CJ Egan-Riley transfer stance revealed as Ipswich Town & Southampton circle | OneFootball

Southampton and Ipswich Town are both set to compete for the signature of CJ Egan-Riley

Southampton will be hoping to join Ipswich Town and Coventry City in earning promotion to the Premier League this season.

The Saints will face Middlesbrough this evening in the second leg of their play-off semi-final clash, with the score 0-0 from the meeting at the Riverside.

Tonda Eckert’s side are seeking an immediate return to the top flight after suffering relegation 12 months ago with a 20th place finish.

The winner of Tuesday night’s play-off clash will face Hull City at Wembley Stadium for a place in the first division.

But Southampton will have one eye on the summer transfer window already, regardless of where they’ll be competing next year.

Ipswich will certainly be working on potential business this summer after they sealed second in the table on the final day of the regular campaign.

Southampton and Ipswich Town eye Marseille defender

It has been reported by French outlet Foot Sur 7 that Southampton and Ipswich are both keen on a deal for CJ Egan-Riley this summer.

Marseille are believed to be open to a sale for the centre-back, who joined the club last summer from Burnley following their promotion to the Premier League.

The 23-year-old was a key figure as Scott Parker’s side conceded just 16 times on their way to the top flight.

Egan-Riley played 41 times in the Championship last year, but has only made 11 appearances in Ligue 1 this term, with the team competing for qualification to European competition.

It’s understood that Southampton see the arrival of Egan-Riley as a potential low cost deal that can bolster their backline over the summer.

Egan-Riley has played just twice since the appointment of Habib Beye as manager in February, with the former Burnley player falling down the pecking order.

This could open the door for Ipswich or the Saints to secure his signature, even with his contract running until June 2029.

The Tractor Boys will be hoping to build a team capable of surviving in the Premier League beyond one year, with the team finishing just one point clear of third place Millwall to earn promotion.

Meanwhile, Southampton finished fourth in the table, four points adrift of the Suffolk outfit after a resurgent second half of the season.

It remains to be seen what Egan-Riley’s preference will be this summer, with the opportunity to return to English football now on the cards.

CJ Egan-Riley can provide solid defensive depth

Egan-Riley joined Marseille as a free agent last summer, so it would make sense that they won’t be commanding too big of a fee to sell him this year.

That presents an opportunity to clubs like Southampton and Ipswich, especially as he will surely want to leave and seek regular game time elsewhere.

He showed last season that he can be a valuable member of an impressive backline, and he could offer some solid defensive competition in either McKenna or Eckert’s sides.

Ipswich have the natural advantage at the moment in the race to his signature, you would imagine, as they have secured their place in the Premier League, but Southampton could be the more natural fit if they can win the play-offs.