Saints midfielder was named Sheffield Wednesday's Player of the Year while on loan this season _(Image: PA)_
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SKY Sports pundit Don Goodman insisted keeping West Ham target Shea Charles would be "a huge benefit" to new Saints manager Will Still.
Charles, 21, is reportedly a transfer target for the Premier League Hammers after his stellar season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday.
The former Man City youngster scooped the club's Player of the Year award and was nominated for Championship Young Player of the Year.
Charles will now return to Saints where he is expected to be a key figure under Still at Saints, having signed for £12million in 2023.
Goodman, an EFL expert and commentator, has told Football League World that Saints should resist any potential interest that comes.
“Hugely important summer for Southampton and Will Still and what they can achieve will largely depend on who they can keep,” Goodman said.
Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman
“Shea Charles, having been on loan at Sheffield Wednesday almost all of last season, started 42 out of the 46 games, and you could argue was Sheffield Wednesday’s best player.
“I think keeping him would be a huge benefit for Will Still, but then on the other hand it’s a club that needs to decide how it wants to juggle its finances.
"How ambitious it wants to be. We’ll learn a lot this summer from who Southampton retain and who they let go, as to how they see their future.”
Charles, a Northern Ireland international and captain with 25 caps already to his name, has already made 75 Championship appearances.
He played as both a defensive midfielder and centre-back for Saints and Sheffield Wednesday, and could prove useful to Still in either role.