Ralph Krueger: Southampton do not have to sell their best players anymore

Southampton chairman Ralph Krueger sat down with various members of the football media yesterday to talk about various aspects of the club and the summer ahead.

Krueger touched on various topics, such as the reported Chinese takeover not affecting Saints' transfer dealings (via Simon Peach of the PA) and how Claude Puel's performance in the 2016/17 campaign will be assessed by the club in the weeks following the season's close (via Adam Leitch of the Daily Echo)

But the biggest news for Saints fans emerged from another article produced by Peach with excerpts of his interview with Krueger pertaining to the club's transfer policy this summer. And, by the sound of it, it's positive news.

With captain and defensive stalwart Virgil van Dijk heavily linked with a move away from the club, Krueger claims the club is now in a position where it doesn't have to sell its best players any more.

"Here we sit in the summer of '17 and we now have 18 top, or above average, Premier League players under three or more year contracts," Krueger told Peach. "We actually have 12 players that have more than four years, so 49 months, left on their contract and even a couple with 61 months.

"So 18 players have more than three years, gives us control over the summer for the first time. We will decide if anybody goes and we will decide who comes in, in the best interests of the club.

"We do not need to sell any player for the first time since I've been here."

Krueger has always talked a good game, so this summer will be a good test to see if the chairman isn't filled with bluster. Krueger's words are very much in line with the sentiments of Puel, who said van Dijk wouldn't be leaving the club earlier in May.