Top 10 summer transfer targets: Southampton

OTP’s guide to some of the impending, probable and possible transfer moves at every Premier League club.

1. Craig Gordon
Although he performed admirably last season, Kelvin Davis is now 35 years of age. Whether he is good enough for the busy work of the Premier League remains to be seen, but Southampton could do a lot worse than take Craig Gordon, a £10million goalkeeper lest we forget, on a free transfer. Gordon would presumably be able to establish himself as number 1, which is vital for his career after his nightmare at Sunderland.
Chances of it happening: 7/10

2. Jack Butland
Even if Davis is considered to be strong enough to retain his place, a move for young buck Butland as a reserve option could prove fruitful, especially if he is allowed to mature into the first-choice role. Birmingham are strapped for cash and will surely listen to offers for the keeper, who has been on England duty this summer, albeit very tenuously.
Chances of it happening: 6/10

3. Matt Jarvis
Too good for the Championship, Jarvis should be forgetting about his holidays and spending the summer trying to get back into the Premier League before his current club Wolves. Spoken about in England terms just 18 months ago, Southampton could utilise Jarvis’ crossing ability to further service Ricky Lambert.
Chances of it happening: 8/10

4. Steven Davis
Although his Premier League career with Fulham and Aston Villa seems a lifetime ago, Davis has proved at Rangers that the has the ability to impress and the leadership to captain both club and country when required. Southampton’s midfield contains some young talent, and a signing such as Davis (surely available on the cheap, if not free, from Rangers) could prove crucial in their bid for consolidation.
Chances of it happening: 6/10

5. Simon Cox
With Cox criminally underused by West Brom last season and the Republic of Ireland at Euro 2012, there’s a chance he will look to move on this season. Southampton have substantial striking options in Billy Sharp and Ricky Lambert, but both are unproven in the Premier League. It may take £5million, but Cox is an exciting prospect, and could find a welcome home on the south Coast.
Chances of it happening: 7/10

6. Yakubu
Another club in for the chubby funster. Southampton fans may be slightly put off by the Nigerian’s Portsmouth history, but fickleness would soon reign supreme if he started scoring goals. He would certainly add ‘rigidity’ to Southampton’s strikeforce, and act as a useful back up for Lambert.
Chance of it happening: 5/10

7. Kevin Doyle
A transfer that would seem a nice fit. Doyle will presumably not want to be part of Wolves’ promotion push, and could act as a wonderful foil for Lambert’s strength in the air. Doyle is prepared to run the channels and chase loose balls. The only thing that may put off Southampton is a fee of potentially £6million and the fact that he scored just four Premier League goals last season. With Jay Rodriguez already through the door, that might be enough to scupper the potential move.
Chance of it happening: 5/10

8. Scott Dann
A massive fall from grace for Dann. Hiis performances last season were not that of a Premier League performer. He would presumably get into the Southampton first team, but given that Blackburn paid £6million less than year ago, the price may put off many clubs.
Chance of it happening: 7/10

9. Kevin de Bruyne
Given Chelsea’s incredible multitude of midfielders, it seems likely that de Bruyne will find himself behind Marko Marin for a starting berth. Having already spent six months on loan, Chelsea may now prefer to give de Bruyne a season finding his feet in the Premier League. If so, Southmpton could allow him to practise crossing the ball onto Ricky Lambert’s head at will.
Chance of it happening: 8/10

10. Conor McAleny
McAleny had impressed at Everton in his early days, but having reached 19 has been released by the Merseyside club. With Derby County also interested, it may be that Southampton feel that the young striker is not of Premier League standard. But the club’s record of nurturing and improving young talent may persuade them to take a chance.
Chance of it happening: 6/10

Already in the bag: Jay Rodriguez (Burnley, £7million)