Koeman in shock update as Saints boss confirms Tottenham and Man Utd deals not happening

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman is standing firm and says his players are not for sale

RONALD KOEMAN claims Sadio Mane and Victor Wanyama are not for sale amid speculation linking the pair with Manchester United and Tottenham.

 

United made an initial bid of £15million for Mane which was turned down and they are understood to be preparing a second offer in excess of £20m.

Meanwhile, Wanyama is reported to be a target for Spurs but the Southampton boss claims talk of a transfer is wide of the mark.

 

"Listen, there is no bid for any player. Not for Wanyama, not for Sadio, not anyone," Koeman said.

"We have to deal with rumours of the press and maybe somebody of Manchester - I don't know.

"There is no contact and no bid for nobody and we don't sell any more players. 

 

Sadio Mane was the subject of a £15million bid from Manchester United

Tottenham are understood to be interested in signing Victor Wanyama

"That is very clear in my opinion. I don't like [these rumours] because maybe players are thinking and they are not then focused on what they have to do.”

Koeman had to watch on as his squad was picked apart by the Premier League big guns after he took the reins last summer.

Luke Shaw was prised away by United, while Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Rickie Lambert all joined Liverpool.

 

Even Arsenal got in on the act by taking Calum Chambers to the Emirates.

It's been a similar story in the current transfer window, with Morgan Schneiderlin joining United and Nathaniel Clyne moving to Anfield.

And Koeman is hoping in to avoid more exits but admits keeping his best players is a difficult task.

 

"It is the worst situation for the smaller clubs because nobody talks about the best players of Manchester City, United or Chelsea, because they are in the best place to be," he added.

"But teams like Southampton - they have to deal with this and that is not easy. It makes rumours and everyone is talking about it. 

"We have to play and that is difficult.

"If they don't change the window from September 1, we will always have these rumours."