Southampton closing in on deal for defender from League One club

Southampton are seemingly closing in on a deal to sign defender Will Armitage from Cheltenham Town.

That’s after The Telegraph reporter Mike McGrath reported that the Saints have agreed a fee with the League One side for the signing of the centre back.

A member of Cheltenham’s academy, Armitage became the club’s youngest ever first-team player when he played the full 90 minutes of an EFL Trophy clash with Exeter City earlier this season.

The 16-year-old also went onto make a second appearance in that competition, when he played in a goalless draw with Chelsea’s Under 21s later in October.

Armitage has since spent time on loan in non-league with Evesham this season, and it now seems as though he could be on the move again in the not too distant future.

According to this latest update, Southampton have now agreed a fee with Cheltenham for the sale of Armitage to the Premier League club.

It is thought that the teenager is now set to hold talks with the south coast clubs over a potential move to St Mary’s this week.

Southampton have agreed a fee with #CTFC for centre-back Will Armitage, who is set to discuss the deal to St Mary's this week #SaintsFC #Southampton :: He became Cheltenham Town's youngest 1st team player this season https://t.co/jGIq90mZvK

— Mike McGrath (@mcgrathmike) January 25, 2022

The Verdict

It looks as though Armitage may soon have a big decision to make with regards to his career.

One the one hand, you have to feel that given he has already featured for Cheltenham at senior level, he has a better chance of getting first-team football there than at Southampton in the immediate future.

However, the opportunity to join a Premier League club such as Southampton, and the rewards that could bring both on and