Ralph Hasenhuttl rules out Che Adams sale

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl is adamant the club will not sell Che Adams this summer amid interest from Everton, The Athletic understands.

It was understood that Southampton were open to selling Adams earlier this summer following an underwhelming pre-season campaign. 

He was left out of the Saints’ 4-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur on opening day but returned to the starting lineup in the 2-2 draw at home to Leeds United.

Adams failed to score against Leeds but found his goalscoring boots when he came off the bench to score twice against Leicester City, earning Hasenhuttl’s side their first win of the season at the King Power Stadium.

The Scottish striker remains a target for Everton, who are short on attacking options following Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s injury.

The Toffees are also struggling to hold on to academy graduate and Chelsea target Anthony Gordon, prompting Frank Lampard’s side to go in search of reinforcements.

Nottingham Forest also hold a long-term interest in the Scotland international but have cooled their interest after signing Taiwo Awoniyi and Emmanuel Dennis.

Despite strong interest from Everton, Hasenhuttl has made it clear he does not want the 26-year-old to leave. 

He said: “I can categorically say that he’s our player and he will stay with us and that we love him, especially when he scores goals. He’s our player, and we will definitely not sell him this summer.”

“You are maybe more in the rumours than I am because I’m more concentrating on how I can help him to score goals.”

“But I have seen his mode in the last week change completely since we changed the shape and since we play in a different way. And this definitely helps him.”

“This is the reason why I think he feels more comfortable in this role than he was before.”

Adams was Southampton’s second-highest goalscorer last season with seven goals. His tally was only bettered by club captain James Ward-Prowse who netted ten times. 

The former Birmingham City striker struck twice in the Carabao Cup when his side overcame Cambridge United on Tuesday.