SAINTS CEO Phil Parsons says the club are in a position where they don't need to sell their key players for cut-price deals this summer.

Parsons' comments come after director of football Jason Wilcox revealed in an interview with the Daily Echo that Saints will be standing firm on their valuation of prized assets.

Southampton have rejected bids for Romeo Lavia and James Ward-Prowse from Liverpool and West Ham respectively during the summer transfer window, due to their offers falling short of what the club deem the duo to be worth.

Saints have, however, already sold Mohammed Salisu for around £17 million to AS Monaco and have agreed a deal to sell Tino Livramento to Newcastle for £40 million.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent ahead of Saints' 1-2 win over Sheffield Wednesday on Friday night, Parsons reaffirmed their transfer plans: “We are looking at all options.

"I’m actually quite fortunate that I’ve come into a club that has 30 plus players and we don’t need 30 plus players.

“We are actually in a really good position to make sure that the finances balance out quite well.

“You do get hit substantially by being relegated.

"We can trim the squad and we can sell assets if that is what we want to do, but we won’t be selling assets on the cheap and that’s why we have stood firm on a few.

“We will develop a lot of players over the coming years I’m sure. There will be players who go on to top four clubs. 

“But we won't be doing that at a cheap rate, we will be doing it at the going rate. If clubs want to place offers with us we will look at them, but we won’t just be saying yes to any offer that comes through the door."

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When asked how the players have reacted to Saints' decision to hold out for the full valuation of their best assets, Parsons added: “The players have been great. 

“It’s been a new experience for me dealing with players and there are some really good lads in the squad.

“They all want to perform well on the pitch.

"I don’t think there’s a problem with the boys because Southampton is a great club and if you do well for Southampton and you deserve a move, maybe we will look at it.

“But let’s focus on Southampton first and then we will talk about other clubs second.”