Nathaniel Clyne says contract negotiations will continue with Saints over the coming months, amid speculation linking him with a £20m move to Manchester United.

The 23-year-old is fast approaching the final year of his current deal, which is due to expire in the summer of 2016, with the club having already made moves to extend his stay.

Saints will not sell any key players this month, but Ronald Koeman revealed last week that he wants to hear answers by April from a number of stars, including Clyne, over their futures.

The England right-back explained that talks will continue as the season progresses, but he indicated that no firm decision on his St Mary’s future is likely to be taken until that deadline, later in the campaign.

“My contract, we’re still negotiating,” said Clyne.

“I’m negotiating with my agent and also with the club so, yeah, we’ll wait until April.”

Clyne, who has become a senior international this season, is reportedly a top target for United boss Louis van Gaal in the summer.

Saints will hope their prospects of keeping him beyond this term will improve if the team can continue their fine league form and secure a European, and possibly even a Champions League, berth.

Despite Saturday’s disappointing FA Cup exit at home to Crystal Palace, Clyne is confident the side can maintain the sort of results that have taken them to third place in the Premier League.

“We’re optimistic,” he said. “We have got a good side.

“We know that we can continue the league form, the good run of form that we’re in.

“We had some tough away games, we got the wins, so we’re going to start again next game against Swansea.”

Clyne was frustrated, however, at an uncharacteristic Saints performance during the first half of the 3-2 defeat against Palace.

The Eagles became only the second team this season, after Manchester City, to score three times in a single game against Ronald Koeman’s men.

“We’re known for having such a solid defence, and having a good defensive record and keeping a lot of goals out,” said Clyne.

“It just seemed a bit odd that we conceded the three goals. That’s unlike us.

“But I’m sure we’ll go over it next training session and we’ll work on our weaknesses.”

Clyne added: “Hopefully we can learn from our mistakes and we can strengthen from the result today.”

With the only two sides above Saints in the Premier League, Chelsea and Manchester City, suffering shock FA Cup exits at the weekend, Clyne admitted it was particularly disappointing to have gone out.

“It’s a missed opportunity, with the real big teams losing,” he said.

“It’s a bit of a shame that we didn’t get the win that we came here looking for and trying to get through to the next round, but we move on.”