Is Southampton the unnamed club looking at this midfield transfer target?

Southampton have just clashed with Paderborn in a behind-closed-doors friendly with one absence rather telling.

Not much can be looked into the final result, as the Saints lost 2-1 to Ralf Kettemann's men at the hosts' training complex, but the eye-catching bit of news to hang onto was that Shea Charles was nowhere to be seen in the 22-man squad selected.

Even Cameron Archer was present on the bench for Tonda Eckert's visitors, as he eyes his own summer move away, with many reading between the lines that this no-show in Germany indicates that the Northern Ireland international will finally be pushing through a move.

If Charles were to eventually leave, Southampton, you imagine, would delve into the market to try and sign a new midfielder who can fill his void, away from already possessing the likes of Cameron Bragg and Flynn Downes.

Could they be the unnamed club taking a look at this in-demand gem from Norway?

Is Southampton the unnamed club mentioned?

Championship clubs, in this day and age, seemingly love an eye-catching signing from Scandinavia, with West Bromwich Albion - who recently pipped the Saints to the coveted signature of Nolan Galves - also in for Felix Horn Myhre, who is a Nordic midfield machine from SK Brann.

The Saints could well be tempted to cast their net into this unpredictable market, too, with the latest reports on Jens Hjerto Dahl leaving Tromso behind, amid well-known interest from Cardiff City and Rangers, stating that an unspecified second tier team is keen on the standout 20-year-old.

This nameless outfit could well be Eckert's men, with Dahl's ability to be both forward-thinking, yet resolute and strong in a tackle, making him an ideal replacement for Charles.

They will have to cough up considerable cash for Dahl, if they sneak into the race at the final hour, with the Bluebirds reportedly bidding a substantial £7.8m for the Tromso-born ace.

Eckert and Co. could be set to win around £25m for Charles, so this shouldn't be a major issue, with the time now right for Southampton to stop pussyfooting around the issue and sell him, so they can bolster their options all over the pitch.

Charles being sold might not just be used on midfield recruits

This added cash injection could go a long way in bolstering Eckert's choices in various positions.

Indeed, the main priority will be landing another striker, and with £25m or thereabouts potentially won from the Charles deal, an exciting second-in-command figure to Cyle Larin could finally arrive through the door.

Maybe, alongside surprising everyone with a last-minute swoop for Dahl, they could go in for the hotly contested signature of Dom Ballard, who has spoken recently of his remaining admiration for his boyhood club. With 23 goals put away with ease in League One last season for Leyton Orient, the Championship is calling.

Of course, in a dream reality, Southampton would keep hold of Charles, after he offered up so many tenacious, game-changing displays for the South Coast side last season.

But, with his absence from the Paderborn run-out sticking out like a sore thumb, it's clear that he wants a move away, and with Dahl available, losing Charles doesn't have to be the end of the world.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow