Morgan Schneiderlin claims to have verbally agreed to leave Southampton when he signed his new contract in February last year, but a change in the club’s ownership looks to have scuppered his chances of joining Spurs this summer.

The French midfielder wants to leave St Mary’s after witnessing the bulk of his team-mates leave the club. Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren have all joined Liverpool, while young left-back Luke Shaw was snapped up by Manchester United. Arsenal moved in for another young defender in Calum Chambers, and Dani Osvaldo also left the club after spending the second half of last season out on loan.

Schneiderlin has been expected to follow the trend after Spurs made an approach to sign the 24-year-old, but Southampton rejected the offer and stressed that there would be no more departures at the club during the current transfer window.

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The news, released by club chairman Ralph Krueger, infuriated Schneiderlin as he wanted to join up with his former manager Mauricio Pochettino at Spurs. He is now reported to be demanding the club honour their verbal agreement even if it was with the previous regime, although new manager Ronald Koeman insists he will not be sold.

Tottenham Hotspur: Potential transfer targets Show all 9 1 /9 Tottenham Hotspur: Potential transfer targets Tottenham Hotspur: Potential transfer targets Memphis Depay The PSV winger impressed for the Netherlands as an impact sub during the World Cup, scoring twice and adding an assist for Louis van Gaal's team. He was excellent in Eredivisie last season, scoring 12 goals as PSV finished second. Depay is quick, skilful and strong and plays on the left, a problem position since the departure of Gareth Bale. Getty images Tottenham Hotspur: Potential transfer targets Yevhen Konoplyanka Spurs are battling with a number of clubs for the tricky Ukranian winger, who impressed against Tottenham for Dnipro in the Europa League last season. Liverpool are also said to be chasing the quick winger, who can play on the left or right wing, while West Ham have already had a £9.5m bid rejected. Getty Images Tottenham Hotspur: Potential transfer targets Miguel Lopes The Sporting Lisbon defender spent last season on loan with French side Lyon, but the 27-year-old Portuguese international has been offered to Spurs on another loan spell with a view to a permanent deal Getty Images Tottenham Hotspur: Potential transfer targets Wilfried Bony Spurs and Liverpool must share a scouting department, because Bony is another player both teams are chasing. Playing mostly as a lone striker, Bony scored 16 Premier League goals, and 25 in total, in his first season in England. Fast and excellent in the air, Bony could flourish in a superior team. Reuters Tottenham Hotspur: Potential transfer targets Loic Remy QPR may have just been promoted, but the French striker, who spent last season on loan at Newcastle, is seeking a move elsewhere. He has been a long-term target of Spurs, and could be available for £8m GETTY IMAGES Tottenham Hotspur: Potential transfer targets Javier Hernandez There has been talk of Chicarito's unhappiness at being on the periphery of the Manchester United team. The Mexican could be a cut-price option to bolster Spurs' attack Getty Images Tottenham Hotspur: Potential transfer targets Nathaniel Clyne The 23-year-old is another impressive Saints' youngster that Pochettino knows very well. Would tally with Spurs' new emphasis on youth Getty Images Tottenham Hotspur: Potential transfer targets David Marshall The Cardiff goalkeeper made more saves (148) than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League last season, and would nudge Brad Friedel out of the way to be Hugo Lloris's No 2. Rivals Arsenal are reportedly weighing up a £15m bid Getty Images Tottenham Hotspur: Potential transfer targets Toby Alderweireld The Belgium international could be reunited with his former Ajax defensive parter Jan Vertonghen. Moved to Atletico last summer but has spoken of his unhappiness at the La Liga champions

The situation regarding Schneiderlin is just one of a number of problems that Koeman will need to address. Goalkeeper Artur Boruc is said to be incensed that England stopper Fraser Forster has been brought in from Celtic and immediately installed as number one at St Marys.

It’s believed that Boruc will hand in a transfer request should Forster start their first match against Liverpool on Sunday, and Saints will need to strengthen their squad further if they are to compete this season and stay away from the relegation dogfight at the bottom.

With six players heading out the door in recent weeks, the club have made just three signings this summer which includes the addition of a new striker – something that clearly wasn’t a high priority given Boruc’s fine form last season.