£15m Star Flattered By Chelsea & Man Utd Interest, Wants Champions League Football

As the opening of the summer transfer window approaches, managers are working hard identifying targets and lining-up potential deals so we’ll bring you all the news and transfer rumours. Today, Nathaniel Clyne is flattered by interest from Chelsea and Man Utd…

Southampton right-back Nathaniel Clyne has admitted he’s flattered by interest from Chelsea and Manchester United and is keen to play in the Champions League.

Clyne has emerged as one of the best full-backs in the Premier League over the past two seasons and has now broken into the senior England team, establishing himself as Roy Hodgson’s No.1 right-back in recent games.

The 24-year-old’s impressive form has led to strong interest from some of England’s top teams with reports suggesting that Chelsea and Manchester United are ready to battle it out over his signature at the end of the season.

The duo have now been handed a major boost as Clyne has admitted that he’s flattered by the interest being shown in him and revealed that he wants to test himself in the Champions League.

However, the full-back says he’s focussed on playing for Southampton during the closing stages of the season. The defender is quoted as telling reporters:

“Right now I’m just focused on playing for Southampton, there are still lots of points to play for,” Clyne said.

“Right now I am focused on my football and I will let my agent sort out the contract.

“Champions League football is everyone’s dream and hopefully we can do it for Southampton.

“I’m flattered by the interest from the big clubs. It shows that I’m doing well and I’ve had a good season. I’m just going to keep on putting in good performances.”

Clyne was also quoted as telling Sky Sports:

“I am an ambitious person and I want to play Champions League football. To win the title and the FA Cup, that is what I want.”

The powerful defender will enter the final year of his contract in June and so far there has been no sign of an extension being agreed, so Southampton may be forced to cash-in this summer if he doesn’t commit to the club soon.

Reports suggest that it would take a fee of around £15m to persuade the South Coast club to sell, and that sort of money should be no problem for the likes of Chelsea and United – in fact it would be seen as a very good deal for a full England international who’s approaching his peak years.

Right-back has been a problem area for United this season as Antonio Valencia has been forced to deputise in that role with Rafael clearly out-of-favour under van Gaal, so Clyne would be an excellent addition at Old Trafford.

READ MORE –> Chelsea transfer news | Man Utd transfer news

The situation would be slightly different if he went to Chelsea as he’d be up against two of the best full-backs in the league in Ivanovic and Azpilicueta, so if Clyne wants regular first team football perhaps his best bet would be to join Man Utd.