Southampton reportedly made an offer to take Phil Foden on loan in January but had their bid rejected by Manchester City.
The Saints are understood to have been one of three Premier League teams to have expressed an interest in signing 18-year-old Foden during the last transfer window.
Related: Foden In Line For City Start
The England Under-21 international is one of the hottest prospects to come out of the City youth academy but has struggled for regular first-team opportunities, despite being highly thought of by Citizens boss Pep Guardiola.
Southampton were ready to offer Foden more first-team experience, as were Newcastle and Bournemouth, but Guardiola decided the midfielder was best served staying put.
Foden, who has only played four times for City since the turn of the year, was one of several names linked with a switch to St Mary’s in January, only for the south-coast outfit to fail to make any additions to he playing staff.
Got what it Takes?
Predict and Win Millions Now