Russell Martin could now face a fight to keep one of his key players at Southampton, with links across Europe now reported.
After securing promotion back to the Premier League via the Championship Play-Offs, Southampton will soon get to work in the summer transfer window.
The Saints will be eager to bolster their squad with talent in preparation for their return to the top flight, with an eye on retaining key players also.
As well as keeping hold of some of their best assets, Russell Martin will hope to renew the contracts of several stars, including three whose contracts end later this month.
Southampton may face a battle to keep Stuart Armstrong amid new interest
Martin was quizzed on the futures of Stuart Armstrong, Alex McCarthy and Che Adams after sealing promotion, as the three players are out of contract this summer.
The Saints boss admitted that the club will ‘try and keep all three’ players, via Daily Echo, however, it may not be easy for the trio to be retained at St Mary’s.
This week, Daily Record reported that Armstrong has generated interest away from Southampton, with two clubs eyeing his services.
It’s claimed that Serie A side Fiorentina and Fulham are among those who admire the Scotland international, who has been named in Steve Clarke’s provisional Euro 2024 squad as he nears a return from injury.
Daily Record adds that despite interest from the two clubs, Southampton ‘believe they can keep’ the midfielder at St Mary’s but may have to now convince the 32-year-old to remain on the South Coast.
Russell Martin will be keen to keep Armstrong
Lauded as ‘fantastic’ by his manager, via Southampton’s official website, Martin will be eager to retain Armstrong, who is a valuable member of the squad.
Having secured 42 appearances in the Championship over the 2023/24 campaign, the Scotsman was a crucial part of the Saints’ midfield, contributing to 12 goals, via Sofascore.
Interestingly, there wasn’t a player more creative than the midfield veteran over the season for Southampton than the Scot, who averaged more key passes per game than any of his teammates with 1.6, as per WhoScored.
With over 100 Premier League appearances to his name, Armstrong brings with him an invaluable amount of experience in playing in the top flight, an element that will be of great use to Martin’s side over the 2024/25 calendar.
Now that interest is reported, it will be interesting to see how the Saints navigate the 32-year-old’s contract and how the player wants his future to look beyond the summer.