Southampton executive director Les Reed has claimed that the Champions League is a "realistic aspiration" for the club.

Ronald Koeman's side will compete in the Europa League this season, but Reed is confident that the Saints will eventually go one step further.

"When we talk about Champions League within the next five years, yeah, it's a dream, but it's a realistic aspiration," the Daily Echo quotes Reed as saying.

"We have to do it a step at a time. We have to be patient, because we don't have the ability to do it all in one hit. We have to build towards it and it's keeping on track - that's the plan."

Southampton finished seventh in the Premier League last season, 10 points behind the final Champions League spot, which was taken by Manchester United.