While rumours continue to swirl in the air regarding the futures of Leo Scienza and Shea Charles at Southampton, it has gone slightly quiet on the Finn Azaz front.
Indeed, the Irishman - who opted against playing for the Republic of Ireland recently - was named as being on the shopping lists of both Leeds United and Brighton and Hove Albion earlier this month.
Yet, unlike Charles, who is now being tipped to move to Manchester United, and Scienza continuing to be the talk of the town, the one-time Middlesbrough playmaker isn't being incessantly linked to clubs by the day.
You would anticipate that he will have plenty of admirers now we hit June and the transfer window swings back open, as he was a joy to watch last season, when the Saints were at full throttle.
Azaz's standout season with Southampton
It's an almighty shame that Azaz couldn't lead Tonda Eckert's men into the Premier League, off the back of such a superb individual season.
Ultimately, though, the Spygate scandal stopped everyone in their tracks, but that doesn't mean the 25-year-old's sensational goal and assist output should be forgotten about.
In all competitions, Azaz would notch up a weighty 21 goals and assists from 49 appearances, which included a screamer silencing Manchester City fans momentarily during the FA Cup semi final at Wembley.
He didn't have the opportunity to score another memorable strike at Wembley in the playoff final, unfortunately, but with 11 goals and eight assists in regular Championship action, a Premier League outfit will surely be ready to gamble on Azaz, to give him the route he deserves into the top-flight.
Replacing Azaz, if he were to up and leave, will be a very tough task, but the Saints could have a homegrown version of the skilful Irishman up their sleeve already, in this very promising youngster.
Southampton could have a new Azaz up their sleeve
Capable of playing as a number ten, a winger, or as a traditional central midfielder, Azaz really was a player last season that Eckert knew he could depend on.
In the U21 ranks, Adam Lallana must feel the same way about Romeo Akachukwu, with the 19-year-old - who also has Irish allegiances like Azaz - a similarly versatile performer.
Indeed, just last season in Premier League 2 action, Akachukwu would line up as a midfielder, a winger, and even a striker.
Originally on the books of Waterford FC in his native Ireland, five goals from 35 senior appearances for the County Waterford-based club would pique the interest of the Saints into snapping up the raw, but exciting starlet.
He has impressed in U21 circles at Southampton since, with 11 goals and seven assists coming his way from 50 overall appearances.
GOAL, Romeo Akachukwu puts #SaintsFC U21s ahead. ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/M2acHIyGTK
— Just Saints (@JustSaints_) January 24, 2025
Eight of those goals and assists would come about last campaign in Premier League 2 action for Lallana's youthful team, from only 11 appearances, with Akachukwu a machine laser-focused on collecting goals and assists when performing at his very best, much like Azaz.
He did struggle out on loan last season with Colchester United, with a loan stint during the second half of the campaign in League Two only seeing him collect a measly assist for his troubles, from 15 outings.
Obviously, nobody would be anticipating that Akachukwu would instantly come into the first team picture and be as exciting and as daring as Azaz in his Championship prime.
But, in time, the Saints could have their next version of their silky number ten just bubbling away, with a hope he can be fast-tracked into the senior squad sooner rather than later, if Azaz does desert the South Coast this summer.
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