After a disappointing season at St Mary’s, Southampton are planning to rebuild their squad with the addition of more British players, with Rangers’ Scott Arfield among their early targets.
In an effort to avoid another relegation battle, the next summer transfer window will be an opportunity to bring in more British players to try and restore their homegrown feel as a club and attempt to re-establish their place in the top 10.
The Saints have boasted a range of English talent over recent seasons, with the likes of Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw, Callum Chambers, Nathaniel Clyne, and Jack Cork at the club.
Southampton are often regarded as a feeder club for bigger teams in the league, for example, winger Sadio Mane and defensive rock Virgil van Dijk who are now stars for Liverpool.
There is still a selection of British talents that are vital to Ralph Hassenhuttl’s squad, such as James Ward-Prowse, Nathan Redmond, Danny Ings, Shane Long, Angus Gunn, and Ryan Bertrand all making regular appearances for the struggling Saints this season, with Redmond scoring a brace in their recent victory over Wolves.
However, both the Southampton board and fans alike feel they must introduce more British players in order to avoid relegation next season.
According to The Daily Mail, Scottish-born Arfield is one of the targets that the club plan to introduce to the squad next season, with a £3 million summer move being mooted.
At 30 years of age, the Rangers midfielder has enough Premier League experience under his belt following his spell at Burnley, where he made 177 appearances for the club.
