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Victor Wanyama offered new five-year deal by Southampton

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Southampton executive director Les Reed is hopeful Victor Wanyama will stay at the club

Southampton have opened talks with Victor Wanyama about a new five-year deal after his rumoured transfer to Tottenham failed to materialise.

The Kenyan midfielder was linked with a move to White Hart Lane and Sky sources understand he asked to leave St Mary's in order to push things through.

But Mauricio Pochettino - Wanyama's old manager at Southampton - never submitted a bid and the former Celtic player remains in Ronald Koeman's squad.

Koeman did not select Wanyama for Sunday's 3-0 win over Norwich, saying the 24-year-old was not "mentally and physically good enough to play".

Now, with the summer transfer window closed, Southampton are bidding to tie him down on a long-term contract.

Koeman was keen to retain Wanyama after losing Morgan Schneiderlin to Manchester United and ultimately got his wish.

Southampton executive director Les Reed confirmed discussions about a new agreement, which would keep Wanyama at the club until 2020, have begun.

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He told Sky Sports News HQ: "We've already tried to start negotiations on that. We've 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.

Southampton's Victor Wanyama (left) and Newcastle United's Georginio Wijnaldum battle for the ball
Image: Les Reed believes Wanyama (left) thought he would end up at Tottenham this summer

"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's over, he's gone home to Kenya and I think he'll enjoy some time with his family and come back and be settled and raring to go in our team."

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