Will Smallbone’s next move after Southampton, Leicester option floated | OneFootball

Will Smallbone is seeking a permanent club after Southampton released him, ending a journey that began in 2008 and took him from academy to first team.

According to Sainstmarching.com, there are no concrete rumours, though Leicester City under former Saints boss Russell Martin has been floated as a plausible next step.

With Danny Ings and Alex McCarthy set to reunite with Martin at Leicester, the Foxes could look at another ex-Saint, potentially in League One. Smallbone, 26, would prefer to stay in the Championship, with 17 contributions at that level.

After only 10 outings on loan at Millwall last season, a drop might help him reset among familiar faces. Leicester may soon lose Harry Winks in midfield, and a £0 deal for Smallbone would be tempting.

His best Southampton spell came under Martin. He produced seven goals and four assists in 54 games in 2023/24 as Saints won promotion, scoring in the play-off semi-final against West Bromwich Albion.

If he overcomes recent injuries, he could aid Leicester’s push for promotion back to the Championship. Martin has called him a "brilliant player and an even better character", qualities that would appeal at the King Power after back-to-back relegations.

Source: Sainstmarching.com