Southampton may have have accidentally given a huge indication on Che Adams’ future with recent pre-season footage.
Russell Martin welcomed his Southampton players back for pre-season at the start of July, with no time to waste in their preparations for a return to the Premier League.
The club kick-off their pre-season friendlies with the short trip to National League side Eastleigh on Friday night, with Martin also having been present to watch an under-21 XI face AFC Totton last weekend.
Saints fans could get their first look at a number of new – as well as some old – faces, with the seven summer arrivals including Ronnie Edwards and Yukinari Sugawara as well as last season’s loan duo Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Flynn Downes.
- READ MORE: The two positions Russell Martin wants Southampton to strengthen after permanent Flynn Downes deal
Another new arrival that Southampton fans are very familiar with is Adam Lallana.
The 36-year-old has returned to his first club this summer ten years after leaving for Liverpool and the number he has been wearing in training has given a huge hint on the future of Che Adams.
Adam Lallana wearing Che Adams’ number ten in training
Adams is out of contract following the expiration of his Southampton deal at the end of June.
The 28-year-old was one of three senior players whose contracts came to an end this summer, but the club have already confirmed the departure of Stuart Armstrong, whilst Alex McCarthy has signed a new deal.
Intriguingly, there has been no confirmation either way for Adams since the club stated discussions were ongoing when publishing their retained list for the 2024/25 season.
Adams had a contract offer on the table for almost all of last season and has also held talks with Wolves and Nottingham Forest.
Further afield, Torino and Saudi club Al-Shabab are both credited with interest in the Scotland striker.
- READ MORE: The staggering amount Southampton contract rebel Che Adams will earn if he makes Saudi move
However, Southampton may have inadvertently confirmed Adams’ exit as Lallana has been spotted wearing the striker’s number ten in pre-season training.
Whilst this could merely be coincidence, it would seem strange for the club to hand Lallana Adams’ number to train in if he was set to sign a new contract.
Adams’ contract saga frustrating for Southampton fans
Adams has been a decent servant for Southampton and scored 15 Championship goals last season to help fire the club to a return to the Premier League.
However, he has never been prolific and there will be fans who do not see why the club have pushed so hard for him to stay.
Adams has constantly been linked with a move away over the past two years and has done very little to ever dampen that speculation.
Whilst he is a decent striker, even if he stayed Southampton would need to sign a significant upgrade if they are stay up next season.
With that in mind, this could be the welcome end to a transfer saga that has threatened to rumble on all summer and Martin can focus his attention in bringing in one or two more centre-forwards.