Southampton transfer state of play: Adam Armstrong, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, James Bree | OneFootball

The latest surrounding the transfer ins and outs at Southampton heading into the final week of the window

We're into the final week of the January transfer window, and for Southampton, it's been a rather quiet one.

There were several new arrivals at Southampton in the summer, and therefore, there has been a focus on trimming the squad down somewhat at St Mary's this month as players go searching for increased playing time, with Ryan Fraser, Ronnie Edwards, and Damion Downs all departing, the former two on permanent deals.

Then, the only addition thus far has been shot-stopper Daniel Peretz, which in turn opened the door for out-of-favour Gavin Bazunu to leave for fellow Championship side Stoke City.

Tonda Eckert has stressed earlier in the window that the club "won't take any desperate decisions," and that he is "sure we will make something happen" in the market. But as it stands, there aren't many concrete rumours linking Southampton to new players as we enter the final days of the window.

However, that doesn't mean players aren't linked with moves away from St Mary's, and a loan player's return may act as enough in terms of incomings. With that being said, here's the state of play at Southampton in the final week of the January transfer window.

Wrexham want Adam Armstrong

Wrexham have got their taste of what life is like in the Championship play-offs following their dramatic win at QPR last Saturday, and they're doing their best to ensure that they remain in the top six for the remainder of the campaign by targeting Adam Armstrong.

Alan Nixon has reported that Armstrong, who is currently joint-second in the Championship Golden Boot race this season with 11 goals, is on Wrexham's radar, and Southampton are said to want £15 million for the 28-year-old.

Armstrong has been one of the most prolific second-tier goalscorers in the past half-decade, scoring 28 times at Blackburn Rovers in the 2020/21 campaign, which earned him the move to the south coast, and then netted 21 with the Saints two seasons ago.

The Red Dragons have also been linked with 19-year-old Sidiki Cherif, who has had a breakout year in France with Angers, but a move for Southampton's talisman would provide a more reliable striking option in the second half of the campaign.

While slimming down the squad for the second half of the season may be something Southampton want to do, losing Adam Armstrong in the process wouldn't be ideal, and neither would losing Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

According to FourFourTwo, though, the one-time England international is interested in a move back to Burnley, where he spent the 2022/23 campaign on loan, either this January or in the summer.

The 23-year-old signed for the Saints for £20 million from Manchester City back in May 2024, after the clause in his loan deal was triggered upon Southampton's promotion to the Premier League.

He made 34 Premier League appearances last season and has been a regular feature in the Southampton side under both Will Still and Tonda Eckert upon their return to the Championship this season, scoring four times in 24 second-tier starts.

The report states that Tonda Eckert's side is prepared to reject any offers that come their way from the Clarets, but if this poor campaign continues from a Saints perspective, they could be forced to cash in sooner rather than later.

James Bree's state of play after Charlton Athletic loan ends

One new addition to the side this January has been James Bree, who returned to St Mary's following the conclusion of his short-term loan spell at Charlton Athletic, where he played under his former manager at Luton Town, Nathan Jones.

The 28-year-old was unwanted by Will Still, but has since made his first bow of the season for Southampton in Sunday's south coast derby against Portsmouth, with new manager Tonda Eckert reportedly liking his versatility.

Addicks manager Nathan Jones stated that he didn't want to lose Bree, but after playing the full game against Portsmouth and then doing media duties following the game, it could indicate that the right-back is set to stay for the rest of the campaign.

"I'm not sure. If I'm here, and they want to keep me, then I'm here, and I want to play. If not, then we'll just see. It's all been up in the air, so we'll see," Bree said post-match when questioned about where his future lies.

One thing is certain: given he's now played for Southampton, he can only be loaned back out to the Valley if his future does lie away from St Mary's, given the EFL's registration rules.

But Bree's destination in the next week will be one that'll have a close eye kept on, as will the futures of some of Southampton's top stars, if the Saints decide to cash in on them late on in the window.