Saints have certainly been active in the transfer so far this summer, with five signings in the bag already and not too much cash being paid out so far, but it seems that their recruitment campaign is far from finished yet.

So far Southampton have made five signings but with Adam Lallana & Charlie Taylor coming on out of contract free transfers and Nathan Wood & Ronnie Edwards fee's both being under £5 million, the only significant fee paid out has been the £20 million forked out for Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who spent last season on loan at St Mary's.

But it seems that the work and for that matter the cash in the coffers is far from finished with several big deals supposedly in the pipeline.

One of those according to getfootballnewsfrance.com has revealed that Southampton have had an initial bid turned down for Metz midfielder Lamine Camara.

They claim that Metz are also looking to garner a considerable fee for the 20 year old Camara. The Senegalese international who has already been capped 10 times scoring 3 goals for his country, has shone during his first season in Ligue 1.

Camara joined Metz from Academie Génération Foot, with whom Metz have a partnership, this is an club in Senegal, that has produced a significant amount of footballers who have succeeded in Europe since it's foundation in 2000, including ex Saints player Sadio Mane.

A central midfielder who can operate as a defensive option, an attacking option or just in the centre, after joining Metz in the summer of 2023, he played in 31 of the possible 34 Ligue 1 games, starting 30 of them, he also played both games in the Ligue1/2 play offs which saw Metz suffer relegation.

In these 33 games in total he scored twice plus 5 assists.

The opening bid was around £9 million, but that has been dismissed by Metz who are keen to get as much as they can for the player and open up a bidding war.

But the reports say that it is expected that Southampton will return with a new improved offer to get their man.

Photo: Action Images

Monksway added 11:38 - Jul 13 Not easy to work out Saints transfer strategy so far. If Sugawara signs presumably that means KWP is gone. Two new centre backs presumably means same for Bednarek. Does this midfielder mean Aribo or Alcaraz is off or that Downes isn't coming. And do any of the paper reports have any actual substance!
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Colburn added 14:01 - Jul 13 Not surprised, we always offer low amounts and sometimes lose out as a result. Feels like we’re trying to do everything on the cheap, not a recipe for success. Shows a lack of ambition. I have little confidence in these owners with their ability to sign the right mix to survive or better in the Prem.
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underweststand added 16:36 - Jul 13 Well.....perhaps you're not familiar with bargaining and negotiations (Colburn), We're not buying a second-hand car, but hopefully get a deal for a player with a good future. We're talking millions here and - when we HAD to pay 20 million for Harwood-Bellis (undoubtedly a good buy )..but IF we really want this player there is figure that will get the deal over the line, but surely no-one would agree to the asking price at the first meeting. His club see Saints' potential Prem. income and will want " their share" ...and a bit more. Although Alcarez was a good prospect and is now worth a lot more, sadly the Mara deal seems a disappointment - even though both players cost around the same amount to buy. IF ..Carmara is " the real thing " he'll be worth the fee (whatever it is), but every player has a price, and Saints still have more players to buy and every million saved could be vital in the end, remembering that we have to pay a salary to these guys as well.

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