James Bree has returned to Southampton following the conclusion of his short-term loan spell at Charlton Athletic. Addicks manager Nathan Jones stated that he did not want to lose Bree. When questioned about his future, Bree said that he is not sure. He added that if he is at Charlton and they want to keep him, then he is there and he wants to play, but if not, then they will see. Bree also stated that the situation has been unresolved. Because he has now played for Southampton, he can only be loaned back out to the Valley if his future lies away from St Mary's, due to the EFL's registration rules.

Nathan Jones insisted he wanted to keep defender James Bree before the full-back returned to Southampton. Jones still wants to sign James Bree until the end of the season. He had previously suggested this to South London Sport. Jones said that they wanted to keep James, and added that they would have liked to have kept him and they still would.

James Bree joined Charlton Athletic on a half-season loan from Southampton in the summer, reuniting with manager Nathan Jones, who he had previously played for at Southampton and Luton Town. Although the full-back was initially a consistent presence for Charlton Athletic, his future at the club is now uncertain following the arrival of Harry Clarke from Ipswich Town. Bree's loan is set to expire on January 17, and while Jones had previously suggested that attempts were ongoing to extend his stay, Clarke's signing indicates that Charlton are unlikely to pursue a permanent transfer. This leaves Southampton needing to decide on the player's long-term future, as his contract there runs until 2026.