Tottenham Hotspur transfer news: Morgan Schneiderlin hands in transfer request as Saints hierarchy try to block move to Spurs

France star looking to leave St. Mary's after his spell is 'destroyed in one hour'

Morgan Schneiderlin

Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin has responded angrily to reports that the club's hierarchy plan to force him to stay at St. Mary's by handing in a transfer request.

The likes of Luke Shaw, a £30m capture for Manchester United, and new Liverpool trio Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Dejan Lovren have left the South Coast this summer.

Calum Chambers also completed a £16m switch to Arsenal earlier this week.

Mauricio Pochettino, the former Southampton manager who left for Tottenham Hotspur, was heavily linked with moves for Schneiderlin and Jay Rodriguez - but Saints chairman Ralph Krueger ruled out any more high-profile departures yesterday afternoon.

“They are part of the core that we have decided to keep at Southampton," he told the Southern Daily Echo.

“Jay Rodriguez and Morgan Schneiderlin are not for sale and they will be a part of our club as we enter the new season.”

Schneiderlin, valued at £27m, is currently injured after representing his country at the World Cup but took to Twitter to respond to the news after reportedly holding a meeting with the club's board.

Southampton chairman Ralph Krueger (Getty Images)

He wrote: "6 years of an amazing journey #saintsfc DESTROYED in 1 hour !!!"

Ronald Koeman is desperate to keep the Frenchman after losing a host of first team stars in his opening weeks with the club.

Discussing his first training session, the new boss spoke of how he had addressed the issue with his new squad.

"They know that's the story in football, players come and go," Koeman said. "The most important message I gave them was that we have to keep the philosophy and the ambition of the club.

"If we lose some players we will bring in players of the same quality or even better quality if that is possible. There is money to spend and to continue the quality and bring new players in."

Graziano Pelle and Dusan Tadic are the only summer signings ahead of a summer of rebuilding at St. Mary's.