EPL Transfers: Southampton Still Keen on Victor Wanyama, According to Celtic Manager Neil Lennon

Jul 08, 2013 01:28 AM EDT

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has confirmed Southampton are still in the hunt for their midfielder Victor Wanyama.

The deal to bring Wanyama to St Mary's was thought to have ended when Wanyama failed to agree on personal terms with Southampton, after Celtic accepted a bid from the English Premier League club.

However, according to Lennon, a deal could still be done, with Southampton still extremely keen on signing the 21-year-old.

"I had a chat with Victor and he's a wee bit confused but what we gather is that Southampton have re-ignited their interest," Lennon told the Sunday Mail.

"They've shown an interest again and the bid is there. It's all about the negotiations between Saints and the agent now. I'd imagine that might get the ball rolling again.

"I've only seen Victor for a couple of days but he trained with the rest of the squad who didn't play against Cluj.

"If nothing materialises, he'll play some of the (friendly) game on Tuesday against Greuther Furth."

Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino believes the club being linked to the likes of Wanyama shows how ambitious they are ahead of the new season.

"There are some rumors of different players joining Southampton and a lot of agents have linked us with players," he told the Daily star.

"That shows that Southampton is a very professional club, a serious club and an ambitious one.

"It's not just Wanyama that we're looking at. There are a couple more players we are expecting to talk to.

"All the players I have heard mentioned are good footballers and I think they'd all be happy to come here -- but perhaps we don't have a place for all of them!"

Pochettino also believes new signing Dejan Lovren, bought from Lyon for around £8.5 million ($12.6 million), can solve the club's defensive problems.

"We're very clear about our goals and Lovren was one of them," he said.

"He is quality as a player, has a presence on the field and he's good at solving difficult situations.

"I think his qualities will really suit the Premier League, so we're very happy to have him and to bring him into this project."

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