BOSS Ralph Hasenhuttl insists Danny Ings remains "absolutely happy" at Saints, amid reports regarding his future this week.

Various media outlets claim Ings is stalling on signing a new deal at the club, in the hope of attracting an offer from a side competing in the Champions League.

Ings's contract at Saints is currently due to expire in the summer of 2022.

“I know you have to ask this question all the time. I think as long as there is no signing of a new contract, it will not stop," said Hasenhuttl.

“I can only say that we want him to stay here. We showed him as a club that we want him to be here.

“He showed signals that he wants to stay with us. I’m still positive that we’re fine together for the future.

“One thing that is also clear - we also showed him what we don’t want. This is important.

“Every time a contract of a player comes to an end, the power goes to the player.

“But I think it’s not that easy. For us it’s important to show him that we don’t want to sell him next summer, we want him to stay with us as long as possible.

“I think he enjoys what we are doing here. He knows that his quality he has now, I don’t want to say we are responsible for this, but we helped him to be strong like he is at the moment.

“It’s a win-win situation if we can fight together. We have no issue with him.

“He is absolutely happy here. He likes to work with the team, he likes playing in this team. The team is fantastic. We have a good atmosphere here and some targets also for this season.”

Asked if there is a deadline the club have set for Ings to sign a new deal, Hasenhuttl added: “You say the player has more power, but he is also under pressure that there is no agreement.

“I think these rumours help nobody, not the club, not him.

“If you want to concentrate on your game, I think it’s always easier to know about your future. That definitely gives you a clearer mind.

“For us as a club, you always have to think about more scenarios than only this one and this is normal.

“But we are not at this point to be honest yet because we still have one and a half years left. This is a very long time in football. It’s strange when you only have one or two years left, (people say) immediately it means nothing. It means a lot to me.”