Southampton will snub any bids for Sadio Mane, says Ronald Koeman
Thursday 26 November 2015 23:32, UK
Ronald Koeman insists Southampton will reject any offers for forward Sadio Mane in January.
The 23-year-old joined the Saints from Red Bull Salzburg last September and netted 10 goals during his first season in England, which included him scoring the fastest ever hat-trick in Premier League history in the 6-1 thrashing of Aston Villa in May.
Mane, who has scored six times so far this campaign, is reportedly attracting interest from Chelsea and Manchester United ahead of the January transfer window.
However, Koeman is adamant Mane and other key members of his first-team squad will not be sold in the New Year.
"Rumours aren't important: we will sell nobody," the Southampton manager said.
"You can ask again about Sadio, Man United, Chelsea, but we will sell nobody in January."
Southampton's impressive Premier League stabilisation under Mauricio Pochettino only ended with a host of raids on the club's top talent.
Koeman has since fought to stem that tide, though France midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin still joined United last summer.
The Dutchman believes Southampton can still bolster their profile enough to allow developing stars to progress at the same rate as the club.
But Koeman admitted the lure of Champions League football still remains a sticking to point to convincing serious talents to commit to mid-level clubs in the long-term.
"That's great, if it's really like that, it's great," the 52-year-old said on potential interest in Mane.
"Because the player is developing himself, with all the help from the technical staff and the rest of the players.
"But it's the reason why the team and the club is growing, and why we have 18 international players.
"They are showing qualities, and then of course big teams are interested. It's a normal progress of players who are developing themselves.
"In my opinion it's not about money, it's about ambition of players and people.
"Of course we don't play in the Champions League and we don't fight for the title, and that's a normal ambition for players to reach the highest level possible."
