Last year, they spent around £40m on four players who had just two senior appearances for City between them.
Both belonged to Romeo Lavia, while Republic of Ireland international Gavin Bazunu had two years of League One football behind him, but nothing higher.
Sam Edozie and Juan Larios were solely tested in the academy arena, rather than at first-team level.
Still, Southampton splashed the cash and City were £40m richer to help fund their summer business. This year, Southampton have continued the City recruitment theme by securing Blues Head of Academy Jason Wilcox to be their Director of Football, youngster Josh McNamara for their under21 team and now U21 captain Shea Charles. An eight-time Northern Ireland international, Charles only made his senior club debut in the final game of the season at Brentford, yet that is enough to see him valued at £10.5m.
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