Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:22 pm
Posted Sunday, June 23 2013
Victor Wanyama’s proposed move to Southampton collapsed on Sunday after the Celtic midfielder failed to agree personal terms.
The Premiership club were given permission to open talks with the 21-year-old on Saturday night after Celtic accepted a fee close to £12million (about Sh1.6 billion).
According to reports in the Scottish press, Wanyama’s representatives were far from impressed by the deal on offer and Saints know they will have to significantly increase the personal terms to have any hope of signing him.
Wanyama has a positive feeling about interest from Cardiff and hopes the Welsh club also have a bid accepted.
Cardiff manager Malky Mackay is desperate to sign the Celtic star but his club may see a fee of around £11m as their limit. Wanyama is in no rush to leave Parkhead and won’t be forced to go unless the deal suits him.
Wanyama shot to fame in Celtic’s run to the last 16 of the Champions League, scoring in the 2-1 win over Barcelona.
Big clubs chasing his signature
His displays at the heart of Celtic midfield has also not gone unnoticed with analysts likening his style to Ghana international and Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien.
He has been a hot property in the transfer market with several clubs including Arsenal, Cardiff, Stoke, Galatasaray and Inter Milan, Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool all being linked with him. On Friday, Wanyama told Daily Nation that he was yet to make contact with any club but has only read reports in the media.
“I’m on holiday. I only learnt about it (transfer talk) through the media. The deal (with Southampton) is still far,” Wanyama said.
Should a move to any of the EPL sides mature, Wanyama will make history by becoming the first Kenyan to play in the coveted league.
Elsewhere, Pep Guardiola will hold his first press conference on Monday as Bayern Munich head coach with club captain Philipp Lahm insisting the European champions want to embark on a new era.