Southampton facing yet another excessive summer exodus

In-form full back Clyne has risen to prominence this term for club and country with his astute displays at right back, reportedly attracting interest from Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United. If a switch to Old Trafford does materialise, the full back would follow in the footsteps of his former teammate and fellow defender Luke Shaw, who has endured a lacklustre maiden campaign in red since a £30m move.

Despite not featuring in a single competitive match this season due to a serious knee inkury, attacking threat Rodriguez’s previous high-standard campaign seems to have been enough to generate a potential bidding war between top-flight clubs Tottenham and Manchester City. The attacker was among former stars Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren to have performed superbly last campaign, but all three players have since departed to Anfield.

As well as possibly losing their permanent stars, it is becoming increasingly unlikely that brilliant Belgium defender Toby Alderweireld will remain at St Mary’s beyond his season-long loan deal from Atletico Madrid, with a host of European giants also circling for his sublime services.

Another huge problem for the club will be replacing sensational stopper Fraser Forster, who has been ruled out for up to a year with a knee injury, a fatal blow to Koeman whose goalkeeper has kept more clean sheets than any other top tier number one this term.

Dutch gaffer Koeman will be reluctant to let any of his star names leave, at least not cheaply, but even his future is shrouded with uncertainty, after reports that the former PSV Eindhoven manager is being lined up to become Barcelona boss, having previously spent two years as assistant Nou Camp coach before the turn of the millennium.

Southampton manager Koeman recently revealed that he wouldn’t blame his own players, mainly Schneiderlin, for wanting to depart in the summer if big clubs come in for their services.

“It is very hard but normally if we have the season like we have so far there will be interest in the players of Southampton,” he said of Les Bleus’ holding player Schneiderlin. “If he gets a big offer from a big team, there is always interest for the player and I understand that.”

Southampton are still in the running for a European spot but have dropped off the pace, and they are now odds-on 4/7 to secure a top six finish.