Oludare Olufunwa has agreed a new contract at Southampton to calm fears that he could leave St Mary’s on a free transfer this summer, according to AllNigeriaSoccer.
Though there has been no official confirmation from the Saints just yet, it seems that the South Coast club can breathe a sigh of relief today.
While doubts about the futures of Ryan Bertrand and captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg continue, Southampton have at least managed to tie down one of the most exciting prospects to emerge from their feted academy system.
Teen talent Olufunwa has been training with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s first-team squad in recent weeks, with the centre-back looking to force his way into the manager’s plans.
AllNigeriaSoccer claimed a fortnight ago that the 18-year-old had been offered a deal until 2022, but Southampton were growing a little concerned with Olufunwa failing to put pen to paper.
That could soon change, however, with a more-than-welcome update claiming that everything has been agreed as of Wednesday afternoon.
It remains to be seen, of course, whether Olufunwa can emulate the likes of Gareth Bale, Luke Shaw, Theo Walcott, Adam Lallana and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after a decade in one of the most impressive academies in English football.
But, in Hasenhuttl, Southampton have a coach who is more than happy to throw unproven youngsters in at the deep end.
Will Smallbone and Michael Obafemi are quickly becoming regular members of the Saints starting XI, after all.
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