Southampton are set to enter yet another new era, under a manager who looks likely to be 32-year-old interim Tonda Eckert, who recently became the first Saints boss since the Second World War to win his first four games in charge.
The German has certainly taken the opportunity by the scruff of the neck, taking 12 points from a possible 15 in the Championship and is on pole to land the job in the coming weeks.
In this article, the focus is on which players could be leaving the club, as new manager Tonda Eckert navigates the challenging winter transfer window to shape the squad to his vision.
Whether it’s to make room for player registration, save on wages, or remove dead wood, here are five players the Saints should be looking to move on.
Joe Aribo
A player who has had a bumpy ride since joining the Saints in 2022, Aribo has gone from a striker in a European final for Rangers, to playing in midfield under Russell Martin, to a centre-back stint under Ivan Juric in early 2025!
But this summer, a planned move away from Southampton fell apart, and the Nigerian has looked extremely poor in various cameo appearances since.
Somebody taking up high wages and producing a low output isn’t good to keep around.
It’s time to end things early before the Saints lose him for nothing next summer – sell.
Samuel Edozie
The only outfield player in the Southampton squad yet to make an appearance this season, not helped by the fact that the English winger has been injured ever since a move fell apart for him this summer.
Somebody who has never lived up to the hype that he was bought for, the Saints should be looking to get him off the books ASAP – sell.
Elias Jelert
Elias Jelert looked like a clever coup this summer, but the Dane has hardly played for the Saints since joining on a loan-to-buy deal.
Plagued by injuries, Jelert is a defender who can play on both sides of the pitch, but after an impressive debut at Anfield in the League Cup, hasn’t played enough football.
The Saints should be looking to terminate this loan deal early and free up a space in their already full squad.
Damion Downs
Arguably, the most important position that Southampton needed to invest in this summer, Johannes Spors’ signing of striker Damion Downs has proved disastrous.
Nowhere near Championship quality, Downs has looked like a lost cause in every appearance so far this season, failing to register a single goal in his time on the south coast.
The American clearly needs a loan move at a lower level to discover some confidence, or maybe the Saints should cut their losses early and sell permanently.
There will certainly be takers in the second tier in Germany.
Cameron Archer
Maybe unfairly, Archer has never quite strung together a good run of form in the Southampton side.
Signed as Southampton’s Premier League striker for 2024/25, it was a strange signing, not fit for the profile of player Russell Martin needed.
Now under Tonda Eckert, even academy player Nick Oyekunle is ahead in the running; it’s time to part ways.
Southampton have used all twenty-five of their squad registration slots for the season as it stands, so departures must take place before any signings can come in to strengthen the club’s promotion bid.
Tonda Eckert and Johannes Spors’ wishlist is likely to consist of a new goalkeeper, wing-back and out-and-out striker, if the club is dead set on achieving promotion this campaign.
Keep your eyes peeled for the next article on the Saints’ potential business: ‘5 Players Southampton Should Sign in January 2026’.
