Arsenal and Tottenham on alert as Morgan Schneiderlin rejects new Southampton contract

Arsenal and Tottenham are on alert as Morgan Schneiderlin has reportedly refused to extend his contract with current club Southampton.

According to the Mirror, the Saints hierarchy are concerned that the French midfielder will decline the offer of a new contract and try to force a move to one of the bigger clubs in the Premier League.

Southampton blocked Schneiderlin's summer move to Tottenham, but Mauricio Pochettino is still keen on bringing the midfielder to White Hart Lane and could make a move for the midfielder during the January transfer window.

On the other hand, Arsene Wenger is also keen to sign a defensive midfielder and is a big admirer of his compatriot, and there could be a bidding war between the two clubs to sign the midfielder next month.

Schneiderlin, though currently injured, has been in fine form for the Saints this season, and is one of the key reasons for their phenomenal start to the Premier League season.

It is believed that the club have offered him a new contract worth £50,000-a-week and are willing to make him the highest paid player at the club. But the French international has himself revealed in the past that he desires to play for a big club in the Champions League.

Meanwhile, Arsenal teenager Gideon Zelalem, who made his Champions League debut during the Gunners' 4-1 win over Galatasaray, has revealed his delight at playing Dutch star Wesley Sneijder, who plays for the Turkish club.

"He's won the Champions League, so to be able to play against him was very good. He's a top player and hopefully I can win the Champions League as well one day," Zelalem told Arsenal's official site.

"I can learn from the way he switches the ball, his quick feet and things like that."

"All your life you work for this moment, so to be able to play was very good. You dream of that as a boy - coming on in the Champions League. I was watching it last year and now I'm playing in it, so it's great," the Germany U-17 midfielder added.