News summary
The Spygate wait rolls into a new week. Football League World relayed a new ban prediction from Simon Jordan, who reckons the punishment could land lighter than many fear.
Jordan pointed to Marcelo Bielsa's old formal warning as the nearest precedent. His argument is that the FA has little to lean on if it wants to throw the book at Tonda Eckert.
Nothing is settled at the governing body's end. Southampton keep backing their head coach while the sanction is worked out.
Ben Brereton Díaz has worked his way back into Eckert's plans after last season's loan at Derby. The head coach told the Daily Echo he is very happy with the forward and how he has "integrated back into the group".
Brereton Díaz has featured throughout pre-season and even played centrally against Münster at Eckert's request. However, a summer move still looks likely, and Derby and Sheffield United have both been credited with interest.
Focus on the pitch shifts to Essex. Saints open the campaign away at Colchester United in the Carabao Cup first round. The club has confirmed the trip has sold out.
Kick-off is 5.30pm on Saturday the 8th August. Sky Sports Football will show it live.
There is a familiar face in the dugout. Assistant Ben Garner returns to a club he once managed, with Eckert still waiting to learn whether he can take his own place on the touchline.
Transfer news
Fulham have joined the Shea Charles chase. The Cottagers had a £24m offer turned down, with Southampton holding out for north of £30m.
Leeds are still in it too. Daniel Farke's side have lodged what reporting calls a final offer, again short of the Saints' asking price.
Southampton feel no urge to move. Charles has a deal that runs into 2027. There is also a club option for a further year.
The midfielder rated 7.16 in the Championship last term, per his FotMob profile. His preference is said to sit with Leeds, though the Saints look content to let the bidding decide.
Southampton already have a replacement in mind, but Middlesbrough have now joined the race for Crystal Palace's Justin Devenny, a name long on the Saints' radar.
Saints see the 22-year-old as cover should Charles go. Boro are ready to push to around £7m for him, and Leicester City are in the mix too.
Saints Marching opinion
The Charles standoff is the story worth tracking. Three clubs want him, and Southampton have named a price none has matched.
Saints Marching cast the board as right to make suitors sweat over one £30m tag. Fulham, Leeds and interest from Crystal Palace have all pressed, yet none has got close enough.
There is sense in holding firm. Selling one of your key defensive midfielders cheaply in a promotion year helps nobody. The contract also hands the club the stronger hand.
Fulham's arrival changes the picture. Analysis of Fulham's bold bid framed the London side as a serious rival to Leeds, who had looked like the front runner.
The player's head may be elsewhere. A look at his stated preference points towards Leeds, but a smart seller lets the rival offers climb first.
For now, the Saints can sit tight. A minus-four-point start makes every sale important. If Charles leaves, it should be at the club's valuation only.
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