Arsenal transfer news: Morgan Schneiderlin confirms talks with Champions league club for transfer

Arsenal have received a massive boost in their pursuit of Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin with the Frenchman confirming that he will leave St Mary's in the summer for a club in the Champions League.

The Gunners have been heavily linked with a move for the player for a major part of the season and are likely to make a move once the transfer window opens.

Francis Coquelin's emergence has made the need a bit less pronounced for Arsene Wenger but the manager confirmed in an interview early in May that he will still splurge in the market for a player to work alongside Coquelin.

The Gunners have seen some high profile transfers over the past couple of seasons with an increase in their commercial revenue, allowing Wenger to sign the likes of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez. The midfielder is expected to be available for a fee in the range of £25m.

Schneiderlin revealed that talks are currently ongoing but he will not leave for a cut-price deal, which will be decided by the Saints in the summer.

However, the revelation will scupper Tottenham's hopes of signing the midfielder, with the team finishing fifth in the table and thereby getting themselves out of contention from the Champions league.

"Yes, I think my decision is made," Schneiderlin told the French radio station RMC.

"I learned a lot last season. The goal is to stay in England. It is a championship that I like and where I have a lot of fun. If I leave Southampton, it is for a club that plays better than the Europa League.

"There are ongoing discussions but nothing is done. But of course the Champions League is my goal. If I leave Southampton it will be for a club in the Champions League.

"I have a two-year contract. If a club pays the right amount for me, it will be time to leave.

"The amount? I have no idea but I will not leave for a small price. Southampton is known to be a good seller club, the price should be high enough," he concluded.