Russell Martin’s latest move should reveal his stance on where the future of Southampton full-back Kyle Walker-Peters lies.
Russell Martin has been hard at work assembling a competitive squad for their return to the Premier League.
The Southampton boss is currently fleshing out his starting XI in the transfer market and so far, has landed eight new signings, five of which featured in the 7-1 demolition of National League side Eastleigh on Friday.
Ronnie Edwards and Flynn Downes were given a run out in the first half while Yukinari Sugawara, Nathan Wood and Taylor Harwood-Bellis were introduced in the second period.
The purpose of playing a local side in Eastleigh was more to get fitness back into the players’ legs before heading to Spain on Sunday ahead of a week-long training camp.
Although Martin was pleased with the players’ application and how the new signings gelled, supporters wouldn’t have been happy to see one star left out of the squad.
Kyle Walker-Peters left out of Southampton’s win vs Eastleigh amid concerns over future
The most glaring omission from Southampton’s win over Eastleigh was right-back Kyle Walker-Peters, who has attracted significant interest from elsewhere throughout this window.
Last month, Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Walker-Peters had already said ‘yes’ to joining Premier League rivals West Ham as the Hammers continue to push hard to sign the 27-year-old.
The talented Englishman played an ‘integral’ role for the Saints last term, helping them reach the top flight but with his contract expiring next summer, Southampton have to cash in.
Their latest move to leave him out of the squad could suggest they’re resigned to losing him this summer, as while supporters would love him to stay, Martin can’t risk losing one of his best players for nothing in 2025.
Southampton must line up a replacement for Kyle Walker-Peters
Southampton head on their week-long pre-season training camp in Spain from Sunday onwards.
Walker-Peters is unlikely to be left out of that but regardless of whether that is the case, Martin must line up a replacement for their star player.
A couple of weeks ago, Southampton saw a £5 million bid rejected for Bournemouth’s Max Aarons, while there are other names – including Trai Hume and Bali Mumba – who Martin could turn to from the EFL to replace the former England under-21 international.
The Saints have had a productive transfer window to this point with Downes arguably the pick of the bunch in terms of permanent recruits. However, it’s important now for Martin to accept the likely departure of Walker-Peters by landing an heir to his throne.