Southampton boss Ronald Koeman eager to tie up Bertrand, Alderweireld and Clyne long-term deals

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman is eager for Nathaniel Clyne, Ryan Bertrand and Toby Alderweireld to commit their long-term futures to the south coast club.

Saints once again find themselves in a position where their brightest talents have attracted envious glances from the Premier League elite.

Koeman's side are however looking to establish themselves as exactly that this season, with Champions League qualification likely to prevent any sort of player exodus that befell the club last summer.

Nevertheless, the Dutchman is eager for his stars to commit to the club's long-term vision sooner than later.

With the club having already offered Clyne a new contract amid growing interest from Manchester United, they are also hopeful of Bertrand and Alderweireld, whom Saints have the option to buy outright from Chelsea and Atletico Madrid respectively, will make their decisions known soon.

"We would like to know fast what the player likes, if there is any possibility to buy that player, and that is the case with Ryan and Toby," Koeman told a press conference, PA Sport report.

"Of course, we don't put exactly a deadline on it but we would like to know it soon what the plans are of the players.

"If it is yes and we can do the deal, then fantastic. If not, OK, then we need other players, we have players in the Under-21s who can play in those positions.

"I think it is important the club is growing, the team is doing very well and the players are very happy. They have got the possibility to play in the case of Ryan and Toby. I think we have good possibilities to sign those players."

After signing Luke Shaw for £30m last summer, Manchester United have become increasingly linked with a move for Saints' right-back Clyne. The England international has 18 months remaining on his current deal at St Mary's and Koeman is eager for the player to agree a new contract, although he and Southampton are still to hear back from the former Crystal Palace starlet.

"It is a little bit the same as we would like to know what the player is doing because it all influences the plans with what we would like to do," Koeman continued, when asked about the right back.

"They are important players in the club, like in the case of Jack Cork [who has also been offered a new deal], as well as Toby, Ryan and Clyney.

"We try to do our maximum to keep these players because they are good players and still at a good age to develop."