Dragan Solak: Southampton owner on transfer plans

A decision over Eckert’s future could be taken out of Solak’s hands should the FA’s ongoing investigation conclude with a verdict that could ban the German coach.

Prior to being thrown out of the play-offs, Saints were flying high as one of the form teams in the second tier.

They went on a run of than 21 games unbeaten in the Championship and made their way to an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

Players including Leo Scienza, Shea Charles and Taylor Harwood-Bellis played a key role and could now gather the attention of Premier League sides this summer.

While Solak said the club do not need to sell their best players, if an offer makes sense to them, they would not stand in their way.

“We don’t have any pressure (to sell) that’s for sure,” Solak added.

“We want to have the best possible team and do what is good for certain players, in order to keep the flow of talent coming, sometimes it’s needed to show the next step.

“If a player wants to play for Manchester United, if a young player thinks I’m not ready for them but I should go to Southampton because they will give me a chance and develop me, I will end up where I dream.

“So at the moment we have our place in the food chain which I’m not necessarily against, and we’ll see whether we can change this reality in years to come, but this is where we are now.”