Saints are likely to be forced to sell Nathaniel Clyne this summer if he refuses a new contract at St Mary’s.

Ronald Koeman has admitted that it would not make any business sense to allow Clyne to see out the final year of his Saints deal before leaving for nothing.

Therefore, if he does not agree to a new contract, with protracted negotiations still taking place, then he will be sold if there is a decent offer.

“Normally that’s difficult, because it’s not business,” said Koeman when asked about the possibility of keeping Clyne as his contract dwindles down to a finish.

“Everything in football is one-year contract, sign a new one or if there is any interest for the player, then that’s a difficult situation.

“The player knows that it’s difficult to keep the player and to finish his contract. It’s difficult business.”

Koeman also hinted there is a strong chance Saints will make a goalkeeper a transfer priority in the summer, with Fraser Forster set to miss the first half of the campaign.

It remains to be seen whether a new recruit would be a young player as a back-up or an established name for the first team, and if Saints will look for a loan deal or negotiate a permanent transfer.

Kelvin Davis will be between the sticks for his 300th Saints appearance tomorrow and Koeman smiled: “Kelvin will play his 300th. I heard that Joe Hart play also his 300th game. Good news for you. If I lie, I lie out of the goalkeeper coach Dave Watson! He mentioned that. He said Kelvin play his 300, and Joe Hart 300 as well. It’s special.”

Koeman, who also confirmed that Artur Boruc, who spent last season on loan at Bournemouth, will be released when his contract expires in the summer, has given Paulo Gazzaniga the last two games to take a look at him and has been fairly impressed.

“That was what we need to make a decision next season about the goalkeepers and we will make that decision next week, but in general Paulo played on a good level,” he reflected.

“The goals against Leicester – difficult. Aston Villa goal – nothing to do.

“In general, happy about his performance, and he’s still a young one, a young goalkeeper, with some experience – that’s good – and we need three good goalkeepers.”