This Southampton star could have to be sold if promotion isn’t reached

Southampton's automatic promotion dreams are now over.

They did look slim heading into their Championship clash with automatic promotion rivals Ipswich Town, so it was a far-fetched end to the season, but they are now officially dead, as the Tractor Boys clinched a late 2-2 draw.

The Suffolk visitors will head into the final day of the season with their dreams still intact, but for Southampton, it's all about the playoffs, after they heartbreakingly let their 2-1 lead slip in the 87th minute.

Southampton's automatic promotion dreams are over

To be in this position, with two games left of the regular second tier season, is enough to know how remarkable of a rise Southampton have been on.

Still, even though it's commendable that they showed so much fight to get here, it will sting to slip at the final hurdle, especially as the St Mary's noise was so deafening after Cyle Larin handed Tonda Eckert's hosts an invaluable 2-1 lead, in the final ten minutes of the back-and-forth affair.

On another night, Southampton would have resiliently clinched a slim win, to then have an unbelievable chance of automatic promotion glory being sealed at Preston North End.

Football can be cruel, though, and it would be Jack Clarke who would smash home the leveller, to send the Ipswich away masses into their own momentary delirium.

With Southampton amassing 17 total shots, next to the away side's 18, a draw was likely the fairest result, but it was ultimately of no use to either team, with Ipswich winning pretty much sealing their passage to the Premier League.

Eckert will hope his side can keep ticking away, heading into the lottery of the playoffs, with a real concern that they'll have to give up this exciting midfield star if promotion also evades them via this challenging route.

Southampton could have to sell if promotion isn't hit

Southampton would face an almighty battle in the summer keeping a firm grip on their star talents, if they remain in the second-tier for another season.

Indeed, Leo Scienza is already being talked up as a target for various Premier League sides, with the trickster surely keen to push on, after scoring seven goals and assisting a further ten during a ridiculous debut Championship campaign.

Finn Azaz would also fancy his chances of a top-flight switch, having had a taste for scoring exceptional goals against the likes of Manchester City.

Alongside those named, Southampton would further have a tricky fight on their hands attempting to keep Caspar Jander grounded at St. Mary's, with Stuttgart in the Bundesliga allegedly interested in the breakout German, after he also put in a stunning performance against Pep Guardiola's giants.

Worth around the £21.6m mark, according to reports, the Saints would be silly not to cash in if they remained in the Championship, with Jander impressing again versus Kieran McKenna's challengers, when winning a lively 11 duels and tackles.

All this summer transfer discussion is ultimately premature, as a heated tussle in the playoffs for Southampton is still on the cards.

That is the priority right now to focus on, with Premier League football on the menu next season, surely enough to convince the German to stay put on the South Coast, instead of seeking out home comforts.

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