Failure to reach a deal could allow foreign clubs to approach Irish left-back Ryan Manning, 30, over a pre-contract agreement in January. This would place Southampton at risk of losing him without a transfer fee. Manning, who joined Southampton in July 2023, has a contract that expires in June 2027 and has earned 27 caps for Ireland. According to Transfermarkt, his current market value is €2.8M. Middlesbrough has been linked with the player.