Southampton are vying to have a successful transfer window this summer, regardless of whether they clinch promotion to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs.
The Saints were previously battling for an automatic promotion spot, but their recent 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town ensured that the South Coast club could not finish in the top two.
However, boss Tonda Eckert still deserves plenty of credit for his side’s resurgent form in recent weeks, as they appeared unlikely to land a Premier League return earlier in the season, but have now given themselves every chance.
The end of the campaign will mark Eckert’s first summer transfer window as Southampton boss, and the German will have to oversee both departures and arrivals at St Mary’s Stadium.
Southampton winger must seek summer exit following Millwall and Derby County transfer interest
The Saints have one of the most talented squads in the Championship at their disposal, which has ultimately been reflected by their league position at the business end of the season.
However, one disadvantage that Eckert has with so many gifted players in his ranks is that he can’t keep all of his individuals happy.
One player who has fallen victim to the quality of Southampton’s first team is winger Samuel Edozie, who has endured a lack of game time throughout the season.
The 23-year-old appeared as a substitute in the Saints’ aforementioned draw with Ipswich, while he made a cameo appearance in the FA Cup semi-final defeat against his former club Manchester City.
However, Edozie has seldom featured in the South Coast outfit’s matchday squads this term, let alone been handed substitute minutes or starting 11 opportunities.
As reported by The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath via X, Southampton turned down bids from Derby County and Millwall for Edozie’s services in January.
The ex-Man City starlet must push for an exit this summer, though, as his game-time situation at St Mary’s Stadium has hardly improved, and will only get worse if Eckert’s men win promotion to the Premier League.
According to the Daily Mail, the Saints paid £10million for the winger in 2022, but he must now be keen to cut his ties with them, for the sake of his own development.
Edozie was already out of favour with Southampton last season, as demonstrated by the fact that he spent the majority of the campaign on loan with Belgian club Anderlecht.
He has subsequently been unable to nail down a regular spot in the St Mary’s Stadium club’s matchday squads, even after their relegation from the Premier League back to the Championship.
Samuel Edozie sale would also help Tonda Eckert build his own squad
Eckert has done a fantastic job at Southampton so far, steering them to the Championship play-offs as well as the FA Cup semi-finals.
The Saints’ cup run was particularly impressive, as they knocked out Premier League duo Fulham and Arsenal before making a strong account of themselves in a narrow defeat to Man City at Wembley.
Meanwhile, the upcoming summer transfer window gives Eckert an opportunity to put his stamp on the squad at St Mary’s Stadium, even if the South Coast outfit fall short of their promotion goals.
Edozie’s situation at Southampton means that they are highly unlikely to recoup the £10m they paid for his services, especially given the fact that he is out of contract in 2027.
However, moving the winger on would still help Eckert facilitate other deals in the transfer market.
Above all, though, it is the former Man City man who should be pushing for a move away from Hampshire, as his lack of game time is damaging to his development.
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