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Nigel Adkins has told any clubs interested in signing Luke Shaw or Rickie Lambert: "All the best with that."

Arsenal are ready to launch a raid for teenage starlet Shaw who has been impressing at left-back for Saints this season.

Manchester City and Chelsea are also keen on the 17-year-old but St Mary's boss Adkins says the youngster is not for sale.

"I've not read any of the newspapers," he said. "I think Luke gets linked every week with Arsenal, doesn't he?

"Luke is under contract, he is playing football for us in the Premier League, which is important.

"We are not looking to let him go anywhere if anyone wants to come in for any of our players, by all means speak to the chairman. He does the deals and all the best with that."

Adkins was similarly dismissive about rumours linking Rickie Lambert with a move away from the club.

Arsenal have previously signed Southampton academy graduates Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Arsene Wenger has admitted he decided to sign Oxlade-Chamberlain after watching just one video clip.

(Image: Clive Mason)

Wenger said: “I first saw him on tape. He looked ­lightning quick and was a good dribbler as well. We liked that.

“I had enthusiastic reports about him and we sent different people – ­everybody said he was something special.

“When I saw him you could see in his movement and first touch that he had something special. He is only 19 and people forget that.

“The question of ­Southampton’s academy set-up is a very good one because they have done a fabulous job.

“Why? It is down to the quality of their scouting, the quality of their coaching and ­education. When you look at what Bale is doing, and Walcott.

“And now they have they players like Morgan ­Schneiderlin, they have brought some players of top quality and they work well. They have fantastic scouting.

“Alex is becoming slowly a team player. He came from lower league, where he had a super time to do what he wanted.

“He is learning his trade – to defend together and pass the ball well, integrate into the combinations. That is what he is learning every day here.”