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Ronald Koeman says his Southampton side may have to qualify for the Champions League this season to avoid ANOTHER summer exodus.

The Saints were left reeling during the last close-season, when England stars Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw and Rickie Lambert, and manager Mauricio Pochettino, were among a host of departures.

The south-coast high-fliers will face a battle to keep Manchester United target Nathaniel Clyne and key midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, wanted by Arsenal, when the current campaign ends.

Three Lions striker Jay Rodriguez is also attracting interest from Liverpool and Tottenham, despite being out since last April with a serious knee injury.

Boss Koeman, whose side are fourth going into Saturday’s trip to struggling QPR, said: “Maybe it will be a question for these players that they like to play European football and the Champions League.

“If there is any interest in these players, it will be easier for us if we play European Cup football to keep them. That’s always an important reason for a player to stay.

“I know the situation. We are Southampton and if we are doing well there is always interest in players, and it’s up to the success of the club.

“I like this, rather than to be on the bottom and there is no interest in the players.”

Saints enter the weekend level on points with fifth-placed Arsenal, and ahead of improving Tottenham and Liverpool.

Koeman reckons Saints’ lack of European and FA Cup commitments will give his side an edge.

He added: “That’s an advantage for us. We know for Tottenham and Liverpool it is normal they will fight for the places up in the table. They need European football. We like to have it, but the chairman does not say to me, ‘If we don’t reach European football, you did a bad job.’”