Southampton might have lucked out with both Cyle Larin and Daniel Peretz staying put this summer, but it looks increasingly likely that Shea Charles will walk away from the South Coast club at some point this off-season.
Indeed, the club in the driver's seat now for the in-demand 22-year-old's signature is Leeds United, with talks ongoing about a move for Charles to return to Yorkshire, having previously called Sheffield Wednesday home for one campaign.
It would be a stinging blow to the Saints' confidence if they were to lose the one-time Manchester City academy prodcut, having bravely kept a hold on the likes of Larin and Peretz.
But, this exit could open up more first-team opportunities for Cameron Bragg, with the promising holding midfielder operating very much in the shadow of Charles last campaign.
Bragg's promising performances
Alongside having Bragg at his disposal as a midfield anchor, Tonda Eckert further possesses Caspar Jander and Flynn Downes that he can fall back on in this area of the pitch, if Charles does up and leave for Elland Road.
There is Bragg as well, lurking in the background, with the 21-year-old just fresh off a 17-game season for the Saints last campaign in the Championship.
Charles would help himself to a weightier 33 appearances, but if he is no longer around, the German will be tempted to throw the Scotland U21 international into more contests, hoping he swims, instead of sinking.
It had been a long time coming for the homegrown midfielder to gain some senior opportunities, having collected a sublime 21 assists in the U21 picture previously.
He will see last season as just the start of his senior journey on the South Coast, with lots more to come from Bragg at St. Mary's, who can come into his own even more if Charles goes.
He could come into his own if Charles leaves
The Southampton number 48 operates in very much the same way the Elland Road-linked sensation does, with Bragg a silky passer of the ball, evidenced in his 21 assists for the U21s.
Additionally, he would average a fine 92% pass accuracy per league game he was thrown into, with the assists potentially flowing next season in the men's set-up, if more first-team matches are forthcoming.
Winning a combined five tackles and duels on the final day of the regular league campaign against Preston North End, as well, the future looks very bright for Bragg on the South Coast, as it's clear he has a mean streak in him, like his Premier League destined teammate.
But, with Charles a £20m-calibre talent, he had his development somewhat stunted by the emergence of the Northern Ireland international.
Remove him from the equation, which will be heartbreaking for the Saints to stomach, and the 21-year-old could finally solidify himself as a first-team regular, 13 years on from first joining the youth set-up at his boyhood employers.
Southampton will likely explore what options are available to them in the market this summer to fill the void left behind by Charles, with Hibernian's Josh Mulligan alleged to be on their radar.
Yet, the bank might not need to be broken when searching for a replacement, as Bragg sticks out as an in-house substitute who could well thrive if given the time to blossom.
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