Southampton, despite a torrid beginning to their return to the Championship, have clawed their way back up the table under Tonda Eckert, and with less than ten games to go, the Saints find themselves within play-off contention.
It’s certainly been a season of two halves for Southampton.
The South Coast outfit returned to the Championship this campaign after suffering a demoralising relegation from the Premier League last year, and chose former Reims and Lens boss Will Still as the person to guide them into their new era.
Unfortunately, Still couldn’t replicate his excellent work from his time in Belgium and France at St Mary’s, and was dismissed after just four wins in 16 games and replaced by the club’s Under-21’s boss, Tonda Eckert.
Since Eckert took the reins, it has culminated in a remarkable rise up the division, with impressive wins over Coventry City, Queens Park Rangers, and Leicester City, all in different circumstances, as well as knocking Premier League side Fulham out of the FA Cup at Craven Cottage.
In the midfield that day for the Cottagers was 31-year-old English midfielder Harrison Reed, who could be the subject of a move between the two clubs as early as this summer.
Southampton should consider a sensational return swoop for Fulham midfielder Harrison Reed
Harrison Reed is in his seventh full season with Fulham, having initially joined the West London club from Southampton on loan in the summer of 2019.
Reed had spent two previous loan spells with both Norwich City and Blackburn Rovers, having come through the ranks at St Mary’s, but never really establishing himself in the first team, making just 30 senior appearances for the Saints.
He’d eventually join Fulham permanently alongside Mario Lemina in a double deal, with Reed’s fee reported to have been around £6 million, which has proven to be a bargain for the Cottagers.
Reed has since gone on to make over 200 appearances for Fulham under both Scott Parker and Marco Silva, though his game time has dwindled over the past few years, having played just 23 minutes of Premier League football this season, with the rest of his seven appearances coming in cup competitions.
Should Southampton make a return for the experienced Harrison Reed, or should they set their sights elsewhere? Share your thoughts below!
Under contract until the summer of 2027, with Fulham possessing an option to extend for a further year if they so wish, Reed is not expected to leave West London imminently, though that shouldn’t deter Southampton from attempting to convince the midfielder to make a return this summer.
Caspar Jander had reportedly attracted interest from the likes of RB Leipzig, Stuttgart, and Ajax, as well as Premier League clubs in the recent window, whilst Shea Charles has long been on the radar of West Ham, with exits for the Saints duo a real possibility this summer.
In any instance, Reed should remain a target for Eckert, with his experience of both Championship and Premier League football a huge factor in why he would be an attractive option, as well as, of course, the fact that he came through the ranks there.
Whether or not Southampton are playing in the first or second tier next season, Reed should be a target for Eckert, and the German should do everything he can to sanction a move for the out-of-favour midfielder.
Tonda Eckert should target Harrison Reed this summer, regardless of what division they are in
With Southampton unsure about which division they will be playing their football in next season, few plans can be made when it comes to transfer targets.
If they miraculously make their way to the play-off final and are victorious, then their preparations for Premier League football would, of course, be very different from planning for another year in the Championship.
Though Reed could be a target for them regardless of which division they find themselves in.
With over 125 Premier League appearances under his belt, despite his decrease in minutes over the years, he is still more than capable of doing a job in the top flight, whereas with over 130 Championship appearances to his name, he would certainly be one of the best midfielders in the division if he were to return to the second tier.
With Silva having no real place for Reed in his current plans, aside from in cup competitions, the Portuguese boss is unlikely to stand in his way should he want to return to his boyhood club, and likely wouldn’t break the bank either.
It’s a move that makes sense in any outcome for the Saints, and one Eckert should absolutely consider doing.
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