Southampton defender appears set for exit after training with B team

Southampton defender Yan Valery appears set for an exit in this summer transfer window after training with the club’s B team this week.

An official training gallery via southamptonfc.com showed the Frenchman taking part in drills led by B team coach Dave Horseman with a mixture of players from last year’s Under-18s and B team sides, although he was also pictured with the first-team on Wednesday too.

Having had an unsuccessful loan spell with Birmingham City in 2020/21, it is unlikely that Valery will be near the first-team’s plans right now.

Comments from Ralph Hasenhuttl in May’s Fans’ Forum confirmed that the club “were not happy with his development” and this is why he was given a chance to get senior games in the Championship.

Future Southampton chances wearing thin for Valery

More from Saints Marching

• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 2: Arrivals
• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: Departures
• It’s time to talk about Gavin Bazunu
• Rain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth Argyle
• A lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse

After breaking in and showing some strong form during the 2018/19 campaign, it looked as though Valery would be a long-term option at right-back for Saints.

However, a battle with glandular fever pushed his development back and he has been unable to impress Hasenhuttl in more recent times, with the Austrian having to have an often brutal approach to see progression from his side.

Now it looks as though another loan spell could be realistic, with a permanent deal also not out of the reckoning either.

Fellow full-back Jake Vokins has joined Ross County in the Scottish Premier League and this should provide a big step in his own career. Perhaps Valery will be given another chance to prove he can be a Saints player into the future, although transfer dealings this summer would suggest the club are starting to look beyond him.

Romain Perraud has arrived to become the first-choice left-back, whilst Kyle Walker-Peters’ form from last season will surely see him taking a starting role on the other side of the defence. The club are reportedly looking to add at least one more option behind them to ensure strength in depth, and a deal to sign Manchester United’s Brandon Williams may not be too far away.