Southampton executive director Les Reed is hopeful Victor Wanyama will stay at the club Southampton executive director Les Reed is hopeful Victor Wanyama will stay at the club

Southampton have opened talks with Victor Wanyama about a new five-year deal after his rumoured transfer to Tottenham failed to materialise.

The Kenyan midfielder was linked with a move to White Hart Lane and Sky sources understand he asked to leave St Mary's in order to push things through.

But Mauricio Pochettino - Wanyama's old manager at Southampton - never submitted a bid and the former Celtic player remains in Ronald Koeman's squad.

Koeman did not select Wanyama for Sunday's 3-0 win over Norwich, saying the 24-year-old was not "mentally and physically good enough to play".

Now, with the summer transfer window closed, Southampton are bidding to tie him down on a long-term contract.

Koeman was keen to retain Wanyama after losing Morgan Schneiderlin to Manchester United and ultimately got his wish.

Southampton executive director Les Reed confirmed discussions about a new agreement, which would keep Wanyama at the club until 2020, have begun.

He told Sky Sports News HQ: "We've already tried to start negotiations on that. We've offered him the opportunity for a long-term extension.

"We'd like to tie him down for another five years. Whether that's possible or not, I don't know but the opportunity is there to do that.

Les Reed believes Wanyama (left) thought he would end up at Tottenham this summer

"He was a little bit unsettled and I think that has to happen probably at most clubs with different players. The speculation does raise a few eyebrows.

"Maybe it got a little bit too hyped up and maybe Victor thought there was a bit more truth in the rumours than there was.

"Now it's over, he's gone home to Kenya and I think he'll enjoy some time with his family and come back and be settled and raring to go in our team."