Arsenal target Morgan Schneiderlin may stay at Southampton

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman says he expects Morgan Schneiderlin, who has been linked with a move to Tottenham and Arsenal, to stay at St Mary's.

Arsenal were linked with a move for Schneiderlin last summer but Southampton refused to allow the player to leave and it looks like Koeman may have another battle on his hands to keep the midfielder.

Schneiderlin has been missing with a knee injury that Southampton feared would end his season, but Koeman revealed the France international may make a surprise return for the last two games of the season.

Speaking ahead of the weekend clash with Leicester, Koeman said: "It looks positive. 

"I mentioned last week that maybe he is out until the end of the season but he will be fit for the last one or maybe the last two.

"We will have to wait but it looks a little bit more positive than a week ago."

When questioned about whether Schneiderlin would be leaving in the summer transfer window, Koeman said: "I don't think so.

"He has a contract with the club and nobody has made a serious bid for the player. 

He has a contract with the club and nobody has made a serious bid for the player.

"Ok it's all about the rumours but I can't listen to all the rumours because then I will be crazy.

"He's a good player and more players of Southampton are linked or will be linked with other clubs."

Southampton not only face a battle to keep Schneiderlin, as forward Jay Rodriguez has been linked with former Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham, and defender Nathaniel Clyne is also reported to be attracting the interest of Chelsea and Manchester United. 

"He was talking to the club," the Saints boss added. "He's a good player and I think he will be an important player for next season.

"If he stays, I think that is a good signal to the club, to everybody."