Les Reed says that Saints have “no intention” of selling players this summer and that “the signs are good” that Nathaniel Clyne will commit to a new long-term contract at St Mary’s.

The club’s executive director has spoken to various news studios, and was fielding questions about the futures of some of the club’s star players.

When asked about potential sales, with the likes of Morgan Schneiderlin and Jay Rodriguez heavily linked with moves away, Reed told Sky Sports: "It wouldn't be our intention to sell any of our players this summer.

"We're in the process of renegotiating contracts with some but our main purpose at the moment is keeping this squad together and adding to it."

Clyne, like Rodriguez, has little more than one year left to run on his current contract but Reed told talkSPORT: “We’re in constant communication. These contract negotiations are never just one meeting, where everything is done and sorted out.

“You have to bear in mind, especially with Nathaniel, that we want him to focus on the last few games of the season. That’s why you’ll get players saying, ‘let’s wait until the end of the season’.

“That’s quite normal and he’s very happy. He’s managed to force himself into the England squad and is showcasing his talents.

“I’d be very surprised if there wasn’t speculation about him, but at the moment the signs are good.”

Saints fans will be hopeful that this is good news, but it is similar to what Reed said this time last year, when he was confident that Mauricio Pochettino and a host of big name stars would stay, only for events to overtake and for them to later depart.

Of the prospect of European qualification and what that would mean for expanding the squad, Reed played down thoughts of adding depth with a significant numbers of signings in the transfer market and instead was focussing on academy starlets boosting numbers.

"If you look at the fixtures in a cold way, then we've got every chance of finishing in the top five,” he said.

"If we qualify for Europe, then we'll be absolutely delighted. We weren't going into this season with Europe as a target, and if we do (make it), then we show we've got that momentum moving forward."

He added: "We don't operate like other clubs.

"When other managers say they need a bigger squad, that means go out and buy more players, whereas we develop our players. I think that part of the depth in our squad will come from our academy graduates actually being more permanently in the squad."

Reed also said that Saints are remaining cautious with Rodriguez over a comeback but believe he will be fully fit for the start of next season while Saints will either look at a loan signing of capturing a youngster to fill the gap left by Fraser Forster in the first half of the next campaign as he recovers from injury.