Southampton manager Tonda Eckert has confirmed that conversations are underway over Ben Brereton Diaz’s exit from St Mary’s before the transfer window ends, and Mads Roerslev may follow suit as well.

Brereton Diaz’s future appeared to be away from St Mary’s, having spent the previous 18 months on loan with Sheffield United and, more recently, Derby County, but in the meanwhile, the Chilean forward appeared in the first two games of the 2026/27 season.

Meanwhile, Roerslev, who only joined from Brentford for £3 million last summer, only appeared in the opening two games of Tonda Eckert’s interim stay in November, with his campaign cut short after just 10 outings due to an Achilles injury.

The former Danish international played for Southampton in preseason but has yet to appear in any of the club’s four competitive matches.

Tonda Eckert provides an exit report as the transfer window approaches its last week.

Any likelihood of Brereton Diaz returning to the Southampton squad this season after starting their EFL Cup first-round encounter against Colchester United and making the bench against Watford in the Championship opener has been promptly dismissed.

The 27-year-old, who arrived from Villarreal for £7 million two summers ago, hasn’t made the matchday squad in either of the two games this week. Speaking to the Daily Echo after the 4-1 defeat to West Ham United on Tuesday night, Saints boss Tonda Eckert expects some exit talks in the next week, with Derby County and Sheffield United circling.Eckert stated that there are now ongoing conversations and negotiations, and that news is expected shortly.You can glance at the squad to discover who is and is not involved. It’s no secret that there will still be some movement in the coming days.”

Roerslev has not been included in any squads thus far, since Eckert has chosen to play James Bree in all four games this season, leaving the Dane on the bench to back him up.

James Bree since his return to Southampton in January (all competitions).

Appearances

28

Starts

26

Goals

3

Assists

3

With the 27-year-old coming from a lengthy injury layoff this summer, the German head coach is willing to let him go so he can get back to match fitness, which will be difficult at St Mary’s with Bree on the roster.

I believe James [Bree] played practically every single game last year,” Eckert continued.I have great faith in James, and this is just a typical talk. What is the best approach to regain your rhythm after being off for over a year due to injury? James is clearly our first priority right now.We’ll see what we do in the coming days. “Let’s see what they bring.”

How Southampton supporters reacted to Mads Roerslev possibly leaving this summer.

Bree’s return to the Saints squad and signing a new deal this summer were not expected when Will Still farmed him out to Charlton Athletic a year ago, but the 28-year-old has been a stalwart under Tonda Eckert.

As a result, there is little opposition to Roerslev leaving in the next week, as most fans link his tenure with the club’s disastrous start last year before Eckert took over.

I always thought it was an unusual signing, even when he played.One fan criticised Eckert’s statements about Roerslev possibly leaving before the window closes, saying he did not appear to be an upgrade.”Who?” another remarked cynically, while another, on the same wavelength, inquired, “Mads Roerslev may go before the window shuts. “Would anyone notice?”

Clearly, Saints fans aren’t opposed to the Danish full-back leaving in some form this summer.

Mads Roerslev and Ben Brereton Diaz will be the highlights of Southampton’s eventful last week of departures this summer.

Brereton Diaz and Roerslev are unlikely to be the only players that depart St Mary’s this summer. Indeed, Tonda Eckert has a number of loose ends in his senior team that will be looking for new homes before the window closes next Tuesday.

According to the Echo, the Saints manager does not intend to sign goalkeepers Aaron Ramsdale and Gavin Bazunu, right-back Yuki Sugawara, or striker Damion Downes.

All four spent last season on loan, but it appears they did not impress Eckert enough to earn a return to the Saints squad for his first full season in command.

Southampton are also trying to sign a central midfielder to fill the void created by Shea Charles, who moved to Fulham earlier this summer in a deal worth up to £30 million.

So, Saints will have a busy last week of the window, with additional outgoings expected before the September 1 deadline.