Edwards represented England at the U20 World Cup in 2023 and has already racked up over 100 appearances for the Peterborough first team, including 34 Championship outings as a teenager.

Following his campaign of regular football in the second tier, Edwards attracted the attention of both Chelsea and Tottenham, as reported by Football Insider in 2022.

Edwards was voted League One Young Player of the Season in 2023-24, alongside silverware in the form of the EFL Trophy.

Southampton in pole position to sign Ronnie Edwards

With Peterborough coming up short in League One and Southampton earning a return to the Premier League, Russell Martin’s side should have the financial flex to prise Edwards from London Road.

Edwards would join a competitive pool of central defenders should he seal a move to the South Coast, with Saints’ promotion making Taylor Russell Martin’s loan deal permanent from Manchester City in a £20m deal.

A right-footed centre-back, boss Martin will feel he and his staff can develop Edwards into an established Premier League player.

The club are actively pursuing recruits to strengthen the back line ahead of a demanding top-flight season, with Football Insider [17 June] revealing Saints have Tottenham’s Joe Rodon on their radar and will compete with Ipswich, Leicester and Leeds for his signature.

Peterborough have a renowned history of recouping large fees for a conveyor belt of players who have gone on to play Premier League football, and will be hoping to scoop a healthy sum on their England youth international.

In other news, Southampton are back in for a local boy and former Saint.