Arsenal and Tottenham target Victor Wanyama is in contract talks with Southampton, reports the Daily Express.
Saints executive director Les Reed has confirmed that the South Coast outfit want to tie down the 24-year-old to a five-year deal. The player was linked to both North London clubs over the summer, but it seems that his current side are determined to keep him.
“We’d like to tie him down for another five years,” said Reed, “whether that’s possible or not, I don’t know, but the opportunity is there to do that.”
The Kenya international asked to leave the St. Mary’s stadium in the dying days of the transfer window, but manager Ronald Koeman refused to sanction a sale [BBC]. The Dutchman may have wanted to hold on to the midfielder after having already lost Morgan Schneiderlin to Manchester United earlier in the summer.
It would have been a major blow if both were to leave the side in short succession after being so important to their success in the 2014-15 season. Southampton finished seventh last time round, with the duo vital to their fortunes throughout the campaign.
SEE MORE
Arsenal transfer news
Tottenham transfer rumours
Embarrassing! Arsenal fans FAIL to turn up at Arsene Wenger protest
Neither Arsenal or Tottenham ended up signing a central midfielder in the transfer window, and this development could mean that one of their targets is unavailable by the time the transfer window opens again in January.
This is not the first time that Wanyama has apparently shown a desire to leave Southampton. Back in June, the player had to deny a story from The Sun, in which he talked up the Gunners’ interest in him [Daily Mirror].