel Benson, a player with whom Southampton were heavily linked with in January.
When Burnley won the Championship in 2022/23, Benson was unstoppable as he scored 12 goals and provided three assists in just 14 league starts according to Transfermarkt.
He was expected to be a key part of the Premier League survival bid under Vincent Kompany but was inexplicably barely used as the Clarets suffered relegation.
A player Southampton clearly identified as a target in January, the club could target a budget deal this summer.
Southampton could turn to Luton Town for Che Adams replacement
Che Adams looks set to join Stuart Armstrong in ending his time at St Mary’s when his contract expires this summer.
Whilst the club have themselves confirmed discussions on a new deal are ongoing, an offer has been on the table for much of the season and the Scotland striker looks set to move on.
Martin could look to Luton Town for his replacement, with Carlton Morris impressing in his first season as a Premier League striker.
The 28-year-old is similar to Adams in his ability to link play and compete physically with defenders, but arguably has more of an eye for goal.
His 11 top flight strikes last season – as well as four assists – show Morris is capable of scoring at the top level and Southampton would not have to adapt their game to accommodate him given the similarities he shares with Adams.
Given he is Luton’s captain, Morris would also bring leadership qualities in a side that is short of natural leaders so he is a player the Saints should be keeping tabs on.
