With Southampton anticipating a busy summer ahead, it is clear that Russell Martin will be lucky to keep one of his star players.
Southampton are entering a pivotal period of their Championship campaign. Russell Martin‘s men are nine points adrift of first place Leeds United and need to win their two games in hand to stand any chance of finishing in the top two.
The club are uncertain about the division they will be playing in next season, and the same goes for the future of several players.
Whilst the Saints are prioritising a permanent deal for West Ham loanee Flynn Downes in the summer, striker Che Adams is almost certain to leave on a free transfer with Wolves leading the race for his signature.
Adams isn’t the only player who could be on his way out as more interest in right-back Kyle Walker-Peters is anticipated.
Southampton will be lucky to keep Kyle Walker-Peters
After a stunning season at St Mary’s, Walker-Peters will attract a whole host of attention in the summer having seen several clubs target him in January.
As reported by David Ornstein previously, the 26-year-old’s former club, Tottenham are believed to have inserted a £30 million buyback clause in his contract while Arsenal and Manchester United have also taken a look at the defender.
Despite playing in the Championship, it is clear to see why some of the Premier League’s big hitters want to poach him from Southampton.
The Englishman has been the best attacking full-back in the division this term, topping his positional peers in the second tier for most successful dribbles per game (2.2) while ranking in the top 1% for progressive passes (7.26), progressive carries (5.85) and the top 3% for touches in the box (3.38).
As highlighted by the above FBref statistics, Walker-Peters is the driving force for Southampton down the right and the positions he takes up deep into the opposing half are crucial to their threat in the final third.
Walker-Peters has missed the last two games through injury and although the Saints have won both while scoring four in each, Martin has missed the balance he provides down the right flank.
Fortunately, he is set to return for Friday’s home clash against Middlesbrough.
Kyle Walker-Peters is likely to depart in the summer
With his contract expiring in June 2025, Southampton’s only way of keeping the fleet-footed Englishman is by offering him a lucrative contract.
However, given some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs are circling, they may be forced into selling the right-back, especially with FFP regulations hanging over them.
The Saints can ill afford to let their “super” talent depart on a free transfer in 2025 and may have to cash in on the defender they signed for £12 million from Spurs in August 2020.
Of course, it would be a bitter pill to swallow for everyone associated with the club, however, if the right offer does come in, no one can blame Walker-Peters for jumping ship following a fantastic season in the Championship.