Southampton are ready to open contract talks with midfielder Victor Wanyama.

The Kenya international has two years remaining on his current deal but Southampton want to protect their asset, a player who cost them £12.5million.

They were forced to strike a deal with Liverpool for Nathaniel Clyne after allowing his contract to run towards its final 12 months and don't want that to happen with Wanyama. The 24-year-old has been a mainstay in Southampton's last two Premier League campaigns helping protect one of the best defensive records in the division.

Southampton will open contract talks with midfielder Victor Wanyama as they continue to build around him

Yet he has seen the club sell Clyne, Dejan Lovren, Luke Shaw, Calum Chambers and Morgan Schneiderlin while there are also concerns over the future of Jose Fonte.

Wanyama has been watched by Arsenal and Tottenham in the past but has developed under Ronald Koeman who is keen to continue building around him.

Southampton have signed Jordy Clasie but also sent scout Andreas Fehse to watch Schalke's Leon Goretzka in the friendly against Twente on Sunday.

Wanyama has seen a host of players leave Southampton including Morgan Schneiderlin to Man United

Koeman's side are willing to pay up to £11.2m but Schalke are reluctant to sell the 20-year-old Germany international.

Schalke general manager Horst Heldt told BILD: 'We do not have the intention to sell Leon (Goretzka), Leon Goretzka is under contract at our club.'

Southampton are also waiting on Virgil van Dijk coming through unscathed for Celtic against Qarabag in their Champions League qualifier on Wednesday. They are ready to make a formal offer of around £8million.