SANCTIONING the sales of key and fringe players were key to Southampton keeping their head above water this season.

Following relegation from the Premier League, Saints traded more than £100million in players to stay on the right side of financial fair play.

James Ward-Prowse, Tino Livramento and Romeo Lavia all made high-profile returns to England's top division. 

However, there were several the club were grateful to see gone, with clubs in countries such as Qatar, Turkey and Belgium the recipients. 

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Here are the players we think Saints will try to sell for a fee or would be open to negotiations for in the upcoming summer window... 

Daily Echo: Saints chiefs might need sales to balance the books again this summerSaints chiefs might need sales to balance the books again this summer (Image: Stuart Martin)

Charly Alcaraz - £25m to £40m

The Argentine was one of the few shining lights in the Premier League last season but it never started to work under Russell Martin. 

Saints sanctioning an admittedly unlikely permanent transfer clause in his Juventus loan sets out their stall on the 21 year old.

Reports in Italy already suggest Juve will not activate the £43million option to buy, while Alcaraz is currently sidelined through injury. 

However, that option gives other top clubs a marker for what Saints might demand and the club will accept a fee in that region. 

Daily Echo: Charly AlcarazCharly Alcaraz (Image: PA)

Armel Bella-Kotchap - £17.5m to £27.5m

German defender Bella-Kotchap has endured a nightmare on loan at PSV after his deadline day move to Bayern Munich fell through.

The 22 year old international has been sidelined by shoulder surgery since November and is only just coming back to the pitch now.

His stock has almost certainly fallen in the last 12 months but he is still a valuable player who will likely attract offers. 

Martin wanted to keep him this season but he did not want to play in the Championship and it could be a similar story again.

Daily Echo: Armel Bella-KotchapArmel Bella-Kotchap (Image: PA)

Kamaldeen Sulemana - £12.5m to £22.5m

Kamaldeen is yet to record a goal this season after his last-day double against Liverpool proved promising in May last year. 

The 22 year old is Southampton's club-record signing but third-choice left-winger in the Championship at the same time. 

Kamaldeen was linked with a move away last summer but an injury in pre-season likely scuppered any chances of that. 

Saints may have to accept a loss on the £22million they paid but it seems unlikely either party would reject a significant summer offer. 

Daily Echo: Kamaldeen SulemanaKamaldeen Sulemana (Image: PA)

Paul Onuachu - £7.5m to £12.5m

Onuachu's Saints career lasted less than six months and he is an almost certainty for a permanent exit this summer.

Trabzonspor have paid Saints a loan fee for his services and are likely to pursue a transfer at the end of the campaign. 

Reports suggest they do not want to pay more than £10million for the prolific Nigerian forward, who cost £15million to buy from Genk.

If Saints can get near that back it will be a nice bonus and could be key to balancing the books in the event of no promotion. 

Daily Echo: Paul OnuachuPaul Onuachu (Image: Stuart Martin)

Romain Perraud - £5m to £8.5m 

Martin ruled out the return of Perraud in January despite having just one fit left-back in Ryan Manning. 

It suggests the boss does not want or need Perraud and makes a return in the summer seem unlikely. 

Perraud, 26, will have one year left on his Saints contract come the summer and this could reduce the value Saints can get for him. 

They will look to get as much as possible back from their initial outlay and Nice reportedly have an £8.5million option to buy. 

Daily Echo: Romain PerraudRomain Perraud (Image: Image: Stuart Martin)

Duje Caleta-Car - £4m to £6m

Caleta-Car made only 13 Premier League appearances last season and the reason why was shrouded in rumour.

Lyon have paid less than £1.5million for the loan and have an option to buy him worth around £3million, with a further £2million bonus. 

Caleta-Car seemed to make it clear he would not return to Saints in a thanks message after his move with the loan likely to be made permanent. 

Lyon have won nine of their last 11 games with Caleta-Car, 27, starting, having won just one of the last 10 without him. 

Daily Echo: Duje Caleta-CarDuje Caleta-Car (Image: PA)

Mat Lis - £1m to £2.5m

Polish shot-stopper Lis has never played for Saints but has become a fan-favourite at Sport Republic sister club Goztepe.

The 27 year old performed well against Saints in the pre-season friendly and reports have suggested he will stay in Turkey. 

Lis was signed on a free transfer and a five-year contract in the summer of 2022 but could be a no-brainer move to Goztepe.

Negotiations will be easy and Saints will make a bit of speedy profit, with Joe Lumley already signed up to remain backup next season. 

Daily Echo: Mat LisMat Lis (Image: Southampton FC)

Lyanco - £1m to £2.5m

Lyanco was ruled out between October and February through injury but is back and playing again for loan side Al-Gharafa. 

A permanent transfer to Besiktas fell apart at the last minute last summer and Saints could not find another new home.

Perhaps the centre-back, now 27 years old, will return to Brazil - a future at Saints is extremely unlikely.

Albeit a popular character, his stock has only fallen since a £5million move to Saints from Torino in 2021 and it will go down as bad business. 

Daily Echo: LyancoLyanco (Image: PA)

Transfer values given are only estimates based on online market values and feelings from sources.