What Will Still has said on Adam Armstrong and Ben Brereton Diaz's Southampton FC futures | OneFootball

Both players were out of favour in the Premier League last season.

Will Still has claimed that both Adam Armstrong and Ben Brereton Diaz have futures with Southampton after growing speculation over the pair's futures at St Mary's.

January saw both forwards leave the south coast to pursue opportunities in Southampton's new division. Armstrong struggled to settle in with West Bromwich Albion, and, despite amassing 90 points, Sheffield United were unable to take their former spot in the Premier League back with the help of the Chilean.

They represented players that had strong second tier records but proved to be just not good enough for the Saints' newfound level.

It was reported by local journalist Alfie House, on BBC Radio Solent, that Armstrong was a player that Southampton were open to selling this summer. It has now been claimed by the club's new head coach that both he and Brereton Diaz are welcome to stick around.

Adam Armstrong and Ben Brereton Diaz offered Southampton lifeline by Will Still

The Anglo-Belgian told BBC Solent that he has had talks with some of his players that want to move on to the "next step," but didn't imply that either attacker was one of those.

"Those two definitely do [have futures at the club] and I’ve had good conversations," said Still. "They can be as important as they want to be really.

"They've got bags of Championship experience, they've got certain personalities that could be really useful. So it’s up to them if they want to be a part of it, and if they want to be important then go for it.

"I've had conversations with people that are looking elsewhere, that want to move on, that want to go to that next step, which is also fine. I'd rather have those conversations early on to know that we're all going in one direction or the other."

Will Still has to be prepared to cull some of his forwards this summer

Southampton probably should look to move at least one of the two players on this summer. With the arrival of Damion Downs, the number of attacking options available to Still has got to the point of being almost too many.

Ross Stewart's improved fitness towards the back end of last season will give the new boss something to think about if he can stay healthy throughout pre-season. His Championship record with Sunderland before joining the Hampshire side was impeccable, as was Cameron Archer's in his loan spell with Middlesbrough.

Sales will be a plenty at St Mary's in this window, with a number of their assets looking to return to the Premier League as quickly as possible.

Southampton this summer.