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Nathaniel Clyne has dealt Manchester United a blow by indicating he could sign a new contract at Southampton.

United are in the market for a right-back this summer and England international Clyne, out of contract next year, was identified as a potential target along with Everton's Seamus Coleman and Barcelona's Dani Alves.

But since Clyne switched agents earlier this month Southampton have become increasingly confident the 24-year-old would remain at St Mary's next season.

And when Clyne, who rejected United to join Southampton in 2012, was asked about whether his club career could have a detrimental impact on his first-team status at international level, he appeared to be unconcerned.

"As long as you're playing well for your club and you're doing ever so well in the Premier League then, yeah, you'll get a chance, regardless of whether you're in a top team or not," he told Sky Sports News.

"But Southampton's pushing up, so why can't we be a top team?"

Southampton finished a credible seventh, despite seeing coach Mauricio Pochettino leave for Tottenham and a raft of first-teamers follow, including United left-back Luke Shaw.

The club appeared to be getting impatient with Clyne over contract talks and the former Crystal Palace defender only said last month he was 'ambitious' and determined to play in the Champions League.

David Moyes was prepared to lodge a bid for Seamus Coleman last summer, however his sacking scuppered those plans and the Irishman signed a new five-year contract at Goodison Park.

Brazilian Alves, 32, is expected to leave Barcelona at the end of the season.

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