Southampton's transfer business has slowed down in recent weeks.
Indeed, ever since they snapped up Cyle Larin and Daniel Peretz on permanent deals, and welcomed George Long back to St. Mary's, there hasn't been much to jump for joy about when it comes to incoming moves.
The summer transfer window oftens feels never-ending, though, so there's no rush to speed up more transfers, arguably, but there will be a deflated feeling among the Saints masses right now, as they're resigned to Shea Charles leaving.
On top of that, they are now out of the running for one Charles replacement, as Alfie Devine has returned to Preston North End, instead of relocating down South.
Southampton's failed pursuit of Devine
Tonda Eckert and Co. had been named as one keen onlooker wanting to snap up the services of the Tottenham Hotspur youngster.
Pursuing Devine made sense, too, as he knows what it takes to be a success in the second tier, having just come off an eight goal season in the Championship with Preston. In terms of nailing down a EFL-ready Charles replacement, landing the Warrington-born ace felt perfect.
Unfortunately, the Saints have missed out on the 21-year-old's signature at the final hurdle, as Paul Heckingbottom's men decided to fork out a whopping £6m to land Devine, which is very unlike the usually tight and stringent Lilywhites.
Southampton could move towards another target in the middle of the park, as Justin Devenny from Crystal Palace remains on their radar.
Moving away from their ongoing hunt for fresh bodies centrally, though, and another failed transfer pursuit has hit them hard in the attacking ranks...
It's not just Devine they've missed out on
Reports indicate that Chelsea youngster Jesse Derry will be jetting off to Sporting on a season-long deal very shortly, instead of moving to the South Coast in his native England.
The 19-year-old had been tentatively tipped to join Eckert's ranks, having previously scored a blistering 33 goals plying his trade in the youth set-ups at both Chelsea and Crystal Palace.
But, this is another move that can be jotted down as a non-success, with Derry fancying the challenge of Liga Portugal, over impressing in the Championship.
He would've been a welcome addition, too, like Devine, as he would've handed Eckert another daring, direct option on the left channel, away from over-relying on Leo Scienza to conjure up a moment of brilliance.
Southampton's confidence in the transfer department must be somewhat dented right now, but they have been reported to be looking at Lewis Dobbin, too, who was a teammate of Devine's at Preston last season, as they go after more attacking reinforcements, away from being beaten up about Derry.
They will dust themselves down and go after more alternatives if Devenny also decides he doesn't fancy an adventure on the South Coast, with Southampton remaining an attractive club to join, irrespective of their Spygate troubles.
Larin and Peretz coming back for good proves that, so there's no need to sound the panic button right now, even as the Saints' transfer business remains slightly inactive.
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