Southampton fans will be glad to hear about this surprise transfer development

Southampton have done well this summer when it comes to keeping tabs on their star assets.

Of course, they've had to concede defeat with Taylor Harwood-Bellis, as he was pictured at Villa Park on Monday taking in his new Aston Villa teammates, but the Saints have managed to keep a firm grip on the likes of Caspar Jander, Finn Azaz, and Leo Scienza, despite interest in all their services this summer.

Both Azaz and Scienza ran Millwall ragged during the Saints' last victory in the Championship against Millwall, as Tonda Eckert's men emphatically put the Lions to sword in a 5-1 win.

The hope will be that the Brazilian, the ex-Middlesbrough playmaker, and - not to forget - Cyle Larin can continue to power home the goals to help the South Coast side soar up the division, with Eckert and Co. now out the other side of their four point penalty with that convincing win against Alex Neil's perplexed visitors.

Middlesbrough will be one of Southampton's main promotion adversaries this season, with Kim Hellberg's side desperate to finish above their Spygate foes come the end of the long 46-game campaign.

They could have to gun for promotion without one of their main players, however, as he looks set to depart Teesside at the final hour of deadline day...

The shocking deadline day move at Boro

Deadline day does have the tendency to drop an out of the blue transfer development from nowhere.

That has certainly taken place at the Riverside today, with reports suggesting that MLS outfit Colorado Rapids have agreed a deal for Boro attacker Morgan Whittaker for a club-record amount.

Away from the likes of well-known journalists Alex Crook and Ben Jacobs breaking the news, it has also been confirmed by the reporters more local to the Teesside giants as well.

Indeed, Dominic Shaw - who writes for the Northern Echo - has stated that one-time Bolton Wanderers loanee Amario Cozier-Dubery is a target Hellberg and Co. have in mind if Whittaker uproots to Colorado.

The Brighton and Hove Albion winger was much-loved at Bolton last season for his tricky displays, as he collected nine goals and ten assists from 36 appearances, so he could be a dream replacement if everything can be arranged promptly.

Away from Boro trying to work out a successor, Saints will be thrilled by the prospect of Whittaker moving on, as he has regularly been a thorn in their side.

Southampton will be glad to see the back of him

Indeed, last season, Whittaker would stick the knife in when Eckert was deep in his managerial infancy.

The German was still only taking baby steps in the dug-out when the ex-Plymouth Argyle attacker powered home two goals for Hellberg's rampant side in a comprehensive 4-0 win.

This was back in January, before Eckert had fully got the best out of his troops, but the slick 25-year-old didn't care one jot, as he was ruthless in front of goal.

Whittaker also picked up an assist against the South Coast titans when he was on the books of Argyle back in 2023, but this time around, it was a 2-1 win for the Saints in Devon, with Russell Martin in charge.

He is yet to get off the mark this campaign, though, and with Hellberg coming to terms with Hayden Hackney's exit pretty comfortably, the passionate Swede should be able to deal with another disappointing exit, if it occurs.

For Southampton's sake, though, they'll hope this dents their confidence in the promotion race, as while Whittaker has left, they've managed to smugly keep their mits on Azaz and Scienza in attack, even if they'd have to cave in on the sale of Harwood-Bellis.

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