Morgan Schneiderlin Explains Failed Summer Move Following Tottenham Interest

Former Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal target Morgan Schneiderlin is hoping to put his failed attempt to leave Southampton during the summer transfer window behind him and repay the club's supporters.

France international Schneiderlin was tipped to follow Luke Shaw, Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Calum Chambers out of St Mary's during a summer of transition on the south coast.

Former Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino was keen to be reunited with the 24-year-old at White Hart Lane but the club told the player he would not be sold, in a successful attempt to quell the Saints' player exodus.

This prompted a furious response from the France international, who took to Twitter to express his frustration with the club's actions.

Just over a month on from the debacle, Schneiderlin has explained the saga was down to his desire to play European football, but insists he is now happy to remain at Southampton.

"My situation was simple. I wanted to take the next step and play for a club playing in the Champions League or the Europa League," the midfielder was quoted as saying by Le Sport 10.

"There were offers on the table but Southampton made their choice clear about keeping me as there were a number of departures this summer. They look to me for the future.

"They blocked [a move away] and I must accept that I have three years left on my contract and cannot afford not to play. Southampton, who I owe a lot to, have [given] me the opportunity to stake my claim for a spot in the French squad.

"I could not afford to clash with the club's supporters who have been very good to me. It would not have been the right way to leave the club."

Schneiderlin has begun to repay Southampton fans with an excellent start to the season under the management of Ronald Koeman, scoring twice in the club's first three games.