Tom Cleverley-led Plymouth Argyle has emerged as the backstage favourite to land Saints prodigy Dom Ballard, with the manager having scouted him while in attendance for his U21s Final.
Accept it or not, all of us Saints fans currently battle an inner turmoil of what if a Preseason repeat happens in the new season. Already on a downturn of a draw, after consecutive wins, Will Still's Saints shall perfectly replicate their form if they lose to the table toppers, Stoke, next.
Needless to say, a tough challenge awaits the new boss, who now has the eyes of the whole St. Mary's on him.
Well, but irrespective of whether Still passes through the test or succumbs to it, hardly any fan will question his appointment anytime soon. And that's apart from the manager's progress report, for how they dodged a bullet on Tom Cleverley as a boss.
Intriguingly, while the ex-Red Devils star did not make the cut for the lead Saints role, Cleverley is adamant about proving his previous Saints U21S final attendance was worth it.
Cleverley sets sights on finalising Saints prodigy Dom Ballard
That's because, despite having followed the game from the stands to present his managerial candidature, Cleverley ended up scouting prodigy Dom Ballard. Fast forward to now, the Daily Echo reports that the boss is firm to materialise his interest as he considers signing Ballard up for Plymouth Argyle.
Honestly, should this turn true, a Plymouth move can mean the world to Ballard, who's been vying for first-team opportunities. But intriguingly, it could do Southampton the world of bad.
That's for fair reasons, as even though ineffective away, Ballard's St. Mary's numbers feel too good to let him leave. And having lost Amo-Ameyaw to Dibling's rise last season, Southampton can't afford to repeat the same mistake of departing an attack starlet in Ballard amidst Jay Robinson's emergence.
Yet, the Saints' fate has in it written of parting ways with Ballard, that too possibly for free. Still, the hope remains that Southampton receives a paycheck from Plymouth, that can act as some compensation in their situation.