There was a time during the summer transfer window when it seemed James Ward-Prowse might be the latest in a long line of Southampton academy graduates to leave the club in a big-money move.
After an impressive season which led him to the brink of England's Euros squad - he was in the initial party but cut when the final 26 were chosen - the 26-year-old was reportedly a transfer target for Aston Villa and Tottenham.
Saints fans could have been forgiven for fearing the worst. After all, they are only too familiar with losing their star players.