Exclusive: Southampton star Zach Awe to undergo Salford medical after deal agreed
Southampton defender Zach Awe has agreed a deal to join Salford City in a permanent move, sources have told Football Insider.
The 21-year-old is set to have a medical at the League Two club next week before finalising his move.
There is a full agreement in place between the clubs and Awe has also settled personal terms.
The former Arsenal defender has failed to make a senior appearance for Southampton since joining in the summer of 2023.
Awe to join Salford permanently after successful Accrington Stanley loan spell
Awe was on Arsenal’s books as a youngster, but he did not make an appearance for their first team before a 2023 move to Southampton, despite being named on the bench for several Premier League and cup games.
He turned down an extension with the Gunners to sign a three-year contract at St Mary’s, but has similarly struggled to force his way into their senior side over the last two-and-a-half years.
The centre-back was sent out on loan to League Two side Accrington Stanley at the start of last season, and he played 27 times while being a key part of their side throughout the first half of the campaign.
Awe was recalled by the Saints this time last year after suffering a season-ending injury, and he has again failed to break into their first team this season, despite relegation to the Championship.
The 21-year-old is now due to return to the fourth tier permanently to join Salford, who are chasing promotion under Karl Robinson, in fourth place as it stands.
Southampton set for another season in the second tier amid Tonda Eckert struggles
Southampton sacked Will Still in November after he won just two of his 13 Championship games in charge following a summer arrival.
Academy boss Eckert was handed the reins at St Mary’s full-time after a successful interim spell, but he has not been able to guide them into promotion contention as yet.
Saints sit 14th in the second tier right now, and Opta’s supercomputer believes they will miss out on a top six finish this season, as a result of their struggles up to now.
League leaders Coventry City and Ipswich Town have been predicted to win automatic promotion, with Middlesbrough, Watford, Hull, and Bristol City all backed to join them in the play-offs.
Losing Awe may not affect their chances of going up, but it is clear that Southampton need to be busy in the January window to give themselves a genuine opportunity of a return to the Premier League.