Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has insisted that no-one in his squad is available for transfer amid reports linking Victor Wanyama to Arsenal.
The Kenyan midfielder was a summer transfer target for Tottenham and submitted a transfer request in a vain attempt to force a move to north London.
Arsenal have also monitored Wanyama in the past but are reported to have stepped up their interest in the powerful anchorman as Arsene Wenger deals with an injury crisis that is set to leave him without Francis Coquelin, Santi Cazorla and Mikel Arteta until into the new year.
Koeman, who swiftly reintegrated the 24-year-old into the Southampton lineup following his failed request to leave, has insisted that he has no interest in allowing any of his first-team squad to depart St Mary’s in January.
Arsenal's midfield targets for January
“We are looking always at what we can do to make the squad stronger than we have,” he said. “We’re not about to make many changes in the team.
“If we need somebody it will be an offensive player, we have really good competition in our squad and we know that nobody is for sale.”
Southampton, currently in 12th place, travel to Selhurst Park on Saturday to take on Alan Pardew’s in-form Crystal Palace. Though the Eagles are currently six places ahead of their next opponents the gap between the two sides is just a point.
That comes despite Palace spending a net figure over £20 million greater than last season’s seventh placed side and Koeman is targeting an “important” win at the weekend.
“Every game is important,” he added. “It’s a difficult one; I think Crystal Palace is stronger as a team than last season. They have really good quality players. They’re physical, strong.”
