Saints will redouble their efforts to get Victor Wanyama to commit to a long-term contract at the club.

The Kenyan midfielder is in the final 18 months of his current deal.

Saints have being trying to persuade him to sign a new five-year contract for several months, but have thus far had no joy.

Wanyama tried to force through a move to Tottenham before the close of the summer transfer window, and is continually being linked with the likes of Spurs and Arsenal.

Arsene Wenger has admitted he likes the midfielder, but there is no expectation that Wanyama will leave Saints in January.

However, the club are in a similar situation with Wanyama as they found themselves with Nathaniel Clyne.

Talks over a new deal rumbled along in the background without ever reaching a conclusion and then, when the summer arrived and there was just a year left, Saints were forced to sell faced with the prospect of losing him for nothing.

Saints boss Ronald Koeman said: “There are some players on the list when I spoke to Les Reed that the club is trying to talk to that kind of player about contracts, longer stay, and Victor is one of them.”

He added: “I know because we had that problem at the beginning of the season that players have also ambitions to play on a higher level.

“It’s all about if there is really interest in the player and the player gets really interest and he likes to move.

“I don’t know. We have to wait about it.”

Koeman has not spoken to Wanyama about the situation, but will keep a keen eye on developments.

“I think it’s still too early to talk to the player because he still has a contract after this season,” admitted Koeman.

“Ok, we will see what happens on the end of the season.

“It’s too early now to talk about the situation.”

Wanyama’s situation is one of the reasons it remains important Saints to keep pushing on this season, rather than settling in midtable.

“It’s always important for players if players see the club is growing, the team is growing, the team is fighting for European football, that’s always a difference of football players to stay or not to stay,” reflected Koeman.

“Finally we know our situation, we know our position, and still there is a difference between Southampton and the big clubs in the Premier League.”

One player into the final six months of his contract is Gaston Ramirez.

The £12m man is not expected to be offered a new deal, but whether he sees out the rest of the season at Saints or not depends if there are clubs wanting him.

“That depends on if there is any interest for Gaston. We will then speak with the board and with the player,” said Koeman.

“If not then he will finish his contract.”