Newcastle United & Liverpool transfer targets spotted at training ground as manager makes ‘convince’ claim

Newly-appointed Southampton boss Russell Martin hopes to convince some of his players attracting Premier League interest to stay at St Mary’s.

Newcastle United have shown interest in both James Ward-Prowse and Kyle Walker-Peters but the only Saints player they have submitted a genuine bid for is right-back Tino Livarmento.

That said, negotiations between Newcastle and the Championship club are currently at a standstill due to the difference in valuation. Southampton want more than £30m for Livramento, whereas United have only bid as high as £21m.

There have been suggestions that Livarmento is keen on a move to St James’ Park but the former Chelsea youngster is among those Martin is hoping to retain.

He told HampshireLive: “I think there’s always different groups of players, whether that’s at MK Dons or Swansea, where there are the players that are all in from the start, they understand the potential of the way we play and how we can make them look,

“And then you get some of them, maybe looking at it again and thinking ‘this could be interesting’. And there are the ones who might want to go back to the Premier League and hopefully, they’re going to look and go ‘actually, it won’t be the worst thing in the world if we end up staying’, so that’s my job to convince them.

“I’ve been really honest that the individual chats we’ve had and I said you know even the ones who think they’ll end up back playing in the Premier League and want to, and there’s interest for them, as long as they give it all they’ve got while they’re here, they owe that to the club after last season in particular.”

Chelsea are entitled to a hefty sell on clause should Livramento be moved on. The Blues sold the England under-21s full-back for just £4m two years ago.

The 20-year-old spent 12 months on the sidelines because of an ACL injury before returning in May to feature in remaining Premier League fixtures against Brighton and Hove Albion and Liverpool.

Also attracting English top-flight interest is Romeo Lavia with Liverpool reportedly preparing a bid.

The majority of Saints players - including those linked with moves away - have been at their training this week preparing for the new season.