LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 26: Flynn Downes of Southampton celebrates after winning the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final match between Leeds United and Southampton FC at Wembley Stadium on May 26, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images)
Chris Sutton has shared his opinions about a potential Celtic acquisition for this Southampton star who is leaving.
This summer, Southampton appears to be clearing the decks as some are expected to leave as free agents and others to be sold on.
The Saints just made public their retained list, which included the release of several peripheral players like Luke Pearce, Matt Carson, Jake Vokins, and Dynel Simeu.
The club is now in negotiations with the first team’s Alex McCarthy and Che Adams on their futures at St Mary’s because their contracts are about to expire.
Both have suitors in the Premier League, but Adams appears to be the most likely to sign a deal this summer.
Stuart Armstrong is another player Southampton revealed this summer; he joined the team in 2018 and has played 214 games overall.
Last season, the 32-year-old appeared in 42 games for the Championship, contributing five goals and seven assists while missing the final six due to injury.
Chris Sutton discussing Stuart Armstrong Celtic’s comeback before Southampton’s release
Armstrong was signed by Southampton from Celtic. The 44-year-old Scotland international played 144 games for the Scottish powerhouses in the past.
Online, some Celtic supporters have made conjectures on the midfielder’s potential comeback. Pundit Chris Sutton has now offered his thoughts on the subject.
Armstrong “won’t be short of offers this summer,” according to Sutton, who wrote for the Daily Record. He also predicted that “a queue of clubs at the top end of the Championship” would want to recruit Armstrong.
Despite his age, Sutton says Armstrong would be “a very good signing” for Celtic, emphasizing the importance for clubs to have a mix of youth and experience.
According to recent reports, Fulham may be interested in signing Armstrong this summer on a free transfer.
Would Stuart Armstrong be better off moving to Celtic before being released from Southampton?
Armstrong has been a fantastic servant and has just had what may have been one of his best seasons with the team, so Southampton will have found it difficult to let him go this summer.
Russell Martin, though, will be aware that he needs to improve Southampton’s playing staff and bring in a fresh batch of younger players when he returns to the Premier League.
Armstrong, as Sutton predicts, will draw a lot of interest, probably from Championship teams given his outstanding goal and assist total from 2023–2024.
However, a return to Celtic at the age of 32 may be a good way for him to end his career. Though he doesn’t appear to be slowing down, Armstrong will undoubtedly take some time to consider his next course of action because this contract could be his last.
It’ll be a tough choice for the Scot, who may potentially return to haunt Southampton the following season if he agrees a move to another Premier League team given Fulham’s interest.
Southampton has received a significant transfer boost as they work to sign one of their top summer targets.
If Southampton wants to avoid dropping out of the Premier League the next season, they will need to work very hard during the summer transfer window.
The team led by Russell Martin is making their first appearance back after defeating Leeds United 1-0 in the Championship play-off final one month prior.
A rising number of names are already being connected to summer transfers to St Mary’s, and Martin seems to be putting a lot of effort into preparing his team for a challenging Premier League season.
Many players are also said to be departing the team this summer; Kyle Walker-Peters is being pursued by Tottenham Hotspur, while Che Adams is ready to move to the Premier League.
In other news, Southampton has expressed interest in having loan star Flynn Downes return. Downes made 36 appearances in the Championship the previous season, tallying two goals and three assists.
