Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin wanted by several clubs

Morgan Schneiderlin has said that he will only leave Southampton for a club playing in the Champions League.

Several clubs have expressed an interest in signing Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, but the France international has not been given permission to speak to any of them, sources have told us.

A report on French TV station Canal+ on Sunday suggested Manchester United were leading the race to sign Schneiderlin, with subsequent stories claiming a potential move to Old Trafford was close to being confirmed.

However, our sources suggest no club has opened negotiations with the player whose current contract with Southampton is set to expire in the summer of 2017.

Our sources revealed last month that Arsenal were the first club to register their interest in signing Schneiderlin, who went public in his frustration that he was not allowed to leave Southampton last summer.

However, the 25-year-old and his adviser have been assured that Southampton officials will listen to "substantial" offers for his services this summer, after Schneiderlin confirmed he is keen to leave the south coast club and play in the Champions League.

"I think my decision is made," he told the French radio station RMC last month. "The goal is to stay in England. It is a championship that I like and where I have a lot of fun. If I leave Southampton, it is for a club that plays better than the Europa League.

"There are ongoing discussions but nothing is done. Of course the Champions League is my goal. If I leave Southampton, it will be for a club in the Champions League.

"I have a two-year contract. If a club pays the right amount for me, it will be time to leave. The amount? I have no idea but I will not leave for a small price. Southampton is known to be a good seller club, the price should be high enough."

Saints manager Ronald Koeman has admitted his club faces a battle to hold on to Schneiderlin after the midfielder who has remained loyal to the club since he signed from Strasbourg in the summer of 2008 went public in his desire to explore other avenues in his career.

Schneiderlin has played more than 250 games for Southampton over the last seven years and has represented the club in three different divisions of the English league set-up, but it seems increasingly likely that he has played his last game for Saints.