Southampton chief exec Phil Parsons says Romeo Lavia won't be sold "on the cheap".

Saints want £50m for the Belgian with bids from Liverpool and Chelsea falling short.

"We are looking at all options, but let's be realistic," Parsons told BBC Radio Solent Sport. "We've got 30-plus players and we don't need 30-plus players. We're actually in a position to make sure the finances balance out quite well and you do get hit substantially being relegated.

"We can trim the squad, we can sell assets if we want to. We won't be selling assets on the cheap. And that's why we stood firm on a few.

“We will develop a lot of players over the coming years and there will be players who gone on to join top-four clubs but we won't be doing it 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. We won't be saying just yes to any offer through the door.

“Southampton is a great club and if you do well for Southampton and deserve a move, maybe we'll look at it but let's focus on Southampton first and doing well and then we'll talk about other clubs second."