Southampton enters the 2026/27 EFL Championship season in somewhat difficult way following the fallout of the’spygate’ controversy, and as head coach Tonda Eckert awaits his fate for his role in the saga, Saints owner Dragan Solak remains ambitious.

Indeed, Southampton could have played in the Premier League next season if an intern analyst from the club hadn’t been caught spying on Middlesbrough from behind a tree.

A 19-game unbeaten streak propelled the Saints into the play-offs by the conclusion of the season, but despite a 2-1 victory against Borough in the semi-finals, Southampton were found guilty of spying and were kicked out of the competition as punishment.

Tonda Eckert, the German head coach, is waiting to know if he will face a ban for his role in the saga, but he has already started to shake things up in the Southampton attack.

Numerous incomings and outgoings are expected, as Saints owner Dragan Solak reportedly put a costly price on one of their stars, making it apparent that they intend to keep their elite players at St Mary’s.

Southampton owner Dragan Solak values Leo Scienza about £35 million.

Ross Stewart, a Scottish striker, has officially departed the club after his contract expired, after Southampton were unable to agree on fresh terms for the 29-year-old, in a seismic turn of events on the South Coast.

Canadian forward Cyle Larin’s loan move from Mallorca in January became permanent this summer after eight goals in 16 Championship appearances, while Ben Brereton Diaz and Damion Downs returned to the club after completing loans elsewhere, with varied degrees of success.

Lewis Dobbin appears to be on his way to the Saints in a move worth £9 million plus add-ons from Aston Villa, highlighting Eckert’s intention to revamp Southampton’s assault.

However, the most important piece of business the Saints may do this summer is to keep Brazilian winger Leo Scienza, who, according to BBC Radio Solent’s Adam Blackmore, is valued by Southampton owner Dragan Solak at roughly £35 million.

Blackmore stated, “As far as the owner is concerned, Leo Scienza isn’t leaving unless they get ridiculous money for him. I believe Dragan Solak quoted me a number of £35 million, which he would find difficult to refuse.

Solak, who bought the club in January 2022 and also owns Turkish side Goztepe and French side Valenciennes, has overseen two relegations and one promotion since taking over on the South Coast, with Saints fans blaming him and his Sport Republic investment firm for the club’s demise.

However, Scienza’s reported £9 million transfer from FC Heidenheim last summer has proven to be a masterstroke, as, while the 27-year-old took some time to adjust, his seven goals and ten assists in 37 Championship games last season drew interest from all over England and Europe.

Leeds United were apparently interested in the Brazilian in late May, but their interest has since waned, possibly because to Solak’s £35 value of him.

No formal bids have been made for Scienza as of yet, and that valuation appears to have done its job in discouraging rivals from making a move for their star winger.

Southampton are fully in the driver’s seat when it comes to negotiating a fee for Scienza, and Solak, predictably, has no intention of allowing the Brazilian to leave for anything less than a profitable amount in the next month.

Dragan Solak’s Leo Scienza valuation will deter potential suitors, while Tonda Eckert receives a huge transfer boost.

Given Southampton’s circumstances, they are perfectly within their rights to demand a high sum for Scienza.

Losing a best player on the cheap would be a nightmare scenario for any club, including Southampton, and Solak has taken steps to ensure this does not happen with the Brazilian.

Eckert will undoubtedly want to keep the 27-year-old in Hampshire as much as he does Solak, given his immense value to the Saints.

Of course, with so much time between now and the end of the window, things can change, but for the time being, Solak’s £35 million value has deterred possible suitors from making a move, as Scienza appears increasingly likely to stay with Southampton by the start of the next season.