Cedric Soares insists he has no problem with honouring his Saints contract despite being linked with moves to Barcelona and Chelsea during the transfer window.

The 25-year-old right back penned a new deal last summer that boosted his wages and tied him to St Mary’s until 2020.

There has been constant speculation that a bid will come in for the Portuguese Euro 2016 winner, but Cedric has focussed on his football and appreciates his end of the bargain.

He said: “I am have a contract with Southampton and I am working every day like I always do. I am professional.

“Of course a player likes to know some big teams are interested in us and it’s normal. We work every day.

“I have a contract. I am focussed and what happens will happen.”

He added: “I have a contract and I am doing my best here.

“I am always professional and I am happy.”

Cedric’s comments will be welcomed by Saints fans fretting over the future of Virgil van Dijk in the final days before the close of the transfer window.

Saints have been adamant that the Dutchman, who like Cedric signed a new deal last summer, is going nowhere, despite the 26-year-old handing in a transfer request.

Though the close of the window on Thursday night is clearly a priority right now, Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino is also trying to work with the players who have not disappeared for international duty as he looks to build on an unbeaten start to the club’s Premier League campaign.

Certainly Cedric has been impressed by Pellegrino and his methods.

“The coach is very good and we are happy to fight for him,” he said.

“We are trying to do our best and I am sure Southampton will always be in the right way.

“I think we have every player improving.

“The coach has good ideas for the team, and tactically wise we are improving and we can see this. I think in the future we will be playing better.

“I think we have good games starting the Premier League. Last game (against West Ham) we had to win and did win and this (Huddersfield) was a tough one but we are in a good way and we have to keep working.

“He wants to play out, he knows the game, he understands the game.

“He knows the places we need to achieve and tactically wise I think we are improving a lot because he is good.

“Definitely we are in the right way but of course it takes time. I am sure all the players understand his message.”

He added: “I see positives.

“The players are motivated and they want to keep working hard for Southampton and we are in a good way.

“We didn’t lose (against Huddersfield), a clean sheet is also a positive out of it and we could have scored two or three times from very clear chances.

“Football is like this and we need to work our way to win.”