How Southampton really feel about keeping Leo Scienza as Leeds United, Aston Villa lurk | OneFootball

Southampton are confident of keeping Leo Scienza at the club amid heavy interest from Leeds United

Southampton are right in the automatic promotion race after a truly incredible run of form, and are confident in retaining the services of one of their star players this summer amid interest from Premier League sides.

Southampton claimed a 2-1 win away to Swansea City at the weekend, with Cameron Archer's late winner putting the Saints just one point off 2nd-placed Millwall and two points ahead of Middlesbrough.

Tonda Eckert's side is now 19 games unbeaten, winning 11 out of their last 12 in all competitions, propelling up the Championship table and awaiting a date with Manchester City at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final.

It's been a truly incredible turnaround at St Mary's, with Southampton hovering in and around the relegation zone when Eckert took charge, and with three games to go, automatic promotion is within reach.

Promotion would be an incredible achievement for the club, as, although they were playing top-flight football just last season, nobody expected them to bounce back in this manner after the beginning of the campaign.

The Saints will face a battle to keep hold of some of their star assets in the summer in any instance, with one player in particular attracting more interest than most.

Southampton are confident of keeping Leo Scienza at the club amid interest from Leeds United

Leo Scienza joined Southampton from German side FC Heidenheim in the summer for a reported fee of €8-10 million (£6.9-7.8 million), and after a slow start to life in Hampshire, has quickly become one of the league's most outstanding players.

The Brazilian, now 27, has had an unconventional journey to this stage, playing in the lower reaches of Brazil, Uruguay, Sweden, and Germany before getting his break with Heidenheim in the top flight, and is now starring in the English second tier.

Now with seven goals and ten assists in 34 Championship games, it's unsurprising that he is attracting interest from elsewhere, with the likes of Leeds United, Everton, Aston Villa, Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur all tracking his situation.

Brazilian publication RTI Esporte reportedly revealed last week that Scienza has a £25 million release clause in his contract at St Mary's, and that Southampton were keen on offering him fresh terms.

Now, it has been reported by FootballInsider that Southampton are confident of keeping the Brazilian at the club this summer despite strong interest from the likes of Leeds, with Aston Villa having also been linked.

Their chances of retaining his services almost definitely increase if promotion to the Premier League is secured, but the Saints are said to be confident of keeping him around in any instance.

Now into his late twenties, Scienza will be keen to reach the pinnacle of football as quickly as possible to prolong his career at the highest level, and the attraction of Premier League football will be difficult to resist if promotion eludes Southampton.

Eckert's side will have numerous motivations for securing promotion, with retaining Scienza certainly being one of those, though they remain in the driving seat when it comes to negotiations for the Brazilian, with his current deal at the club running until the summer of 2029.

Southampton are heading into the summer confident of keeping Scienza, but interest in the winger is set to be rife, and whether their confidence will prove to be justified remains to be seen.

Tonda Eckert will be eager to keep hold of Leo Scienza this summer after Southampton's 'confidence' claim

Few will be hoping to keep hold of Scienza more this summer than head coach Eckert.

Whatever division Southampton are playing their football in next season, Scienza will almost certainly remain a key player for the Saints.

If Southampton do indeed fire themselves back to the Premier League, the Brazilian will have been a key aspect in that success, and Eckert will likely be doing everything he can in his power to keep him at the club in any instance.