Despite the January transfer window only closing a matter of weeks ago, clubs are already exploring potential deals for the summer.
Southampton managed to keep hold of their key players in January, with the talented but inconsistent Carlos Alcaraz‘ loan to Juventus the only significant outgoing.
Russell Martin saw Bournemouth duo David Brooks and Joe Rothwell both arrive on loan until the end of the season to bolster his options, whilst many were surprised to see striker Che Adams remain at the club despite his contract being due to expire in the summer.
Perhaps the most pleasing thing for Southampton fans was that Kyle Walker-Peters ended the window at the club, given the incredible season he is having and reported interest from Chelsea. Now, though, with the summer transfer window on the horizon, Southampton may have to brace themselves for more intense interest in their right-back.
Could Kyle Walker-Peters return to Tottenham?
Walker-Peters has looked a cut above the rest for Southampton this season and is revelling in the attacking freedom that his manager is giving him in his possession-based style.
The man capped by England has two goals and two assists in the Championship, but those numbers do not even begin to tell the story of how influential Walker-Peters has been this season. The fact the full-back has played every minute of Southampton’s 33 Championship game this season is testament to his importance.
After surprisingly little concrete interest in Walker-Peters in January, it is likely that he will be the topic of many a transfer discussion in the summer regardless of whether Southampton achieve promotion or not.
One club who could be interested in the Southampton man is his former club Tottenham Hotspur, with HITC Football transfer expert Graeme Bailey namedropping Walker-Peters when discussing Spurs’ defensive transfer targets with The Spurs News as he said: “My understanding is they are looking for someone who can possibly play both sides, not Diego Dalot but someone of that ilk. I wouldn’t necessarily rule it out, Walker-Peters is someone who Chelsea looked at as well”.
Walker-Peters will only have a year left on his Saints contract come the summer and the lure of a return to the club where it all started could be a strong one for the defender. However, Martin will be far from thrilled at the prospect of losing a player he clearly loves working with as, when speaking about Walker-Peters in January, the Saints boss said: “He has some incredible attributes and does stuff I’ve never seen before. He’s a really gifted person.”
The focus for Martin and Walker-Peters for now is securing a return to the Premier League at the first attempt. If that is secured then the chances of the player staying at the club increase and failure to achieve this will undoubtedly result in Walker-Peters seeking pastures new.