Southampton F.C. legend Matt Le Tissier has conceded the Saints are likely to lose Morgan Schneiderlin when the transfer window re-opens this summer.
The France international, 25, has been linked with North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur on several occasions over the past 12 months, but reports are suggesting United are now leading the race for the player’s signature.
After selling the likes of Adam Lallana, Calum Chambers, Luke Shaw and Rickie Lambert, the Saints blocked a move for Schneiderlin last summer.
However, Le Tissier does not expect the club to prevent Schneiderlin from securing a move to a top-four club in the coming weeks.
“It’s probably more likely that he’ll leave than stay,” Le Tissier told Sky Sports. “The big question is whether a top-four side meets his valuation.
“Out of those sides it is Manchester United that need him most as they still require strengthening in that position.
“Schneiderlin is the sort of player they should be looking for, having proven over the last few seasons that he can mix it with the top sides.
“It sounds like they’ve been looking at Schweinsteiger but if they don’t get him then Schneiderlin becomes their number one target.”
Le Tissier added: “We paid about £1 million for him back in 2008 so with a couple of promotions and another decent transfer fee it certainly represents another good return.
“I think Southampton have always been fair with players and not stood in their way when bigger clubs have met their valuation, which was shown last summer.
“Schneiderlin’s case last summer was under exceptional circumstances as so many players had already left.”
Schneiderlin, priced at 10/11 to join Manchester United, tallied four goals and one assist in 26 English Premier League appearances for the Saints in 2014/15.
Jovetic to Internazionale?
FC Internazionale Milano sporting director Piero Ausilio has confirmed the club’s interest in signing Manchester City F.C. striker Stevan Jovetic this summer.
Jovetic, who joined City from Fiorentina in a deal worth £22 million in the summer of 2013, start just nine league matches for the Premier League runners-up last season.
“There are many players that we are evaluating at this moment,” Ausilio said.
“Jovetic is one of them and I don’t know whether Manchester City put him on the market or not.
“We need to bring in a few players. It’s not a question of quantity, but of quality. They must be talented, useful and functional to the project.”
Jovetic, a reported summer target for Liverpool, bagged five goals and three assists in 17 league appearances for City last term.
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