Harambee Stars skipper Victor Wanyama in high demand

NATION CORRESPONDENT IN LONDON

The top three clubs in the English Premiership have all expressed an interest in buying Kenyan captain Victor Wanyama according to reports in the UK press.

Leicester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are all said to be considering bids for the 24-year-old Southampton midfield player according to Sky Sports, the Sun, the Express and the Daily Star.

Wanyama, who scored a penalty for Kenya in the recent friendly game against Tanzania, is out of contract next summer having reportedly refused to sign a new deal with the south coast side.

(READ: Dull Stars held at home by Tanzania)

He has a buy-out clause which would cost his suitors £25 million (about Sh3.8 billion), double the amount the Saints paid when he transferred from Celtic in 2013.

The Sun claimed that Wanyama was ready to force a move from Southampton by snubbing a five-year deal, in a bid to play Champions League football next season.

The Defensive midfielder made a transfer request to join Mauricio Pochettino at Spurs last summer but Saints maybe reluctant to sell to their former manager after bad blood emerged between the clubs over Tottenham’s purchase of Toby Alderweireld, who Southampton believed was about to sign for them.

Arsenal have also tracked Wanyama’s progress over he past 18 months and are reported to be keen to sign him in a revamp of their midfield.

(READ: Last-gasp Mandela strike rescues Stars)

Champions Leicester City meanwhile who have become increasingly concerned over the future of N’Golo Kante’s at the club, following intense transfer speculation, see Wanyama as a natural replacement.

The Kenyan captain has emerged as a key player at Southampton over the past year, catching the eye with a series of impressive displays at the heart of Ronald Koeman’s midfield.

He was linked with a move away from the south coast last summer, with both Tottenham and Arsenal among his many suitors.