Morgan Schneiderlin open to Southampton exit to fulfil Champions League dream

Morgan Schneiderlin has admitted that he is open to leaving Southampton at the end of the season should the club fail to seal a Champions League spot.

Ronald Koeman's side are currently six points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United with eight games left to play.

Last season, Schneiderlin was heavily linked with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, but despite deciding to stay put, the 25-year-old is ready to leave at the end of the season in order to compete in Europe's elite competition.

"In August, I wanted to take a move but the club had lost too many players to agree to sell me," L'Equipe quotes Schneiderlin as saying.

"Since then I have had discussions with the leaders and I want to play at the highest level: it is important at 25 years old to finally know the Champions League.

"Given that, late in the season, Southampton may qualify for the Champions League and I can stay, who knows."

Schneiderlin has been with the Saints since 2008.