According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, usually one of the more reliable purveyors of transfer news, West Ham are in negotiations with Saints regarding Kyle Walker Peters.
Southampton fans will be disappointed to learn that Kyle Walker Peters could well be leaving St Mary's this summer, that is according to westhamzone.com who are quoting a post on X from Fabrizio Romano who says:
"🚨⚒️ Negotiations underway between West Ham and Southampton for Kyle Walker-Peters and Flynn Downes.
Swap deal being discussed and concrete possibility, as
@ExWHUEmployee called.
Kyle Walker-Peters already said yes to West Ham, still work to do between clubs."
This rumour could have some legs, Walker Peters is entering the last year of his contract at St Mary's and so Saints have to cash in now or risk losing him for nothing in a years time.
KWP remained loyal to the club last season and was a key part of the promotion push and it would be a big blow to lose him, but it is going to be difficult to keep him given the interest not only from the Hammers, but also Tottenham Hotspur who have also been touted as a potential destination in the last week or so.
Saints will be keen to keep him, but it is going to come down to money, Walker Peters will still fetch £25 million at his current valuation, which is a big chunk to Southampton FC, but more importantly it is going to come down to wages, West Ham & Spurs will be able to offer him more than he would get at St Mary's and this could be a deciding factor.
This is not a lack of ambition on Saints part, the reality of the Premier League is that both Spurs & West Ham play in front of crowds of almost double the capacity of St Mary's they can generate a lot more income for wages etc.
Southampton are already talking to West Ham regarding Flynn Downes and Danny Ings and a deal involving a cash payment from the Hammers plus one or both of the aforementioned players could be on the cards.
Of course this is the time of year that rumours abound and you can be sure that the players agents are all working hard to get the best deal for their clients and pit one club against another.
One replacement for KWP if he goes, could be a man leaving West Ham at the end of his contract, Ben Johnson was linked with Saints a year ago but ended up staying with the Hammers, now after declining a new deal he will become a free agent next week, he is reported to be having talks with Ipswich Town, but given the latest news, it could be that Saints make a renewed effort to persuade him to come to the South Coast.