SAINTS midfielder Will Smallbone is reportedly being monitored by several Premier League and Championship clubs.

Luton Town, Nottingham Forest and AFC Bournemouth are said to be interested in signing the Irish international this summer.

Championship sides Blackburn Rovers, Hull City and Sunderland are also reportedly eyeing a move for the Southampton academy graduate.

The 23 year old only has one year left on his current Saints contract, something which the Daily Mail report is an encouraging factor for his potential suitors.

The Basingstoke-born midfielder has featured heavily in pre-season and has drawn praise from his new manager, Russell Martin, who likened Smallbone to a ‘new signing.’

Speaking to the Daily Echo after Saints pre-season friendly against Reading, the former Scotland international said: “Will Smallbone coming back is like a new signing.

“He’s someone who really cares about the club, wants to be here and wants to prove to everyone that he’s ready to make an impact.

“He came back later than everyone else because he had internationals. I tried to sign him at Swansea and we couldn’t as we had too many midfielders, so he knows how we feel about him.

We really liked him before and he’s someone who really suits us, he can play in a few different positions and that can really help us.

“I’m sure he would be happy to play every game, but it is up to him to maintain his standards.

“He’s flexible in position and we have a few like that, hopefully, he enjoyed himself – we enjoy watching an academy graduate play in the first team.”

Smallbone spent last season on loan at Stoke City, where he made 46 appearances across all competitions.