Saints are optimistic that Jay Rodriguez will sign a new contract with the club.

As reported in today’s Daily Echo, the club are understood to have tabled a new five-year deal to the attacker, who has been sidelined for more than a year with a knee injury.

Rodriguez has been constantly linked with a host of big clubs, even during his recuperation, and has one year left on his current deal at the end of this campaign.

Saints have moved to try and secure him for the long term and Ronald Koeman is hopeful he will sign.

“He was talking to the club and it’s a good player and I think it will be an important player for the next season,” said the Saints boss.

“If he stays I think that is a good signal to the club, to everybody.”

Koeman was also asked for an update on the Nathaniel Clyne situation.

Clyne also has just over a year left on his contract and is said to be interesting Manchester United.

Saints have offered him a new deal but it is as yet unsigned. That is something Koeman is hoping to resolve one way or the other after this weekend’s game against Leicester.

“Of course it’s not about ten days but of course we like to know what he decide and if he accept his offer from the club. We like to know,” he reported.

“We are preparing the match for Saturday and after the weekend it’s a good time to sit together and mention what will happen to Clyne.”

Clyne told the Daily Echo he was happy to stay at Saints, though admitted negotiations were ongoing between the club and his agents.

“He mentioned that (being happy to stay) at different times to everybody at the club and I understand it’s all about the contract, the future, and he has to make that decision,” replied Koeman.

“I can give him some advice but it’s difficult.”

Koeman also said he was hopeful that Morgan Schneiderlin would remain at Saints but admitted it is tougher to predict what will happen with Toby Alderweireld.

Saints have an option to buy the player following the conclusion of his season long loan deal, but parent club Atletico Madrid have the chance to buy out that option to either keep them for themselves or sell him on for a higher price than the agreed fixed deal between the clubs, understood to be just less than £7m.

“That situation is more difficult because it’s not up to the player, it’s up to the club Atletico Madrid,” admitted Koeman.

“Of course we would like to keep Toby but that situation is a little bit more difficult.”