Southampton are reportedly hoping to cash in on Japanese international defender Yukinari Sugawara this summer.
The 25-year-old is currently representing his country at the World Cup having enjoyed a productive loan spell with Bundeliga side Werder Bremen last season.
The full-back made 31 appearances in all competitions during his temporary spell in the German top-tier and was expected to seal a permanent switch to the club at the end of the campaign.
However, despite Bremen possessing a purchase option in their loan agreement with the Saints, they have, according to Bild, subsequently opted not to exercise it, meaning Suguwara, as it stands, will report back to the South Coast club for pre-season at some point next month.
It's unlikely that the £7 million capture from AZ Alkmaar will feature in Tonda Eckert's plans though, especially give the German has recently handed first choice right-back James Bree a contract extnesion at St Mary's.
Suguwara made 30 Premier League appearances following his switch from the Netherlands two years ago, but having shown little appetite to play in the Championship last summer, the expectancy is that he will on the move once more in the coming weeks.
With Bremen passing up the chance to turn his loan into a permanent deal it's reportedly opened the door for a handful of other Bundesliga sides to pursue a move, whilst media reports suggest other clubs in the Dutch Eredivisie and MLS are also keeping abreast of his situation.
Suguwara's expected departure would come on the back of a major first-team summer exodus with Southampton having recently announced that first-team stars Oriol Romeu, Will Smallbone, Ross Stewart, Alex McCarthy, Joe Aribo, Jamie Jones and Charlie Taylor will all leave on free transfers at the end of the month.
Head coach Eckert is likely to be handed a significant transfer kitty to establish another promotion charge in 2026/27, one that could be swelled further should Premier League side Leeds United follow up their reported interest in Shea Charles and Aaron Ramsdale with concrete offers.
It's understood the Saints would be looking for a deal in excess of £45 million to sanction the departure of the pair.
