Despite all the rampant interest in his services this summer, Shea Charles is still on the Southampton roster as we head closer to the new Championship season kicking off.
Indeed, the in-demand Northern Irishman even featured last time out in pre-season against Eintracht Braunschweig, with Daily Echo journalist Alfie House reporting that he showed off "his class" during the latter exchanges of the 1-0 win.
At the moment, he remains on Tonda Eckert's books, but the frantic speed of the transfer window means Southampton will continue hanging on for dear life, with the transfer saga surely not over just yet, as the window doesn't slam shut until September.
The latest on Charles leaving
The latest update involving Charles seems to be that Leeds United are no longer as keen on landing the one-time Manchester City academy starlet as they once were.
Indeed, Leeds-based journalist Isaac Johnson has reported that the Whites have submitted an improved offer to Charles to try and finally get a move over the line, but this will be their last attempt at winning the coveted midfielder.
That bid could well be around the £25m mark, with that the amount Southampton have allegedly notified Fulham to bid if they want to stand a better chance at landing the 22-year-old.
The Cottagers have already had a bid rejected, so no doubt both Alvaro Arbeloa's men, and Daniel Farke's outfit are becoming restless in their advances for the hard to obtain number 24.
Clearly, the Saints will be content to keep Charles around, if no suitor coughs up the amount of cash they desire, with Eckert noting, after the slim 1-0 victory in Germany, that "I'm happy to have him around at the very moment."
Their resolve will be tested if a big bid is made, but there shouldn't be a mass panic if he was eventually sold to the highest bidder, as an in-house Charles successor shone brightly against Braunschweig.
The impressive pre-season star who can replace him
At this stage, the South Coast giants are well-versed in knowing what to do when a star player departs.
Indeed, the blow of Adam Armstrong leaving mid-way through last season to Wolverhampton Wanderers was hardly felt, as the smart loan pick-up of Cyle Larin was then agreed to bolster up top.
The Saints might not need to delve into the market to replace Charles, with Cameron Bragg looking more ready by the day to be a dependable first-team performer in the middle of the park.
He was used here and there last campaign and very rarely let the team down, so if there was a void to be filled, he would happily step into the limelight, as he was one of Southampton's best performers against their 2. Bundesliga opponents on Friday evening.
Noted as "being everywhere" as per Saints-focused writer Christian Lovegrove, this ability to be so calm on the ball under pressure, yet so fierce to get stuck into tackles and duels, makes him an ideal successor to the Northern Irishman's throne.
Further labelled as being "tidy" by the aforementioned House, with a sublime 8/10 post-match score handed to him, Bragg is banging down Eckert's door for more first team action when Championship action resumes.
It would be painful to lose Charles, who is likely to only get better in a Premier League environment.
But, it isn't a sale that needs to be worried over majorly, with Bragg ready to step into the first team picture, alongside the likes of Flynn Downes being another steady head centrally.
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