Fresh Adam Armstrong exit claims made ahead of Southampton's EFL return | OneFootball

The forward struggled with the jump up to the Premier League following an immaculate season in the Championship.

Southampton are open to selling striker Adam Armstrong this summer.

The last time Southampton were in the Championship, they were the biggest sellers of any team in the division. That same season, Armstrong led the team in scoring and helped them win promotion back to the Premier League.

On the transfer front, it's going to be a similar story. Dragan Solak, the club's chairman and owner, is hoping to get £100 million from the sales of his top English talents: Tyler Dibling, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Aaron Ramsdale. The Saints will not earn any money from the departure of Kyle Walker-Peters, who officially left St Mary's as a free agent.

For Armstrong, there's likely to be a change of scenery. He wasn't able to make the step-up to the Premier League, like the rest of his teammates, and he was eventually sent out on loan to West Bromwich Albion in the January transfer window. Like in the winter, Southampton are looking to offload the 28-year-old forward.

Southampton open to Adam Armstrong sale

Speaking on BBC Radio Solent, Alfie House revealed that the Saints are willing to let Armstrong leave the club permanently this summer. He still has two years left on his deal with the club.

"I think his time at Southampton is probably coming to a natural conclusion," said House. "The club are open to selling him."

An exit for the Englishman will be one of a number of expected departures in forward areas. Paul Onuachu, Southampton's top scorer from last season, is set to leave the south coast and head back to Turkey. Super Lig side Trabzonspor have agreed an €8 million (£6.8 million) deal for the six-foot-seven talisman, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Kamaldeen Sulemana is edging closer to reuniting with former Saints boss Ivan Juric, who is now in charge of Italian side Atalanta. Romano has also reported that the Italian side have submitted a new £14.5 million offer for the winger.

Adam Armstrong departure would be the best move for Southampton

New management, as Southampton have in Will Still, can often bring about new opportunities for players that haven't found form under the previous regime. For the attacking trio, but particularly Armstrong, it does feel like he has got to the end of the road with his St Mary's journey.

Had he gone to West Brom last season and restated his position as one of the premier forwards in the second tier, then maybe Southampton would be less hesitant about selling him. He didn't, so there's less reason for them to hold onto him.