Southampton Defender talks Champions League and opens door to top four.

Chelsea are being constantly linked with a number of players as the rumour mill moves into full swing now we have reached the final weeks of the season. One player linked with Chelsea is Southampton's Nathaniel Clyne.

Clyne like many other players of late, has rejected a new Southampton contract offered to him and as a result had been dropped for this past weekend's game against Hull. It was a strange decision from Ronald Koeman bearing in mind Clyne had almost been an ever present, but putting the club first, the Dutchman decided to leave him out of the side which surprised the right back and possibly gave the biggest indication yet that the player will leave the South Coast side this summer.

Speaking to the press yesterday, Clyne spoke of being dropped and being linked with a move to one of the top four. He said:

“It was a bit of a shock but there are a lot of players fighting for positions and when you are not in the team you just have to keep fighting to get back in. Right now I’m just focused on playing for Southampton. There are still lots of points to play for.

I'm flattered by the interest from the big clubs. It shows that I'm doing well and I've had a good season.

Champions League football is everyone’s dream and hopefully we can do it for Southampton. I am an ambitious person and I want to play Champions League football. To win the title and the FA Cup, that is what I want."

It's the biggest indication that a move from Southampton seems likely in the summer. Let's not forget that there were clubs in for him last summer and there had been reports of bids around £10m being rejected. You can imagine Southampton will now want at least double that bearing in mind Clyne has forced his way into the England team.

I personally would sign him in a heartbeat. Branislav Ivanovic has had a disappointing few months at right back but still keeps his place in the team. I would prefer to have Clyne there instead next season.

What do you people think?