The January transfer window is always a frantic time of year with clubs scrambling to improve their squad for the rest of the season, but Southampton are hoping to have a relatively quiet end to the month.
Russell Martin said at the start of the window that he was hoping for “one or two” additions this month. Joe Rothwell joined the club on loan from Bournemouth this week to bolster the midfield, with Flynn Downes impressed with the addition after his first training session.
It is no secret that the other position the club are targeting is a right winger. Various names have been linked this January, with the likes of Amad Diallo, David Brooks and Manuel Benson all having been mentioned but as yet a deal isn’t close.
Given how well Southampton are performing – the club currently on a 20-game unbeaten run -the most pleasing factor this month is the fact they have not been in a position where they have had to sell anyone.
In Martin’s pre-Swansea City press conference, two players in particular were the centre of attention; with interest expected to ramp up in the pair in the remaining days of the transfer window.
Russell Martin provides update on futures of Che Adams and Kyle Walker-Peters
Che Adams has shown how important a player he can be for Southampton, having scored four goals in his last five games in all competitions, but due to his contract situation it is believed a suitable bid will be enough to convince Southampton to sell this month rather than lose the striker for free in the summer.
Kyle Walker-Peters is the other player who is attracting interest, with reports emerging that Chelsea are weighing up a move for the 26-year-old who has arguably been Southampton’s best player this season.
Asked what the message of the club would be to anyone showing interest in signing either Adams or Walker-Peters, Martin responded: “My message is probably different from the party line, but ‘go away’ probably.”
“They’re both very happy I believe. I don’t think anyone is in a rush to leave the club. We’ve had interest in players this window where the player has just shot down the interest straight away because they want to be part of something here and I think a lot of them feel the best thing for everyone would be to get to the Premier League together and see where this way of playing and what we do and how we work, see where it could take them in the Premier League.”
This is a strong stance from Martin, but highlights how important he feels the duo are to the Saints’ hopes of promotion this season. However, the Southampton boss did caveat the position as he stated: “A lot can change in the next week because it’s January and it’s chaos but I hope we’re left with both of them.”
Martin gives Walker-Peters high praise amid interest
Of the pair, given their different situations, it is expected that Adams is far more likely to depart. Southampton are not currently in the market for a striker, but if Adams were to leave this could accelerate plans to bring in a forward.
When asked if the club would find it hard to turn down a decent offer for either Adams or Walker-Peters, Martin responded: “I don’t know. I think Kyle is very different to Che, Che has six months left on his contract.”
From a footballing perspective it makes sense for Southampton to rebut any interest for Adams, however financially it may not be logical for the club to reject a decent offer for a player they could lose for free in the summer. What the Southampton hierarchy must weigh up is whether the financial rewards of promotion – of which the chances are greater with Adams at the club – outweigh the potential loss of Adams seeing out his contract.
Walker-Peters’ situation is more clear cut. He is a very talented player with a contract until the summer of 2025 and any club thinking they can secure a cut-price deal because Southampton are in the Championship likely to be very much mistaken.
Martin confirmed as much, explaining: “It would take a lot of money for him (Walker-Peters) to be prised away from here. It doesn’t surprise me that clubs like that (Chelsea) are interested in him because of his level of talent really.”
Martin clearly loves working with Walker-Peters, and the full-back has played every minute in the Championship this season. His manager waxed lyrical about the England international to the press, saying: “He has some incredible attributes and does stuff I’ve never seen before. He’s a really gifted person.”
Walker-Peters will have Premier League ambitions and is clearly far too talented to play in the Championship, but there is a lot to be said for enjoying your football and the ex Tottenham Hotspur defender certainly appears to be doing just that.
Asked specifically about whether the player himself may push for a move, Martin’s response should ease Southampton fans’ concerns, as he said there has been “no conversation at all about him wanting to leave. I think everyone agrees he is in such a good place, he’s such a talented footballer, I think he’s enjoying himself, we’re playing in a way that he really gets to express himself and show how good he can be.”
Where fans around the country will be hoping for a busy rest of the transfer window, Southampton fans will for once be hoping for calm.
If the the Saints can end this window with Adams and Walker-Peters still at the club, as well as a new right winger, then you would be brave to bet against them securing a return to the Premier League at the first attempt this season.