Tonda Eckert has indicated that he would like to keep James Bree at Southampton beyond the 2025-26 season, but that the final decision is not his. Bree's contract is set to expire at the end of the campaign, meaning he could depart Southampton without a transfer fee in June 2026. Via the Daily Echo, Eckert stated that the club knows his opinion regarding Bree’s contract, that he is very happy with the way Bree is currently contributing, and that the rest of the decision is made at a higher level. Any decision will likely be deferred until the summer, but Bree is making a case for being offered a new deal since returning from Charlton.