(Credit: Imago)
Wed 25 June 2025 21:01, UK
Southampton are stepping up efforts to sign Scotland and Sturm Graz right-back Max Johnston to replace the departing Kyle Walker-Peters, sources have told Football Insider.
Johnston could be available for around for €2.5million euros (£2.1m) after an impressive season in which he helped Graz win the Austrian Bundesliga for a second successive campaign.
Southampton are after a new right-back after Kyle Walker-Peters’ St Mary’s departure was announced on Wednesday (25 June).
New boss Will Still is keen to replace the outgoing England international with a younger player, and Johnston is top of their list of targets as they plan to make a move.
Johnston’s Sturm Graz career statistics (all competitions)Southampton target Johnston swoop
Football Insider revealed last August that Stoke City, Swansea and Oxford were chasing a deal to sign Johnston on loan, and he is once again being targeted by a Championship side this summer in the Saints.
The 21-year-old made his Scotland debut in March in a Nations League win over Greece, after previously representing the Tartan Army at various youth levels.
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He started out at Motherwell, and made 22 senior appearances for the Scottish Premiership side before joining Graz in 2023.
Johnston has been a regular at right-back for the Austrian side since his arrival, and has also featured in both the Champions League and Europa League while helping them win back-to-back league titles.
He played against the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Lille and Sporting CP in the last campaign, while on the international front, he notched his first assist for Scotland in their 3-1 defeat to Iceland earlier this month.
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Southampton are not only planning to bring in a new right-back as they aim to bolster new boss Still’s ranks in the hope of competing near the top of the Championship in the new season.
Football Insider have recently revealed that the Saints have made contact over signing Everton goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, alongside fellow newly-relegated side Leicester City.
Southampton are in the market for goalkeeping reinforcements, with Aaron Ramsdale expected to move on following their relegation, while Joe Lumley has been released at the end of his contract.
38-year-old Begovic has emerged as a target for the south-coast side due to his availability, as he will become a free agent when his Toffees contract expires at the end of the month.
He would likely be considered a second-choice option in Still’s squad despite the speculation around Ramsdale, but would bring a wealth of experience, with 256 appearances in the Premier League to date.
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