According to Sky Sports, manager Arsene Wenger has denied reports claiming Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama is Arsenal’s priority target for the January transfer window.
The Kenyan international has gained plenty of admirers since moving to St. Mary’s from Celtic in summer 2013, his powerful and imposing 6 foot 2 frame proving a real menace in the Saints’ midfield. The enforcer is enjoying good form yet again this season, averaging 2.5 tackles, 2.5 interceptions and one successful dribble per match.
Tottenham Hotspur saw a bid rejected for the 24-year-old during the summer whilst Chelsea have been linked more recently, but the latest reports from Mirror Football moot Arsenal as his likeliest suitors for the January transfer window following a long-term injury to Francis Coquelin – even dubbing him as their ‘priority target’.
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Physical, consistent and well-proven in the Premier League, Wanyama is a strong candidate to fill the Frenchman’s void in the Gunners’ engine room. Former star Robert Pires even urged the north Londoners to launch a swoop for the 35-cap international earlier this month.
But when quizzed on Arsenal’s reported interest during today’s pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa on Sunday, Gunners gaffer Arsene Wenger responded; “I rate the player, but we are not on the case.”
That could, however, be due to Southampton’s transfer policy. Earlier this month, manager Ronald Koeman insisted none of the club’s players will be available for any price in the coming transfer window, telling reporters; “Already we spoke about that situation. We sell nobody in January. Nobody – not even if they pay £100m.”