Southampton fans could finally see the end to a transfer saga that has been threatening to drag on all summer.
Russell Martin will be keen to have as few distractions as possible as he spends the summer getting his Southampton squad fine-tuned ahead of the Premier League.
Southampton kick off their pre-season friendlies on Friday night with the short trip to face National League side Eastleigh and there could be a number of new faces on display.
That is because Martin has already welcomed seven signings this summer, the most recent of which could be the most crucial in Flynn Downes.
- READ MORE: What squad numbers Southampton’s seven new signings could wear amid Adam Lallana training hint
One player that will not be involved, though, is Che Adams.
With the striker’s Saints contract expiring at the end of June, his future has been shrouded in uncertainty with a new contract offer on the table alongside talks with a host of other clubs.
However, it now appears he will not be a Saint next season.
Russell Martin has confirmed Che Adams departure
Whilst it has been assumed Adams is unlikely to sign up to a new deal at Southampton this summer, even with promotion, the lack of confirmation has left fans in the lurch.
When the season finished Southampton confirmed Stuart Armstrong’s exit upon the end of the midfielder’s deal, but specifically mentioned that both Adams and Alex McCarthy were in discussions with the club following the expiration of their respective contracts.
McCarthy has since signed a new contract at the club and has returned for pre-season, but with Adams there has been no subsequent update.
Now, Martin appears to have confirmed Adams will not be returning to the St Mary’s in an interview on The Stomping Ground YouTube channel.
Martin was alongside Downes for the Q&A that took place at Southampton’s kit launch in which Downes was surprisingly announced and the pair were discussing who has the best taste in music at the club.
Downes said to Martin: “Who does the music in the changing room?”
To which Martin responds: “Che Adams did didn’t he, but he’s gone.”
Southampton fans have been waiting for an update on Adams’ future since the season ended, but they probably did not expect it to come from a throwaway comment from their manager discussing dressing room music.
Saints fans can now move on from the striker and it looks as though his next destination could be Italy.
Torino ‘insists’ on signing Adams after Southampton exit
Adams had reportedly held talks with Wolves before Southampton’s promotion-winning campaign was over, whilst Nottingham Forest have retained their interest in the 28-year-old.
A surprise approach from Saudi Arabia has also been received by Adams’ entourage, but it now looks as though Serie A club Torino are most advanced in their bid to sign the Scotland international.
- READ MORE: The staggering amount Southampton contract rebel Che Adams will earn if he makes Saudi move
According to Tutto Mercato Web: ‘Torino insists on Che Adams, a Scottish striker who has recently freed himself from Southampton’.
The report goes on to say that ‘new contacts have been made’ between the club and Adams’ team.
Adams is reported to want a higher salary than Torino are willing to pay, with the player reportedly requesting £1.7 million net salary per year.
There may be a way around this, though, as the Italian club are instead proposing a lower base salary but want to include a ‘sort of superbonus linked to the individual performance’.
This may tempt Adams, who is currently still on holiday following the Euros but will want to get his future resolved.