Southampton: £40m star now 'one to watch' at St Mary's

Southampton are desperate to hold onto Kyle Walker-Peters this summer, but he could still be a big-money departure from St Mary’s, according to The Sun journalist Tom Barclay.

Saints have already seen the likes of Fraser Forster and Shane Long exit since the end of last season, while Armando Broja’s loan from Chelsea has come to an end, but Walker-Peters has also been linked with a move away from the south coast.

According to The Sun, Southampton have attempted to deter suitors by slapping a £40million price tag on Walker-Peters.

The report suggests Everton have been keeping a close eye on the two-cap England international, while Tottenham Hotspur could swoop for less than the amount Saints are looking for thanks to boasting a £30million buyback clause.

Spurs negotiated the set fee when they agreed to make Walker-Peters’ loan switch to Southampton permanent just shy of two years ago.

But Everton and Tottenham are not the right-back’s only admirers as it is understood that he features on Manchester United and Arsenal’s shortlist of targets.

Walker-Peters has three years remaining on his £50,000-per-week contract at St Mary’s, but there has reportedly been no progress in relation to fresh terms.

Barclay believes that £40million is the price tag Southampton have set for Walker-Peters ahead of the September 1 transfer deadline.

While he understands that boss Ralph Hasenhuttl wants to see the 25-year-old remain on Saints’ books, the journalist feels there is still a possibility that a move could be sanctioned.

Barclay told GIVEMESPORT: “Kyle Walker-Peters is going to be an interesting one. I think £40million sounds about right, from the last time I was checking this out.

“They don’t want to let him go, but it is one to watch