Southampton have confirmed a 29-strong squad for their pre-season tour of Germany, and Shea Charles is on it despite a summer of interest in the midfielder. The group flew to North Rhine-Westphalia on Friday for eight nights of work under Tonda Eckert, who grew up in the region.
Two friendlies await the squad. Eintracht Braunschweig of the 2.Bundesliga come first on Friday evening, before a meeting with SC Preüßen Münster on Saturday, August 1st.
The name that stands out
Charles is the reason this squad list reads like a quiet statement of intent. Leeds United have had bids turned down this summer, the most recent worth close to £23 million with add-ons, and Southampton have held out for more than £25 million. Fulham have also circled around the midfielder without meeting the asking price.
That valuation stayed firm when his preferred next step began to take shape earlier in the window. He has a year left on his deal beyond this summer, so cashing in at full value now would suit the club far better than losing him cheaply later or for nothing at all.
Taking him to Germany and keeping him sharp fits that thinking. A player still in the plans is one the club can sell on its own terms, or keep and build around.
Who stayed behind
Three names are missing from the trip. Caspar Jander, Finn Azaz and Sam Edozie all remained at Staplewood with minor knocks. Jander limped out of last Saturday's friendly at Eastleigh, while Azaz sat that one out, managing a shin problem.
The news reads better elsewhere. Daniel Peretz is back after a wrist issue kept him out of the 3-1 win at the Silverlake Stadium. He is one of four goalkeepers who made the trip, and only days ago he was flagged as a doubt alongside others. Yukinari Sugawara has rejoined the group after extended leave following the World Cup. Cyle Larin, a hero for Canada this summer, will link up once the camp ends.
One for the future makes the cut
Joe O'Brien-Whitmarsh has made the trip too, and his place hints at how Eckert rates the club's younger options. The 20 year old arrived from Cork City in early 2024 and has grown into a two-footed attacking midfielder with an eye for the spectacular, enough that one piece compared him to a former academy great.
A winter loan at Accrington Stanley last season brought three goals in thirteen appearances, and a run-out in the FA Cup against Leicester handed him a first taste of senior football. Eight days around the first team in Germany give him a window to push for regular minutes this season.
For now the point is simple. The player everyone wants to talk about is on the plane to Germany, and Southampton look content to let his price, rather than the noise, dictate the outcome.
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