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Southampton transfer news: Manchester United targets Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana will stay, insists executive director

The club intends to retain their best players despite intense speculation

Simon Peach
Saturday 26 April 2014 09:18 BST
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Luke Shaw pictured training with England
Luke Shaw pictured training with England (GETTY IMAGES)

Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana look set to stay at Southampton this summer after executive director Les Reed reaffirmed the club's intention to keep their star players.

A comfortable top-10 finish is all but assured at the end of an impressive second season back in the Barclays Premier League, which has seen Mauricio Pochettino's side attract many a plaudit.

Such success has seen the Argentinian become bookmakers' favourite any possible Tottenham vacancy, while the likes of Shaw, Lallana and Calum Chambers have been strongly-linked with a move away.

Shaw in particular has been said to have agreed a deal with Manchester United.

That speculation was quashed on Friday morning by executive director Reed, who made the unusual move to speak before Pochettino's press conference previewing Saturday's match with Everton.

"Both Mauricio and myself are very happy with the way we're approaching things at the moment," Reed said.

"We would like to focus on the remaining fixtures of the season. We will pick up the contract talks over the summer.

"We talk about the future every day. We're both comfortable with the situation.

He continued: "As we stand, there have been no enquiries or offers for any of our players. That is the truth.

"No club has been given permission to talk to any of our players. Reports that some of our players are negotiating transfers are misinformed.

"We want to improve the squad going forward and retain our current players."

PA

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