A busy summer awaits Southampton in the contract department and manager Russell Martin has provided an update on two of his first-team stars.
Southampton are embroiled in a promotion battle at the top of the Championship. Despite trailing table-toppers Leeds United by nine points, the Saints can close that gap to just three by winning their two games in hand.
With many writing off Southampton’s automatic promotion credentials, Russell Martin believes playing the underdog role favours his side.
“We have to take care of ourselves. The beautiful thing for us is that we have been written off by everyone,” Martin said in Thursday’s press conference.
“We have averaged two points a game and we have been completely written off which is really interesting and shows the quality of the other teams.”
The Saints will be looking to make it three consecutive Championship wins at home to Middlesbrough this afternoon, with players fighting for a contract at St Mary’s.
Who is out of contract at Southampton in 2024
Three of Southampton’s first-team players see their contracts expire at the club this summer while several loan stars will return to their parent clubs.
Martin is keen on signing Flynn Downes on a permanent deal, with the 25-year-old impressing since arriving on loan from West Ham.
England under-21 centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis is another who the club would love to sign from Manchester City with Martin also not against the idea of David Brooks joining permanently.
As for the first-team players currently contracted to the club, goalkeeper Alex McCarthy will depart after eight years of service while the futures of striker Che Adams and midfield dynamo Stuart Armstrong is uncertain.
Adams once dropped a subtle hint over his future and with Wolves leading the race for his signature, the Saints risk losing their 12-goal striker.
Armstrong has been one of the Championship’s best midfielders this term and his deal is also set to expire. Martin has now provided an update on the players’ futures.
Russell Martin supplies contract update on Stuart Armstrong and Che Adams
When asked about the futures of Armstrong and Adams, Martin responded in his pre-match press conference: “They are both really comfortable.
“There was a lot of conversation between the start of the season and January. It was left in January that they were both comfortable with what they were doing and giving everything they’ve got.
“As long as they do that we have no problem at all. I really respect them and I think they respect the club’s position as well.
“As long as there is an understanding of each other we will be fine. They have both been outstanding for us – especially recently.
“They have 10 games to help us get back to the Premier League. I’m sure their biggest desire is to get back there and stay with us or have a lot of suiters.”
It appears that their future at St Mary’s depends on whether promotion to the top flight is achieved, and Martin has accepted that – if the Saints remain in the Championship – they are at a huge risk of losing Armstrong and Adams.
Southampton have 10 games left to climb into the league’s top two and with fixtures to come against Ipswich, Leicester and Leeds, there is every chance they could surge towards the Premier League.
If that did happen, it would leave Armstrong and Adams a huge decision to make on their futures.