"I did hear whispers" - Claim made as £15k-a-week ace set for Southampton FC exit | OneFootball

FLW's Southampton Fan Pundit Martin says he expected a lot more of Samuel Edozie, with the winger set for a move away from the club.

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...

Southampton winger Samuel Edozie is close to completing a move to Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg, with the two clubs in advanced discussions over his transfer away from the south coast.

The 22-year-old wideman is poised to become the next high-profile Saints departure, with the likes of Kyle Walker-Peters, Jan Bednarek and Kamaldeen Sulemana all leaving the club this summer.

Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri reported that Edozie is close to joining Strasbourg, with the potential fee for his services being unclear at this moment in time.

Football League World's Southampton Fan Pundit Martin expresses his surprise to see the youngster leave, however, admits that Saints fans have not quite witnessed what was expected of Edozie following his move from Manchester City.

Claim made with Edozie set for departure

"I am quite surprised that we are letting him go with the lack of wingers we have," said Martin when asked whether Saints could regret the decision to let Edozie leave.

"But, I did hear whispers a few weeks ago that he may want to move on. He was loaned out last season and deemed not good enough, and maybe he felt it was the right time to get out. He has not really set the world alight since he arrived at the club."

Edozie, whose estimated £15,000-weekly contract still has two years to run, has endured a mixed spell with Southampton overall, as the talented winger displayed encouraging signs in the Saints' 2023/24 promotion-winning campaign via the play-offs by returning six goals and three assists from 34 league appearances but, either side of that season, was rarely trusted to make an impact at top-flight level and, it must be said, struggled to when afforded the opportunity.

His time with Anderlecht last term was rather mixed, too, with Edozie contributing four goals and four assists in 32 outings for the Belgian giants.

"I expected a lot more from him, given the hype around him when he arrived," said Martin. "He flopped in the Premier League. Had a really good first half of the year in the Championship when we got promoted, and then got injured against Norwich on New Year's Day, and we never really saw the same player again."

Martin concluded: "It's just important now that we bring in a body to replace him."

Saints have not seen Edozie's full potential as Strasbourg switch nears

As Edozie edges ever closer to completing a permanent exit from the club, the point can be made that the Saints have not seen the full potential of the youngster, who, at the time of his arrival, was one of the most promising young wingers in the country.

It has not quite gone to plan since, and Saints supporters will wonder what sort of impact he could have made under Will Still in the Championship this term, fresh off the back of a full season in Belgium.

Strasbourg could gain massively, though, if Edozie is to fulfil his potential. His time in France will be interesting to follow, with Strasbourg being a good destination for developing young players in recent times.

Edozie will be playing European football under a renowned developer of talent in Liam Rosenior, who did a fantastic job with Ipswich's Jaden Philogene during his time at Hull City in the 2023/24 campaign.