A Saints full back is being linked with Chelsea – and for once it’s NOT left back Luke Shaw!

Speculation has been rife that Shaw, 17, is a target for the reigning European champions even before be broke into the Saints team last November.

But today it’s Saints right back Nathaniel Clyne who is linked with a £7.5m switch to Chelsea, who by coincidence visit St Mary’s for a Premier League clash next weekend.

Clyne, 22 next month, had not played in the top flight when Saints shelled out around £2.5m to sign the youngster from Crystal Palace last summer.

But he has emerged as a regular under first Nigel Adkins and then Mauricio Pochettino, and has started 26 of Saints’ 30 Premier League games.

Clyne is also a regular member of Stuart Pearce’s England under-21 squad, and played the first 74 minutes of last Thursday’s friendly win against Romania at Wycombe Wanderers.

He is expected to feature again for England under-21s against Austria at Brighton tomorrow night.