Wanyama eyes Cardiff as Saints contract collapses

Victor Wanyama’s planned move to Southampton collapsed after the Celtic midfielder failed to agree personal terms. The Premiership club was given permission to open talks with the 21-year-old on after Celtic accepted a fee close to £12million (about Sh1.6 billion).Wanyama has a positive feeling about interest from Cardiff and hopes the Welsh club also have a bid accepted. Cardiff manager Malky Mackay is desperate to sign the Celtic star but his club may see a fee of around £11m as their limit. Wanyama said: 'My manager Neil Lennon told me of Southampton's offer but while the bid was okay for Celtic, the terms were not right for me and my agent. I am open to what offers are made but I am relaxed and its important Celtic are happy too. My dream, like any young footballer, is to play in the Premier League and maybe that is the next step for me.

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Born: June 25, 1991 (age 21), Nairobi, Kenya

Weight: 76 kg

Height: 1.88 m

Siblings: McDonald Mariga, Thomas Wanyama, Mercy Wanyama,Sylvester Wanyama

Teams: Celtic F.C. (#67 / Midfielder), Kenya national football team (#12 / Midfielder)

Parents: Noah Wanyama, Mildred Wanyama

Victor-wanyama celebrate celtic-2-0-dundee-september-2012

Wanyama is in no rush to leave Parkhead and won’t be forced to go unless the deal suits him.Wanyama shot to fame in Celtic’s run to the last 16 of the Champions League, scoring in the 2-1 win over Barcelona. His displays at the heart of Celtic midfield has also not gone unnoticed with analysts likening his style to Ghana international and Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien.He has been a hot property in the transfer market with several clubs including Arsenal, Cardiff, Stoke, Galatasaray and Inter Milan, Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool all being linked with him. Wanyama who is on holiday learnt about his transfer talks through media. The deal (with Southampton) is still far,” Wanyama said. Should a move to any of the EPL sides mature, Wanyama will make history by becoming the first Kenyan to play in the coveted league. Elsewhere, Pep Guardiola will hold his first press conference on Monday as Bayern Munich head coach with club captain Philipp Lahm insisting the European champions wants to embark on a new era.  Celtic bought Wanyama for £900,000 from Belgian side Germinal Beers hot two years ago and the Kenya international has two years left on contract.