Thursday 23 April 2015 17:27, UK
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has accepted Victor Wanyama's statement in which he dismissed reports linking him with Arsenal.
It has been reported in the media that the Kenyan midfielder could be on his way to the Emirates, with Wanyama quoted as saying: “Arsenal are a great club and I’d love to play Champions League football.”
However, the 23-year-old took to Twitter on Thursday to clarify the situation.
"To put it straight: We all respect Arsenal but right now I'm only focused on helping Saints to have a strong finish to the season," he wrote.
"The newspaper article does not say that I have spoken to Wenger or anyone else from Arsenal - and that's the truth.
"We are doing so well and what other managers think of me as a player is totally out of my control."
Koeman, Wanyama's manager at Southampton, has said he believes his player after speaking to him on Thursday morning and is just keen to focus on securing a Europa League spot for next season.
Koeman said: “He said it’s not true what they put in the press and I believe the player.”
With five league matches remaining, Saints are vying with Liverpool and Tottenham to see who finishes fifth, sixth and seventh in the Premier League table.
Koeman added: “We had a meeting with all the players because what we need now is to have the focus on the last five games.
“We must try and play for a European position. We have a massive game this Saturday (at home to Tottenham) and I have no interest in rumours in the press about the future and contracts.
“It’s about football, not the future or the contracts. And I don’t answer any more questions about players’ contract.
“If you do well, as we’re doing, there’s always interest in players. But all the players are in contract next season and there are no serious bid for the players. We really need to concentrate on the football side.”
