Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl admits he's frustrated with Danny Ings' contract situation.
Ings is entering the final season of the three-year contract he signed in the summer of 2019, and if the club cannot agree terms with him, they will either have to sell him or risk losing him for free in 2022.
Hasenhuttl said: "We need this player, we want him to play for us. But it's never helpful to go into the last season with one year left - this is what I think he should know. Messages like he doesn't accept our contract, he doesn't want to extend his contract, doesn't help nobody (sic) - not him, not us.
"I don't know who sent these messages, it's not coming from our side, definitely not. We have no interest in blaming the player or finding he's not feeling good here at this club, no interest in not helping perform the best he can for us. It's his position and if it's like this, it would be a pity."