Transfers
Eckert warns of double exit as Derby and Sheffield United hover
Southampton manager Tonda Eckert confirmed that talks are under way for Ben Brereton Diaz and Mads Roerslev to leave St Mary’s, with both Derby County and Sheffield United circling the Chilean forward as the transfer window draws to a close.
Brereton Diaz's uncertain future
The 27‑year‑old Chilean forward arrived from Villarreal for £7 million two summers ago and spent the last 18 months on loan at Sheffield United and Derby County before featuring in Southampton’s opening two Championship games of the 2026/27 season. He started the EFL Cup first‑round tie against Colchester United, was on the bench for the league opener against Watford, and has not been named in either of the two matchday squads this week.
"There are some conversations and negotiations taking place at the moment, and I would expect there to be some news," Eckert said. "You can look at the squad, and you can see who's involved and who's not. It's not a secret that there is still going to be some movement over the next days."
Roerslev and squad reshuffle
Mads Roerslev joined Southampton last summer from Brentford for £3 million, featured in the first two games of Eckert’s interim stint last November and made ten appearances before an Achilles injury curtailed his campaign. He has not made a matchday squad in any of the four competitive matches this season.
James Bree has started all four games this season and is now Eckert’s number one defender, prompting the German head coach to say he is open to Bree leaving to regain match fitness, acknowledging that Bree’s presence limits Roerslev’s chances. "I have big trust in James, and it's just a normal conversation," Eckert added.
One fan described Roerslev’s signing as “odd” and asked whether anyone would notice his departure, while another sarcastically queried “Who?” about the Dane leaving before the window closes. The club is also expected to move on goalkeepers Aaron Ramsdale and Gavin Bazunu, right‑back Yuki Sugawara and striker Damion Downes, while a central midfielder is sought to replace Shea Charles, who left for Fulham in a deal worth up to £30 million.
Action images By  Samuel Armitage PM GMT+1 Sam is an EFL writer for Football League World. He has worked across the entire 72 clubs of the English football pyramid.
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