Nathaniel Clyne transfer news: Southampton 'confident' Manchester United target will sign new deal at St Mary's

England right-back is one of Louis van Gaal's top targets

(Getty Images)

Manchester United have been dealt a blow in their summer transfer plans after the Southampton hierarchy admitted they are "confident" Nathaniel Clyne will sign a new deal at the club.

The England right-back is under contract until next summer and has become one of Louis van Gaal's top targets after Rafael da Silva failed to win his trust and Antonio Valencia was used in the position.

Clyne was given 10 days at the end of April by Ronald Koeman to make up his mind and although no resolution has been reached, Southampton chief executive Les Reed is confident Clyne will sign an extension.

“With Clyney it’s been the same as with Jay [Rodriguez], we’ve been talking for quite a while,” Reed told the club website, as Rodriguez signed a new deal of his own.

“Ronald made a comment that there was a deadline. That deadline was more about getting a response, and that issue has been solved by the fact Nathaniel has changed his agent. We got an immediate response from his new agent.

“That’s not our business, but there was something there slowing things down. That’s all accelerated, I’m in discussions with his agent and those have been very positive.”

Louis van Gaal is searching for a new right-back (Getty Images)

The 24-year-old has established himself as England's first-choice under Roy Hodgson.

“There’s bound to be speculation because he’s such a good player and has had such a good season so we have to balance that against what he can do for us in the future and what we can do for him,” Reed added.

“We’re at a very good place at the moment in terms of discussions going on and I’m confident again that we will have a resolution to that sooner rather than later.”