MOHAMED Elyounoussi says he is "in dialogue" with Saints regarding the possibility of new contract.

The 27-year-old looked to be on his way out of the club following two years out on loan at Celtic.

However, the Norway international returned to Saints last summer and played a key role under Ralph Hasenhuttl.

Elyounoussi made 33 appearances in the 2021-22 campaign, scoring eight goals. Only James Ward-Prowse (11) and Armando Broja (9) netted more for the club.

His current deal is understood to expire in the summer of 2023, but Elyounoussi revealed he is speaking with the club about potentially extending his stay.

"We are in a dialogue," he said, in quotes translated from an interview with Norwegian outlet TV2.

"We've been talking for a while. It has only been the starting phase, you might say.

"I've always said I thrive in Southampton, it's a fantastic club.

"The family thrives well. We'll see what we land on.

"I do not have the whole picture yet."

He added: "We work with several things at the same time."

TV2 claim multiple clubs have expressed an interest in signing Elyounoussi, including teams in the USA and Premier League outfit Leicester City.

The forward joined Saints from FC Basel for a fee of around £16million in June 2018.

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