Man United target Kyle Walker-Peters will leave Southampton if they are not promoted | OneFootball

Southampton manager, Russell Martin, has admitted that it will be impossible to keep Manchester United target Kyle Walker-Peters at the club if they fail to win promotion to the Premier League.

The Saints currently sit fourth in the Championship and are guaranteed a playoff spot.

However, they could also still finish in the top two automatic places if results go their way over the next three or four games.

In regard to Walker-Peters, the 27 year old has been an integral part of the side’s promotion push, playing 39 games in the league, scoring three times.

It was reported last year that United had earmarked the Englishman as a possible replacement for Aaron Wan-Bissaka but no move came to fruition.

Furthermore, Southampton’s boss has already warned United in January that the player would cost a lot of money if they wanted to prise him away from the St Mary’s Stadium.

However, there seems to be a change in mood as of late according to recent comments from the Saints’ boss.

Speaking to the Daily Echo Martin stated, “I think if we get promoted it becomes a lot easier to keep him”.

“If we don’t, we won’t keep hold of Kyle. There’s no point in pretending otherwise really, financially for the club and Kyle’s ambitions as well”.

“Kyle was great, he didn’t kick up one fuss this summer. There was a bit of interest but not enough to tempt him or the club into him leaving. He dealt with it professionally and really well which is why he’s having such a good season, at no point did he not try and give everything”.

“We have to get promoted to keep a lot of these guys together. That’s the fact. If not, then my job will become different in the summer in terms of how the squad looks and the people we have”.

His boss then lavished praise on the full back stating, “he’s just a brilliant, brilliant footballer. Intelligent footballer. Technically really gifted. He’s really brave with the ball, can do a lot of things with it and I think he’s been really important for us”.

It is clear that United are in the market for a right back as in spite of Diogo Dalot’s improved play, the defence is still a massive issue at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils have been regularly linked with Denzel Dumfries and Jeremie Frimpong to bolster their wingback options.

Therefore, if Walker-Peters becomes available for an attractive price, it could be a smart move for INEOS to pursue, or at least consider in this summer window.

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