MORGAN Schneiderlin returned to Saints for pre-season training yesterday, with the club still waiting to receive a bid for their star midfielder.

While Nathaniel Clyne's move from St Mary's to Liverpool is imminent, Schneiderlin is not on the brink of an exit as it stands.

The France international is attracting the interest of Manchester United, but, while they are understood to have made an initial enquiry about him earlier this month, there has been no approach from them since.

It would not surprise Saints if a formal bid does materialise, but they had still not received one by the time the player arrived at their Staplewood training base yesterday.

That was confirmed by manager Ronald Koeman in an interview with the club last night.

"Until now, we have not a serious bid for him from Man United," he said.

 

 

 

United would undoubtedly have the spending power to afford Schneiderlin, who would likely command a fee of about £25m, especially as he still has two years to run on his contract, and a defensive midfield player is a priority for them.

But Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger is also on their radar, and the Reds may well look to see how their pursuit of the Germany international develops first.

Schneiderlin, who has also been considered by Arsenal, has previously stated that, if he was to leave Saints in this transfer window, it would be for a club competing in the Champions League.

Saints have targets in mind should the 25-year-old go this summer, but they have begun their preparations for the new season with him.

Schneiderlin was among the initial batch of players to report back to Staplewood yesterday, as manager Ronald Koeman held his first session ahead of the 2015/16 campaign.

He was joined by club captain Kelvin Davis and Jay Rodriguez, with the forward ready to begin a full pre-season programme after missing the entirety of last term with a knee injury.

Two of the club's three new signings were also present, as Spain striker Juanmi and Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg arrived for their first day of training.

The other new addition, Portugal right-back Cedric Soares, acquired from Sporting Lisbon earlier this month, is expected next week, when most of Koeman's squad will return, with anyone who was involved in international action over the summer being given some extra recovery time.

With many first-team players still absent, those who are present will train alongside the under-21s for the week.

Saints will depart for the first leg of their pre-season trips abroad early next week, when they head to Austria.

Their opening friendly is scheduled for Wednesday, July 8, against RasenBallsport Liepzig, before the Audi quattro Cup on Saturday, July 11, which also features Valencia, Werder Bremen and hosts Red Bull Salzburg.

Saints will then visit the Netherlands, for games against Groningen, KVV Quick 1920 and Feyenoord, before their opening Europa League fixture, on July 30.

They will also host Espanyol in a friendly at St Mary's, on Sunday, August 2, in between the two legs of their third qualifying round tie.