Finn Azaz signs: 2 players Southampton FC should try sign before 7pm on 1 September | OneFootball

Two players Southampton should push to sign before the summer transfer window closes.

Southampton could have a very busy end to the summer transfer window with the level of business still not concluded.

The Saints have until 7pm on 1 September to complete any remaining deals, with a number of incomings and outgoings still possible.

The futures of Mateus Fernandes and Tyler Dibling remain uncertain, while numerous players have been linked with a move to St. Mary’s.

Will Still will be keen to shape the squad to his liking, having already overseen the arrivals of the likes of Damion Downs, Joshua Quarshie and Mads Roerslev respectively.

Here we look at two players Southampton should sign before the summer transfer window slams shut...

Finn Azaz, Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards has confirmed that Boro have rejected a bid from an unnamed club for Finn Azaz, with Southampton reported to have been plotting a £12m move for the attacking midfielder.

The Republic of Ireland international has been a key figure for Boro since his move to Teesside in January of last year, playing 45 times in the Championship last season while contributing 12 goals and 11 assists.

If the Teesside outfit are going to push for promotion this season under Edwards, then it will surely take more than £12m to convince them to instead cash in on their talismanic attacker, especially at this late stage of the window.

But if Southampton can win his signature, then he could prove a very smart replacement for Fernandes.

The Portuguese star has been linked with West Ham, who reportedly had a bid rejected earlier this month worth £30 million.

If the Hammers come in with an increased offer, then the Saints should do the same with Azaz as he could be a very smart option to take up his role in the team.

The 24-year-old has the quality to take on the burden of chance creation, and he provides an attacking threat in the final third in his own right.

Given his age, he is also someone with the potential to improve further and become even more valuable.

Azaz has also shown he may already have the quality to compete in the Premier League, making him an ideal signing for the Saints, potentially even if Fernandes does stay at St. Mary’s.

Morgan Guilavogui, Lens

Dibling’s Saints future is also up in the air as we approach the final days of the summer market.

One player that could replace him, or at least provide some healthy competition to his position, is also someone Still knows from his time in France.

Morgan Guilavogui spent last season on loan with German Bundesliga side St Pauli from Still’s former side Lens, where he scored six times in that division from 25 appearances.

Southampton have added some attacking firepower this summer in the form of Downs, but the team is still quite light out on the right flank.

If Dibling does depart, then they will be even weaker on that side, necessitating a replacement.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Saints are targeting a move for the 27-year-old but no deal has yet been agreed.

But he could be a smart option to bolster the right flank, with his top-flight experience being a valuable asset to add to the dressing room.

His performances last season played a key role in St Pauli establishing themselves in the Bundesliga, having been promoted in 2024, with the side earning a 14th-place finish.

Still and Guilavogui didn’t quite cross paths at Lens, but the two coming together at St. Mary’s might be an ideal step forward for the club, and provide the Saints boss with a versatile attacker who can operate in any role across the forward line.