WILL SMALLBONE has been assured he will be a big part of Southampton’s plans after snubbing Premier League interest.
The Republic of Ireland international has signed a three-year contract extension with the Saints amid interest from Sheffield United.
Blades chiefs had identified the 23-year-old playmaker as a potential £7million recruit ahead of this weekend’s transfer window shutting.
And Southampton boss Russell Martin revealed there were other interested clubs circling for Smallbone.
But contract talks have been ongoing behind the scenes in recent weeks and accelerated when Smallbone was laid low with a slight ankle injury.
And the Ireland newcomer – set to be fit to face France and Netherlands – is now happy to commit his future to the club that he has been with since he was eight.
Smallbone spent last season on loan at Stoke City but made 18 first-team Saints appearances before that, either side of a cruciate injury in 2021.
Denne historien er fra August 29, 2023-utgaven av Irish Daily Mirror.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 29, 2023-utgaven av Irish Daily Mirror.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
THREE-FLOWING FOOTBALL!
Klopp has come up with a new dynamic triple threat on counter
MOORE'S MERRIER
Late, late leveller lifts new boss Darren
WE'VE GAT A GREAT CHANCE
Tompkins and Davies praise Gatland's clear vision and reckon 'the sky's the limit' for Wales
BYRNE: DON'T SEND ME TO BRITISH JAIL
Kinahan mobster fights extradition to UK over 'human rights'
Bruce wife: Our family's dementia heartache
'STAR MAY NOT BE AWARE HE HAS IT'
Killer Letby retrial over 'attempted murder of baby girl'
But heartache for other families
Garda chief confirms officer injured by Dail mob
A GARDA chief said an officer was injured in last week's Dail protests by a far-right mob.
Sophia so good
Hollywood great Loren doing well'after broken hip surgery
Eternal no more
Louise is accused of 'throwing bandmates under a bus' after quitting reunion in bitter row
Our lives will never be the same again..
Family mourns 'hero and son' struck by car
