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.