Southampton boss Russell Martin is planning squad changes ahead of the club’s return to the Premier League.
Martin guided the Saints to EPL promotion via the playoffs at the back end of last season, and he will be backed by the club’s ownership in the transfer market this summer.
Midfielder Adam Lallana has already completed a free transfer back to St Mary’s, alongside a move to make Flynn Downes’ loan from West Ham United into a permanent deal.
Martin is also looking to bolster his defense, with Sao Paulo left-back Welington the latest option.
As per reports from Brazilian outlet Globo, the full-back has signed a pre-contract agreement with Southampton, which will start in January, but Saints want to bring the deal forward.
Who is Welington? Career details of rumored Southampton target
The 23-year-old Welington is a product of Sao Paulo’s youth system, having been with the club since Under-15 level.
He made his debut in 2020 and has reportedly played in excess of 100 times for the Serie A club, with most of those appearances coming in the domestic Brazilian top division.
An advanced deal would require a fee, but a switch at the start of 2025 would be on a free transfer — with his contract expiring in December.
His agent, Robson Ferreira, has fueled speculation over his client speeding up a possible move to the St. Mary’s Stadium if negotiations reach a positive conclusion.
He was quoted as telling Globo: “Wellington’s future has been decided. Now, we have to wait for negotiations between Southampton and Sao Paulo to find out whether the player will be transferred in this transfer window or at the end of our current (Brazilian) season.”
Southampton start their preseason campaign with a friendly tie against Eastleigh on July 19 before two warm up games in Spain against Bordeaux and Montpellier.
