Everton and Leicester City have reportedly cooled their interest in Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters.
The 27-year-old looks set to leave the Saints in the near future, with the strugglers supposedly targeting defensive replacements from South America this month.
Walker-Peters has been a shining light for Southampton during a troubling campaign, proving his worth as a top-flight player following a term in the Championship during 2023-24.
Nevertheless, the South Coast club are sitting rock bottom of the Premier League standings with six points, a mammoth 10 points behind Wolverhampton Wanderers in the relative comfort of 17th.
The arrival of Ivan Juric in the managerial hotseat has done little to change the fortunes of the Saints, who lost 5-0 at home to Brentford during their most recent league battle.
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Everton, Leicester put off Walker-Peters move by Southampton demands?
According to TEAMtalk, Walker-Peters's potential escape plan from St Mary's has taken a significant blow as the February 3 deadline draws closer.
The report claims that suitors Everton and Leicester have been put off a move for the full-back by Southampton's ambitious asking price.
It is understood that Juric's men want to secure at least £7m from the sale of Walker-Peters, who has provided two assists in the Premier League this term.
With the two-time England international hurtling towards the end of his contract on the South Coast, both Everton and Leicester are supposedly unwilling to fork out such a fee.
Marooned at the foot of the Premier League, Southampton are highly likely to lose Walker-Peters should they suffer relegation to the Championship.
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'One more attempt' - Saints praying for a miracle
That being said, transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has stated that Southampton are making one final attempt at tying Walker-Peters down to a new contract.
The Saints are looking for a miracle in truth, with the 27-year-old having his heart firmly set on Premier League football during the 2025-26 season, regardless of Southampton's divisional status.
The full-back would stand out like a sore thumb in the Championship for the second campaign in three years, possessing the ability to comfortably operate in the top flight.
Carter White
