Midfielder Speaks Out About Failed Arsenal + Tottenham Moves

The summer transfer window may be closed but managers are already thinking ahead to future transfer windows so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today,  Morgan Scheiderlin speaks out about his failed potential moves to Arsenal or Tottenham.

Morgan Schneiderlin has spoken out about his frustration at being denied a potential move to Arsenal or Tottenham Hotspur this summer, according to the Express.

Schneiderlin was strongly linked with a move away from St Mary’s this summer with North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham reportedly leading the chase for his signature.

The Gunners were on the look-out for a long-term replacement for Mikel Arteta and Arsene Wenger had supposedly offered the French international a lucrative contract to make the switch to the Emirates, while further speculation suggested that Schneiderlin was keen on linking up with former boss Mauricio Pochettino at White Hart Lane after they too made their interest known.

However, the midfielder was forced to vent his frustration on Twitter after Southampton refused to let him join the likes of Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Dejan Lovren and Luke Shaw in leaving the club.

The 24-year-old appears to have now accepted his situation and although he maintains his wish was to join a team competing in the Champions League or Uefa Cup [Europa League], he acknowledges that the ball was in Southampton’s court as he still has three years left on his contract and trying to force a move wouldn’t have been beneficial to his career.

“My situation was simple: at the end of the season my goal was to take the next step and join a club playing in the Champions League or the UEFA Cup.

“There were offers on the table but Southampton made a clear choice, which was to keep me after the departure of certain players.

“They look to me for the future.

“I was ‘blocked’ but I must accept that because I have three years remaining on my contract.

“I could not afford to make a fuss and not play. I owe a lot to Southampton, who enabled me to make the France national team.

“I could not afford to go and clash with supporters who have always been cool with me.

“It would not have cool for me to end up in an endless showdown.” Schneiderlin is quoted as saying by the Express

Spurs ended up signing Benjamin Stambouli from Montpellier so it looks like Pochettino may have filled his defensive midfield void, but Arsenal failed to bring in another midfielder this summer so you wouldn’t be surprised to see the Gunners renew their interest in Schneiderlin either in January or next summer.

The French international has been superb in the middle of the park for the Saints over the past few years and has rightly forged a reputation as one of the best holding midfielders in the Premier League, so he deserves his chance at the big time soon and I’d be disappointed if Ronald Koeman didn’t grant him a move if the likes of Arsenal come calling again.