Ralph Hasenhuttl says Saints will try and move players on this summer but denied suggestions that as many as ten could leave the club.

Hasenhuttl has previously said he would like a squad of around 18-20 senior players with a few youngsters on top of that.

The current first team squad, including youngsters, is 29. There are seven players due to re-join in the summer following loan spells. If Saints were to sign three players that would bump the total up to 39.

Though you could reduce that number by excluding a few of the inexperienced talents, it would seem Saints need a large sale to rebalance things.

But Hasenhuttl batted away suggestions he would need to sell ten or more players this summer.

He said: “I don’t think so many players.

“I think the good thing is that you can see now that a lot of these players also develop their game and showed they are in good shape, had a good last three or four months in our team, maybe not every time playing but when they played they showed up that they score or compete with Premier League teams.

“That means they have their value and that’s important for them.

“This is something if you are successful as a club, and we were successful the last three months, that means for every player the value is rising.

“I think in the moment a few players in my team even if they are not with us any more can help other teams and you can be sure they are in the focus of other clubs.”

Much focus will also be on who Saints bring in.

Hasenhuttl has ruled out recruiting “star players” and is instead concentrating on younger signings who are keen to develop at St Mary’s.

“I think everybody knows that although we are following the Southampton Way it is not only possible with this way to be successful and we have to sign players for sure,” he admitted.

“That is only possible with money and that is something everybody knows so we will spend money for sure. How much depends on what we get for the players we sell. That is also important.

“Finally I guarantee we try to bring players here who see us as the next step in their devolvement.

“The most important goal is they are not too old and sign first or second contract and see us as a big chance to show up in the Premier League.

“If they are hungry and want to hunt then they are welcome and can help us to develop this club.”