Southampton fans might have anticipated that Shea Charles would be absent from the Saints' pre-season clashes in Germany as he continues to deliberate over a move away from the South Coast.
However, he doesn't fall into the same absentee pile as the likes of Caspar Jander and Finn Azaz, as he was present against Eintracht Braunschweig on Friday evening, with Tonda Eckert's men sealing another off-season win due to a Damion Downs strike.
These were his first minutes of pre-season, having not been present against Eastleigh, and the number 24 stroked the ball about with ease as he usually does.
Eckert would discuss Charles after the full-time whistle was sounded in Germany, with the relaxed manager not having sleepless nights yet about the short-term future of his midfield star.
Eckert relaxed on Charles' future
Currently, nobody is willing to cough up the high £25m+ amount Southampton want for one of their star performers from last season.
The Saints are unlikely to budge, so it's up to Leeds United or Fulham as to who wants to make the ex-Manchester City youth product their statement signing.
The ball is very much in the South Coast side's court at the time of writing, so it's no surprise that Eckert cut a casual figure, when asked about the 22-year-old and whether he will leave his camp or not.
He said, when discussing Charles' future briefly: "On the back of the season that he's played, I think it's more than clear that there's interest. I'm happy to have him around at the very moment.
“He's been excellent from the first day he came back. I think he's shown that he's on a good level to perform and I think the rest is for the club to sort.”
With how long-standing the interest has been for the Northern Ireland international, you would imagine the Saints have a tentative list of targets in mind, if he does finally exit for Craven Cottage or Elland Road.
One possible replacement that has circulated on social media could be a gem of a new recruit if explored.
This Charles replacement suggestion could be a gem
Social media account AllSaints, which reports on all the latest happenings at St. Mary's, has put forward Thomas Jørgensen as a potential Charles stand-in, with the 20-year-old currently on the books of Viborg FC in Denmark.
With Viborg noted as wanting £10m for the 20-year-old's services, as per the same post, this wouldn't be a deal that is cheap, but with the possible added cash flow of Charles leaving to factor in, it could be a smart use of cash to replace him.
The opening match of the new Superliga season took place on the same day as the Saints' first runout in Germany, as Viborg beat Odense BK 1-0, as Jørgensen got on the scoresheet.
Off the back of this winning strike, talent scout Jacek Kulig would take to his own X page to note that he is a "superb prospect" to keep an eye on.
Clearly, he has the same knack as his Manchester-born counterpart for scoring all-important strikes, with Charles bagging the late, dramatic winner against Arsenal in the FA Cup last season, among other notable goal involvements.
He has nine goals and 13 assists next to his name for Viborg, to be precise, with the 2025/26 season further seeing him average 5.6 ball recoveries and 6.6 duels won as a bruising midfield battler in Superliga action away from getting involved in attacks.
At only 20, he can only get better, and with Jørgensen standing out as a similarly well-rounded midfielder to that of Charles, he would be a gem of a pick-up if the one-time Sheffield Wednesday loanee finally ups and leaves.
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