We can see where Southampton are coming from here.
Ronald Koeman is suffering a bad case of ‘second season syndrome’ this term at St Mary’s.
The Dutchman could do no wrong last season, but this year his Southampton team are misfiring and are currently in 13th position having won just six times in the current Premier League campaign.
So we can understand why the club would not want one of the few brights sparks in their season to just up and leave in January.
Saido Mane has been one of the stars of the opening half of the season, and it’s no surprise that he has been linked with a mid-winter move away from the south coast of England to more northern, or even European, climes.
But according to the Daily Mirror the player has been flat out told to sit down and get comfortable as he’s going nowhere in January.
The forward is rumoured to have been Manchester United’s main transfer target this month with the club willing to shell out £30million for the attacker.
However, Ronald Koeman has no intention of letting his prizes asset leave the club which will disappoint Mane”s other suitors, including Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
Mane missed the weekend’s game against Norwich after turning up late for a team meeting and is udnerstood to be keen to leave the club.