There is no doubt that the Summer transfer window is a worrying time for Southampton fans in the Transfer Tavern.

Last summer saw the Saints fans lose key players such as, Graziano Pelle, Victor Wanyama and Sadio Mane as well as boss, Ronald Koeman who left to take the reigns of Premier League rivals, Everton.

However, Koeman’s replacement, Claude Puel has impressed our landlord with a strong first season in English football which has seen the club reach the final of the EFL Cup – which they lost to a Zlatan Ibrahimovic inspired Manchester United 3-2.

The cup run definitely raised the morale of the Saints fans in the Transfer Tavern and if they can somehow keep their talented players, the foundation is certainly there to build on, although they are not holding their breath over keeping everyone at the club next season.

With that said, the transfer policy at the Saints has always enabled the club to reinvest in their club and though there will be some players that need to leave – it is important to regain the quality from the market.

So with all that in mind, here are the main THREE priorities for Puel this summer…

Keep Sam Gallagher

Southampton are currently the joint fifth lowest scoring team in the league this year and although that may change with the signing of Manolo Gabbiadini from Napoli, our landlord believes it is vital for the Saints’ future that they keep their young 21 year old striker, Sam Gallagher, on their books.

The academy graduate has spent time on loan at Blackburn Rovers in the Championship this season and has scored 10 goals so far in an impressive season with the Lancashire club catching the eye of Saints fans in the Tavern in the process.

Sell Shane Long

Whilst Charlie Austin has been hampered with injury this season, the real distress felt among Saints’ fans in the Transfer Tavern is the ineffectiveness of Shane Long throughout.

The Irishman has only managed to find the net five times in 35 appearances among all competitions and our landlord believes a change of scenery may be beneficial to Long as he looks to rejuvenate his career.

The move may also benefit the Saints as they already possess two strong striking options when Austin is fit again along with new signing, Manolo Gabbiadini.

Sign a centre back

With Jose Fonte leaving in the January transfer window and Virgil van Dijk surely destined to leave in the near future, our landlord believes that Claude Puel must enter the market for a new centre back.

Both Kevin Wimmer and Fabian Schar were linked with the South Coast club in January and Saints fans in the Transfer Tavern would be more than happy with either or both of these men joining their club in the summer.