Manchester United: Southampton thwart fresh attempt by Red Devils to sign Sadio Mane

Southampton have rejected a fresh attempt by the Red Devils to sign Sadio Mane during the ongoing January transfer window. Louis van Gaal is keen to add more speed and goals to his attacking department but will have to wait until the summer to complete the move.

According to the Mirror, the Saints are unwilling to let the midfielder leave midway through the season, despite being aware that a summer move is on the cards after Mane refused to sign a new contract with the south coast club. The Senegal international has been a revelation since arriving at St Mary's from Red Bull Salzburg and his performances have attracted interest from top clubs around Europe.

The Red Devils are not the only interested club, with the report suggesting that they could be in for a battle with Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and Premier League rivals Chelsea during the summer transfer window. The Dutch manager was keen to complete the transfer in January, with the report claiming that the Old Trafford club were ready to offer £30m ($43.8m), but the Saints are ready to stand firm and hold on to Mane at least until the summer.

The 23-year-old midfielder, who plays on the left wing for Southampton, is contracted to the club until 2018, but has refused a new deal making it clear that he is thinking of a move away in the summer. The report, however, claims that the Senegalese star, whose place in the team was thrown into doubt when he infuriated the manager after arriving late for a team meeting, is calm with regards to his future despite the attention from top European clubs.

Mane's teammate Victor Wanyama, meanwhile, has also been linked with a move away during the ongoing transfer window with Arsenal said to be keen on signing the Kenyan international. The Gunners are keen to snap up a defensive midfielder as cover for the injured Francis Coquelin and have made the Southampton man one of their priority targets. The north London club, however, are also set to be disappointed with the Saints hierarchy making it clear that he will not be sold in January. The report claims that the club will hold for at least £20m if interested clubs want to sign him in the summer.