Southampton are showing no signs of slowing down their summer recruitment as they are now being linked with a move for one of Russell Martin’s former players.
Having already made Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ loan from Manchester City permanent, former player Adam Lallana will join as a free agent upon the expiration of his Brighton contract.
A deal for another out of contract Premier League player appears imminent, with Brentford attacking midfielder Saman Ghoddos also set to sign when his deal ends at the end of June.
Russell Martin looks to have identified Premier League experience as the main priority at the start of the summer transfer window, as Southampton are also close to wrapping up a deal for 30-year-old Ryan Fraser after a successful loan spell.
Now, Martin looks set to return to his former club Swansea City to sign one of their brightest young talents.
Russell Martin wants to sign Swansea City’s Nathan Wood
Martin spent just under two years in South Wales, having taken over as Swansea manager in August 2021 following his first managerial role at MK Dons.
It was at Swansea that Martin first came across Flynn Downes, the 25-year-old that excelled on loan at St Mary’s last season and whom Southampton are desperate to sign this summer.
Now, according to journalist Darren Witcoop, Martin is prepared to raid his former club with a move for central defender Nathan Wood.
According to Witcoop on ‘X’: ‘Southampton boss Russell Martin will return to former club Swansea to attempt again to sign Nathan Wood. Martin has already seen two bids knocked back by the Swans but is now confident of landing the defender this summer.’
Even with Harwood-Bellis signing, the Saints currently only have three senior centre-backs at the club so it makes sense that they will be targeting at least one more this summer.