Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin has reconfirmed his desire to leave St Mary's in the summer if they do not qualify for the Champions League.
The Frenchman looked set to leave during the transfer window last summer but a deal failed to materialise. North London clubs Tottenham and Arsenal reportedly led the chase for his signature, but it was rumoured that the club refused to let him leave.
Ronald Koeman’s side are still in the hunt for a top four finish in what has been a remarkable season for the Saints, but it seems as though it may not be enough for Schneiderlin who is desperate to play at Europe’s top level.
They currently sit on 53 points behind 4th placed Manchester United as we approach the business end of the Premier League season, but still have two testing fixtures against Tottenham and Manchester City to come.
The top four rat race is certainly becoming increasingly tight with Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, Southampton, Liverpool and Tottenham all heading up the charge, it really is impossible to tell who is going to end up in those all important Champions League spots.
Following last season’s summer exodus that included the loss of their manager Maurico Pochettino to Tottenham, it is hard to predict whether Southampton will dig their heels in once more over the sale of one of their prized assets.
Luke Shaw, Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, and Dejan Lovren all followed their manager out of the door from St Mary’s but it remains to be seen whether the defensive midfielder will follow suit this season.
What is certain is the number of possible suitors that will be queuing up to sign Schneiderlin should the Saints not go marching into Europe’s premier competition next season.