Southampton have been indirectly guided by the EFL to carefully tread over James Bree's impending free agent contract that can be easily addressed once January comes around.
January is that time of the season where English clubs all but concede defeats to their impending free agents. Declining contracts of sublime first team regulars often fall yards behind the renewal mark, and Southampton also tasted this bitter soup with Kyle Walker-Peters.
The now West Ham right-back avoided a fresh handshake with the Saints and later pursued a Premier League comeback. Transfermarkt reflects that four more free agent walkout repeats can happen at St. Mary's on the following occasion, with Joe Aribo leading that quartet.
This estimate is partially misleading as Saints loanees aren't connected to the roster, but their sporting contracts still hold impressions on the financial bills.
James Bree is a perfect example, and Southampton might just have been hinted to maintain utmost precautions in order to avoid Bree from peeping over Walker-Peters' departure playbook.
James Bree should be wrapped as an easy winter exit business
Days ago, the EFL lauded him as one of September's second-division standouts, which becomes quite noteworthy when his older Saints teammates are far from hitting prime form.
Prioritising a handsome payout from Bree, thus, becomes a butter smooth decision for Southampton's board heads. The 27-year-old was onboarded for a dismal amount, but a good million or two are going nowhere from St. Mary's should a straightforward sale commitment be reached with Charlton Athletic.
It will set the runaway to treat more unclear Southampton player futures, sometimes with boosting contract lengths also.
Experienced guards like Alex McCarthy and Ryan Fraser are essential for Still's present work and if he stays and thrives, then, the availability of those two must be locked with a green tick beyond June.