Exclusive: Southampton put £8m price-tag on Will Still outcast | OneFootball

Southampton have set out a sizeable £8m asking price for Will Smallbone, Football League World has learned

Southampton are intent on offloading Will Smallbone before the conclusion of this summer's transfer window and are demanding £8 million for the midfielder's services, sources have exclusively revealed to Football League World on Wednesday morning.

The Saints have sanctioned a number of high-profile departures after suffering relegation from the Premier League in a dismal 2024/25 campaign.

Upon returning to the Championship, the likes of Jan Bednarek, Aaron Ramsdale, Kamaldeen Sulemana and Kyle Walker-Peters have all left the club, while recent reports have also indicated that Southampton are holding out for up to £100 million for prized duo Tyler Dibling and Mateus Fernandes, who have both been linked with moves away from the south coast all summer and are said to be valued at £50 million apiece.

Southampton have not been quite as busy with incomings, having only acquired Damion Downs and Joshua Quarshie to date.

They are, however, pursuing a blockbuster move for Coventry City playmaker Jack Rudoni, who, as exclusively revealed yesterday by FLW, has an asking price of £15 million as the Sky Blues bid to keep their star player at the CBS Arena beyond the summer window.

But another departure could well be Smallbone on the condition that Southampton's valuation is met.

Southampton set £8m Will Smallbone asking price as exit stance emerges

Football League World has been informed that Southampton are willing to offload Smallbone before the end of the window and have duly placed an £8 million asking price on the midfielder's head.

For the time being, it remains unclear whether Smallbone has suitors, although you would imagine that a number of Championship rivals would be encouraged by the opportunity to take the Republic of Ireland international.

It's also plausible that any interested parties will look to negotiate a fee below Southampton's asking price, which may be difficult for teams outside the top-flight to match.

Smallbone was absent from the matchday squad for Southampton's 2-1 victory over Wrexham on the opening weekend, with head coach Will Still confirming that the 25-year-old will be sidelined for "a little while" with a calf injury.

A product of Southampton's academy system, Smallbone broke into the first-team during the 2019/20 campaign and has tallied up 90 appearances for the Saints. The technically-gifted midfielder enjoyed a prominent role in the side's promotion back to the Premier League under Russell Martin in 2022/23, registering seven goals and four assists from 46 outings.

However, he struggled for both form and fitness in the Premier League last time out, starting just six of his 18 top-flight matches.

With stiff competition in the middle of the park provided by the likes of Shea Charles, Flynn Downes and Fernandes, Southampton are now open to listening to offers ahead of a potential permanent exit from Hampshire this summer.

Southampton may need to lower £8m Will Smallbone asking price

Southampton may need to lower their asking price of Smallbone if they are serious about moving the midfielder on, as it's hard to see which Championship clubs, for example, would be both willing and financially able to meet that demand.

Smallbone has proven himself to be a solid operator at this level both with the Saints and during a previous loan spell at Stoke City, but he's struggled for consistent football throughout his career and that could mean that Still's side have to accept a fee below where they feel his value is at.

Alternatively, Southampton could elect to retain Smallbone and there would be little harm in that, although the chances of receiving an £8 million figure for the midfielder when his contract is set to expire next summer do not appear favourable.