The January 2026 transfer window officially opened on New Year’s Day, marking the point at which players entering the final six months of their contracts are permitted to hold discussions over pre-contract agreements with clubs outside the United Kingdom.
For Southampton, this period arrives at a delicate moment. Following their relegation from the Premier League last season, the Saints are finding it difficult to sustain a serious push for the Championship play-offs, and uncertainty continues to surround several senior members of the squad whose futures at St Mary’s remain unresolved.
If any of these players agree terms with a European club during January, they would be free to leave Southampton at the end of the season on a free transfer, with their current deals expiring in June. While such moves would not take place until the summer, the ability to negotiate elsewhere immediately places pressure on the club to decide whether contract renewals are justified.
At present, five Southampton players are set to become free agents in six months’ time. Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, midfielders Joe Aribo and Oriol Romeu, forward Ryan Fraser and striker Ross Stewart are all approaching the final stretch of their current contracts on the south coast.
Romeu returned to Southampton in November after rejoining the club as a free agent on a short-term deal that runs until the end of the campaign. His return was largely welcomed by supporters, with the Spaniard having previously established himself as a firm fan favourite during earlier spells at the club. However, his second stint has yet to deliver the impact many had hoped for. Southampton have lost three of the five matches in which he has featured, including late defeats to Millwall and Oxford United where he was introduced from the bench.
Since the Boxing Day loss at the Kassam Stadium, Romeu has been left out of consecutive matchday squads by head coach Tonda Eckert, missing fixtures against both Birmingham City and Millwall. His lack of match sharpness, after spending several months without regular football prior to his return, has been evident, and it has raised doubts over whether an extension will be offered.
Similarly, Joe Aribo and Ryan Fraser have struggled to make their cases for new deals. Aribo was made available for transfer during the summer window, while Fraser has frequently failed to feature in matchday squads. Neither player has shown enough consistency or influence in recent months to suggest they are pushing strongly for renewed terms.
Ross Stewart’s situation is also a concern. Signed for an initial £8 million in the summer of 2023, the Scotland international has endured a frustrating spell at St Mary’s, plagued by recurring injury problems. Over the course of two and a half seasons, Stewart has managed just 27 appearances, making it difficult for the club to justify further investment.
As things stand, it appears unlikely that Southampton will rush into extending contracts for any of the five players. With the January window now open, all eyes will be on whether overseas clubs make moves for those approaching free agency — and whether the Saints decide to act before valuable assets are lost for nothing in the summer.
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