Southampton tell Arsenal how much it will cost to sign Victor Wanyama

SOUTHAMPTON will resist Arsenal's attempts to sign Victor Wanyama this month - but are reportedly prepared to accept a deal in the summer.

 

Ronald Koeman (left) wants to keep Victor Wanyama at Saints for the season

 

Arsenal have been suitors of the defensive midfielder ever since he joined Southampton from Celtic in a £12.5million deal back in 2013.

Manager Arsene Wenger is seeking to bolster his midfield in the January transfer window and is reportedly preparing a bid.

But the Daily Mirror claim Southampton will reject any advance for their star man.

 

It is thought Saints boss Ronald Koeman is growing frustrated with losing his top players to Premier League rivals.

Since Koeman's arrival, Luke Shaw, Nathaniel Clyne, Morgan Schneiderlin, Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Calum Chambers have all been sold.

Sadio Mane, meanwhile, is being chased by Manchester United and Saints have reportedly already rejected a bid for their star forward this winter.

 

A compromise appears to have been struck up with the manager and officials at St Mary's that will see Wanyama available to leave at the end of the season.

Arsenal will still have to raise £20m for the Kenya international but are expected to pay the fee.

 

Wenger has already begun his transfer dealings this winter with the signing of Mohamed Elneny from Basel set to be confirmed this week, once the Egypt international secures a work permit.

But Elneny's arrival doesn't solve Wenger's defensive midfield crisis, with Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla out injured until late February and both Jack Wilshere and Mikel Arteta on the road to recovery.