Promotion to the Premier League could now see Southampton keep hold of one of their star players.
Adam Armstrong’s first-half strike proved enough to beat Leeds United 1-0 at Wembley on Sunday and secure a return to the top flight for Southampton after just one season away.
With promotion, the Saints also ensured the permanent signing of Taylor Harwood-Bellis, with the 22-year-old’s loan deal from Manchester City including an obligation to buy for £20 million if the club went up.
The priority is now securing the future of loan duo Flynn Downes and Ryan Fraser, with fellow loanees David Brooks and Joe Rothwell facing uncertain futures.
Given his ability, one of Southampton’s best players would have had little choice but to move on in the summer if the club missed out on promotion.
Now, with promotion secured, he could well stay at the club.
Southampton promotion could see Kyle Walker-Peters stay
Kyle Walker-Peters was immense in the play-off final, marking Leeds’ biggest threat Crysencio Summerville out of the game.
The £20k-a-week man was Southampton’s sole representative in the EFL Championship Team of the Season and was even linked with a move to Chelsea in January such was the quality of his performances.
With two England caps to his name and his obvious talents, Walker-Peters would not have been able to afford to stay in the Championship for a second season for the sake of his career.
The 27-year-old has loved his football under manager Russell Martin this season, with the Saints boss giving Walker-Peters the licence to join the attack, as well as move in-field when the opportunity presents itself.
Martin himself admitted the club would be resigned to the sale of the right-back if they were to miss out on promotion, but they have now given themselves every opportunity of keeping a player who is arguably the most talented in the squad.
Walker-Peters will again be key in Premier League
When Southampton were relegated to the Championship in 2022/23, Walker-Peters will unquestionably have been exploring his options.
However, the Saints hierarchy stood firm that he was to stay at the club and they instead allowed fellow right-back Tino Livramento to join Newcastle United.
Even after this move, the fact Walker-Peters was still at the club beyond the summer transfer window was a huge shock.
Rather than sulk, as many players in his position would have done, Walker-Peters knuckled down and looked a player determined to drag Southampton to promotion.
The manager that ended the last season in the Premier League in the dugout, Ruben Selles, was full of praise for the defender in his time in charge of the club, saying: “I think Kyle is an extraordinary player.
“His ability in positions, but also to understand the system we are playing has big value for us. Kyle has been really good in the Premier League for the last four to five years.
“He came from Tottenham in the final of the Champions League that season and played games in it. He’s a player that is very important for us.”
Walker-Peters could have easily left the club in January but was keen to see the job through.
That is testament to his character and now Southampton should be able to keep him at the club again as they prepare for their return to the top level.