Southampton offer Victor Wanyama new five-year deal to draw line under Tottenham transfer saga

Southampton have entered talks with Victor Wanyama over a new long-term deal after a prospective move to Tottenham Hotspur failed in the final days of the summer transfer window. Saints boss Ronald Koeman opted to leave the midfielder out his match day squad during the 3-0 win over Norwich City, saying the 24-year-old was not "mentally and physically good enough to play".

Tottenham's attempts to sign the player continued until the penultimate day of the mercato, according to the Daily Mail. That pursuit coincided with the player requesting to leave the south coast club, as reported by BBC Sport, but Koeman insisted his player would not be sold. The club are now determined to tie Wanyama down to a new long-term contract.

Southampton executive director Les Reed told Sky Sports News: "We have already tried to start negotiations on that. We have offered him the opportunity for a long-term extension. We'd like to tie him down for another five years. Whether that's possible or not, I don't know but the opportunity is there to do that.

"He was a little bit unsettled and I think that has to happen probably at most clubs with different players. The speculation does raise a few eyebrows. Maybe it got a little bit too hyped up and maybe Victor thought there was a bit more truth in the rumours than there was. Now it is over, he is gone home to Kenya and I think he will enjoy some time with his family and come back and be settled and raring to go in our team."

Southampton's determination to hold onto Wanyama was fuelled by Morgan Schneiderlin's summer move to Manchester United, with Koeman adamant the club would not lose two key midfielders in one transfer window.

"Maybe it is good for Victor to talk to Morgan, because I think he is more happy now than he was last year even to do the move he wanted at that moment," Koeman said on 30 August. "After losing again for this season some good players, it was the same statement we did with Morgan last year. No change, nothing. We need that commitment from the players."