Koeman: We would like to keep everybody

Cape Town - Southampton manager Ronald Koeman admits he can do nothing to stop players from leaving if they are wanted by a team in the Champions League, but insists he will try to retain their services nonetheless.

The Saints have had to rebuild their squad every season in recent years, having been raided by the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United in the transfer market.

Koeman is hoping to reduce the amount of players leaving the club in the next 12 months, after tying down Virgil van Dijk and Jordy Clasie to new six-year deals recently.

However, he is all to aware of the reality of the situation, admitting the final decision on whether a player is sold does not rest with him.

"We know we are Southampton, [we would] like to keep everybody in [the squad] but still, for a Southampton player, if a big team in the Champions League comes [in] it is always interesting for the player," Koeman said.

"I can mention to the club that nobody can leave like I did in January but I don't make the last call in this club, that is the board.

"How strong we are next season depends whether we can keep everyone for next season.

"I still believe in developing the team and the individual player and the players learn from his first Premier League season like Virgil [van Dijk] and [Jordy] Clasie, because that makes the team even stronger.

"Maybe we can sign a very good player and every season we like to have a better team."