Southampton are already feeling the effects of their relegation to the Championship, as new manager Will Still lays out his summer transfer plans.
The Saints have several talented players on their radar who are either being eyed by Premier League clubs or teams across Europe.
Leeds United are interested in Shea Charles after watching him shine on loan at Sheffield Wednesday last term, and Russell Martin wants to sign Flynn Downes for Rangers.
While uncertainty surrounds the futures of Charles and Downes, one player who has already left Southampton is Kyle Walker-Peters.
The 28-year-old snubbed the offer of a new contract and is now waiting to be snapped up. Walker-Peters was incredible for the Saints during his five-year stint, and now Will Still needs to sign a replacement for the attacking full-back.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Bali Mumba is the perfect replacement for Kyle Walker-Peters
Walker-Peters showed impressive versatility at Southampton. The Englishman could operate as a standard full-back or as an attacking wing-back on either side.
The former Tottenham man also had the speed and dynamism to carry the ball up the pitch, which saw him become one of their most dangerous attacking assets.
Now that Walker-Peters has exited the club, Still will need to sign someone who possesses the searing pace, dribbling and defensive skills to fill his void.
Luckily, there is someone available in League One who can do just that. Plymouth Argyle suffered relegation to the third tier last term, and they could now lose Bali Mumba to a Championship club this summer.
Bali Mumba in 24/25
Games – 43
Goals – 0
Assists – 2
Successful dribbles – 33
Tackles won – 55
Recoveries – 184
The 23-year-old is one of the most versatile players in the EFL, having operated high up the pitch, but also as a full-back on either flank.
Despite his age, Mumba has also amassed over 150 appearances at the senior level, with the Sunderland academy graduate demonstrating his excitement in possession and ability to break lines with his speed.
So, with Southampton losing a lot of attacking thrust following the departure of Walker-Peters, Middlesbrough-linked Mumba is someone they should enter the race for this summer.
What Daniel Farke has said about Mumba
Mumba was once part of Daniel Farke’s Norwich City squad in 2020 after joining from Sunderland, and the Englishman was rated highly by the German.
After grabbing a contribution against Swansea City in 2020, Farke said via the Sunderland Echo: “It is one thing to have a fantastic idea as a coach, but the compliments go to the player. What those two lads did was outstanding and full credit to them. We started to find Bali with many diagonals to give him the ball and he played a fantastic pass.”
Ahead of a potential return to the Championship, Farke has already offered a glimpse at what Mumba could bring to Southampton and Still must snap him up.