Fresh concern raised over James Bree’s Charlton Athletic future amid shifting Southampton situation | OneFootball

FLW's Addicks expert has identified the stumbling blocks for a permanent Bree deal

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

James Bree’s return to the Championship has been one of the early-season stories that simply refuses to flatten out.

What initally looked like a smart, low risk loan has turned into one of the most quietly influential temporary details of the campaign.

Sent to Charlton Athletic on a short-term loan from Southampton, the right-back has not only rediscovered his best football under Nathan Jones - he’s become one of the division’s most productive defenders.

Two goals, three assists, and consistently impressive stats as one of the league’s most creative defenders have helped push the Addicks into play-off contention after promotion from League One.

His confidence, set piece delivery and defensive stability have made him one of the first names on Jones' team sheet, while the numbers he is posting place him comfortably among the Championship's standout fullbacks.

For Charlton supporters, the natural question has emerged: can they keep him? More importantly, perhaps, is it even realistic to think Southampton will allow one of their most in-form assets to leave permanently mid-season?

The wider context has only added fuel to the uncertainty. Southampton's struggles, a recent new managerial appointment and mixed reviews on their summer right-back recruits have all made Bree's situation much more complex than a standard loan success story.

Charlton Athletics’s pursuit of James Bree faces growing Southampton concerns

Charlton's hope is obvious - that the Saints opt for a reset, free up wages, and allow Bree to continue flourishing under Jones. But the flip side is just as plausible - that new Southampton manager Tonda Eckert could look at Bree's form and decide he is exactly the type of player they need back at St Mary's.

With that backdrop in mind, Football League World spoke to in-house Charlton fan pundit Chris Woodward to get a clearer sense of the landscape. Should Bree be a priority signing? What would the fee look like?

And crucially, will Southampton’s changing direction complicate Charlton’s hopes of a permanent deal?

“Whilst I do think we will remain heavily interested in getting James Bree in January. I think if the deal was to materialise, I think it'd be at the very end of the window when Southampton would be most honourable to let him go,” Woodward told FLW.

“Where he could possibly get him for cheaper rather than when the window immediately opens where they may demand more than what we may be willing to pay.

“There's just so many variables to consider, which makes this a very complicated deal to predict an outcome.

“If Southampton decide they need a fresh start at the club, given the poor environment and the fan unrest, they may not want to keep players like James Bree, who have been around the club during this period.

“Alternatively, a new manager may want his own players, in which case, Southampton may view it as they save around £15K a week for six months, which is roughly £300,000, £400,000 pounds on wages alone.

“And therefore, I think they may only want a small fee, which I would guess would be around £500,000 to a million pounds.

“They get money for a player who leaves who would leave for nothing in the summer, we get a great player and it's a win-win for both clubs.”

On the South Coast, however, there were rumblings that troubled Woodward.

“However, I'm aware that Southampton fans aren't happy with their new sign in Roerslev based on his performances and their other option at right back, Jelert has struggled with injuries and may not take up his loan deal permanently.

“Which means there is definitely a place for James Bree in that current Southampton side if we're just basing it off individual performances this season.

“It could also be that the new Southampton manager wants to give Bree a chance to earn a new contract, in which case you were never going to be able to match Southampton financially, which would rule him out completely.

“There has also been rumours floating around the club that we've already, we already have or we're still heavily interested in bringing a right-wing back from Japan on a pre-contract when their league finishes in December, which, whilst I don't think this would put us off Bree completely, it may mean we won't be as desperate to throw the chequebook at him.

“Ultimately, I'm slightly concerned that Bree on a permanent is getting more and more unlikely by the week, and with a new manager at Southampton, who could very well want him back, and financially, the ball being in Southampton's court, it's just us playing the waiting game and hoping the opportunity arises to signing permanently.”

James Bree’s future out of Charlton’s hands - eyes turn to Southampton’s reshuffle

Bree’s form leaves Charlton in a familiar but delicate position: desperate to hold onto a player who has elevated the team, yet painfully aware that his parent club may soon wake up to what they already own.

Southampton’s defensive issues, the underwhelming starts of Jelert and Roerslev, and the confirmation of a new manager all tilt the scales unpredictably.

The situation could hinge on anything from wage savings to squad resets to managerial preference - or simply whether the Saints feel they can extract value before his contract expires.

The calculation is far more straightforward for the Addicks. Bree fits Jones’ system and raises the ceiling of the side. A permanent transfer would be a coup - not only in footballing terms, but as a statement of intent for a club looking to consolidate it's return to the second tier.

But with the decision ultimately sitting in Southampton’s hands, Charlton's control over the situation is limited. All they can do is continue winning games, maintain dialogue and hope that the January window offers opportunity rather than obstruction.