Aston Villa’s Family Fortunes, Tottenham’s £15m copycat swoop, and Liverpool’s car boot bargain

One down, two to go. After a decade in the Premier League, Southampton became the first club to have their relegation from the top flight confirmed this season, with a lacklustre defeat to Fulham tying a bow on the millstone around their neck. In truth, it is no surprise and no less than they deserve after a largely woeful campaign.

In response, and in earnest, the exodus chatter begins thusly. In that sense, it might actually be more a case of one down, half a dressing room to go. The Saints have plenty of players attracting plenty of attention, and as the summer drags on and the chaos continues to unfurl itself, the speculation will only mount exponentially. But to get us started, here’s a round-up of the gossip that has already started doing the rounds...

Villa eye Ward-Prowse

If this was a game of Family Fortunes, and if you asked 100 people to name a player who is likely to leave Southampton this summer, the top answer, without a shadow of a doubt, would be James Ward-Prowse. The midfielder has been a talismanic presence for the Saints in recent years, but if speculation over his potential exit was rife before, prepare for it to become positively endemic now.

Tottenham have, for a long while, been considered key contenders for his signature, but now, according to The Athletic, Aston Villa are also willing to don their gum shield and throw a haymaker or two. Newcastle United are being touted as admirers too, and all we can say for certain at this stage is that this one could rumble on for a while.

The 3AM Verdict: Ward-Prowse could be exactly the kind of statement signing that Villa need to make this summer if they are serious about capitalising on their recent progress under Unai Emery. Regardless of where they finish this term, if the Villans can recruit wisely and replicate the form they have shown of late next term, they will really fancy their chances of establishing themselves as genuine European qualification contenders. This could be a move that benefits both player and club.

Spurs keen on Bazunu

Gavin Bazunu; wonderfully fun name to say, wonderfully talented player who has shown plenty of potential in spite of a wretched campaign from many of those around him. The Republic of Ireland goalkeeper has made some really decent personal progress in a difficult situation this season, and if a fresh report from Football Insider is to be believed, then his performances between the sticks for Southampton have been enough to attract the attention of Tottenham.

Spurs are on the hunt for a new number one amid expectations that Hugo Lloris will leave north London in the coming months, and at around £15 million, Bazunu could represent a cheap and long-term potential replacement. And hey, if signing a young goalkeeper from a bunch of relegated no-hopers and turning him into one of the best stoppers in the Premier League is good enough for Arsenal...

The 3AM Verdict: Bazunu has done okay this season in tremendously challenging circumstances. There is evidently a top class player in there, and with Spurs in need of a goalkeeper to replace Lloris, you can understand why they might be tempted by the prospect of a bright, young thing available at a relatively low price. That being said, there would still be an element of risk attached to throwing Bazunu in at the deep end at a club where the ambitions are so much larger than anything he has dealt with previously.

Liverpool weigh up Caleta-Car

And finally, Liverpool are said to be interested in making a move for Southampton defender Duje Caleta-Car. As per Fichajes, the Reds are in the running to lure the Croatian international away from St. Mary’s and could be availble for as little as £8.7 million this summer. Caleta-Car has put in a mixed season on the south coast, but could be worth a gamble for such a small price. Think of it like buying an electronic appliance at a car boot sale - it might be a bargain, but you won’t know for certain if it works or not until you get it home and plug it in. No refunds either, mind...

The 3AM Verdict: Caleta-Car is clearly a good player. You don’t become a Croatia international if you are not. But is he better than what Liverpool already have, and would he offer anything worthwhile to Jurgen Klopp’s squad beyond another covering option at the heart of defence? I’m not so sure...