It's not going to make you rich, but have you considered getting a key card to load a 'saver' ticket on it. Currently £3.90, or even better value if you have a smartphone by downloading an app you can purchase one for £3.50. Will make the first pint a little bit less expensive!
I would think the travel arrangements have been finalised for next season and if this was going to happen it would have been announced by now. Maybe whatever Southern were asking was too expensive for the Albion to justify swallowing, especially with the current cut backs that are taking place.