2024/25 has been a terrible time to be a Southampton fan. Relegated from the Premier League on 12 points, things could only get better, right? Wrong!
Will Still's arrival as manager prompted a shocking run of form that left the Saints one place above the drop zone before he was sacked.
So, as 2025 begins to draw to a close, here is a list of players who probably won't be at St Mary's in 2026.
This Manchester City Academy graduate could force a move
The first on the list of players who are most likely to depart from St Mary's in January must surely be Samuel Edozie. The Manchester City academy graduate had enjoyed a loan spell at RSC Anderlecht in Belgium in 2024/25 and appeared to be angling for a move in the summer.
As a result, Edozie was left out of the first team and got himself injured just as he was back in contention. He had played in Southampton's pre-season opener at Eastleigh where he looked one of the best players on the pitch.
It seems unlikely that Edozie will fancy the uncertainty at St Mary's and could well force his way out of the club in January.
Three goals and three assists in 23 Belgian pro-league matches seems like a poor return for such a talented player with so much potential.
Although Edozie might be keen to push forward with a move, the list of clubs vying for his signature could be quite underwhelming.
Another loan move might be all that the 22-year-old could realistically hope for in January. But don't expect to see him in a Saints' shirt at St Mary's in the new year.
One young player who is too good to sit on the bench
Ronnie Edwards is too good to be sitting on the bench of a struggling Championship team.
If whoever gets the nod from Sport Republic to manage the club continues to overlook the former England under-21 international in favour of Jack Stephens and Nathan Wood, Edwards won't stay long.
It wouldn't even surprise Saints Marching if Edwards went in January and there could be plenty of suitors in some of Europe's strongest leagues.
Rumours of a move north of the border for a key player
If rumours are to be believed, midfielder Shea Charles could soon be on his way out of St Mary's too.
Charles has been one of Southampton's better players in a catastrophic opening to a poor season.
The Northern Ireland international spent last season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and has been an ever present at Southampton under Will Still.
Charles scored his first goal for the Saints when he equalised in the EFL Cup defeat at Liverpool in September.
Now, it seems like Charles is attracting attention from Glagow Rangers and Sheffield United. Other clubs could soon follow suit.
Highest paid player could go in the January sales
Despite being a fans' favourite, Joe Aribo could get his desired move away from St Mary's in the January window.
Aribo was frozen out by Still after pushing for a move away from the club in the summer.
After making his name north of the border at Glasgow Rangers, Aribo became a key player in the Championship play-off season but has struggled ever since.
He remains the club's highest paid player apart from Aaron Ramsdale who is currently out on loan at Newcastle.
Aribo may be looking for a move to a club in one of the top European leagues which is quite laughable; he has been so far off the pace this season, he would struggle to get in a League 1 team.
Saints' best goalkeeper could leave permanently
After his high profile move to St Mary's from the Emirates in August 2024, Ramsdale made very little impact on improving a doomed team.
At a critical time in the season, Ramsdale injured a finger. By the time he returned Russell Martin had been sacked and he was playing under Ivan Juric.
There was no visible progress under Juric and with relegation all but guaranteed, it was inevitable that Ramsdale would seek a move.
When Newcastle made an offer to loan him for the season as back up to Nick Pope, it was a win-win for both clubs. At £100,000 plus per week, Ramsdale's salary was just too hefty for a Championship club.
According to reports, Ramsdale has indicated that he would like to make his move to St James' Park a permanent one on January.