Manchester United have been dealt a blow in their attempts to sign Southampton's Nathaniel Clyne, after the fullback hinted that he could sign a new deal at St. Mary's.
The Reds Devils, who are reportedly eager to sign a new right-back due to manager Louis van Gaal not being satisfied with the performances of Rafael this season, have been linked with an £18 million summer move for Clyne.
However, they may be forced to look at other alternatives, after the 24-year-old defender suggested that he could fulfil his dreams of playing for the England national team, even if he remains at Southampton.
"As long as you're playing well for your club and you're doing ever so well in the Premier League then you'll get a chance, regardless of whether you're in a top team or not," Clyne, who joined Southampton from Crystal Palace for an undisclosed transfer fee in the summer of 2012, told Sky Sports.
"But Southampton are pushing up. So why can't we be a top team?"
Meanwhile, van Gaal says that Manchester United's chances of winning the English Premier League title next season depends on how well they can improve the balance of the squad this season.
After managing a top-four finish in the Premier League this season, the Red Devils will be hoping to challenge for the title in 2015/16.
And the Dutchman, despite insisting that he is looking forward to a "fantastic challenge" next season, insists that his side's Premier League title aspirations are directly proportional to how they fare in the transfer market this summer.
"The board of Manchester United shall say now we have to battle for the championship! I think it's a fantastic challenge but it is also dependable on how we can purchase good players and how we can improve the balance in our squad," the former Bayern Munich boss told Manchester United's official website.
However, he insists that he will be trying his best to help United win silverware next season.
"But the board brought me here to win titles," van Gaal added. "I want to win titles for the fans but also for myself. The biggest challenge is what your ambition is, and my ambition is to win titles. It is not easy, everybody knows that and we shall fight till the end and I will give everything in me to build a team as champions."
