Niemi clarifies comments
Goalkeeper Antti Niemi is adamant he does not want to quit Southampton.
Antti Niemi is adamant he does not want to quit Southampton, claiming his comments over the weekend were taken out of context.The Finland international was quoted as saying he would willingly talk to Manchester United or Arsenal if there was the chance to join either of the Premiership titans.
In an interview with a Sunday newspaper, the goalkeeper admitted he could not spurn the chance to discuss a switch to Old Trafford or Highbury.
But, while acknowledging he did give the interview, Niemi claims his comments were given a different slant to the one he intended.
Niemi insists he wants to stay at St Mary's to help the club retain their Premiership place and is not trying to engineer a move to a bigger team.
"I did a 30-minute feature with the newspaper in question," Niemi told the club's official website.
"In the middle of the chat he asked about the transfer window and the usual speculation and I said I take no notice of it.
"He asked what would happen if Manchester United or Arsenal came in for me and I told him that any player in the world would at least talk to them because they are massive clubs.
"They win trophies and are huge clubs so if Southampton ever wanted to sell me and agreed a fee then I would talk to them.
"That was all there was to it. I did not say I am looking to move or that I want to go to these clubs.
"It was just a passing comment in response to a leading question. I could not believe it when I picked up the paper. None of the rest of the interview was there, just this one comment out of context.
"I am very happy at Southampton and I am fully focused on helping us get out of trouble.
"It is vital for the club, the fans and the city that we stay in the Premier League and that is my sole concern right now."
