• Premier League

Schneiderlin: I couldn't force Southampton to sell me

Morgan Schneiderlin joined Southampton in 2008 from Strasbourg © Getty Images

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Morgan Schneiderlin says he owed Southampton too much to force them into selling him this summer and had to put his dream of European football on hold.

He was linked with moves to Arsenal, Tottenham, Borussia Dortmund and Napoli in the transfer window and was ready to leave.

However, following the departures of Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Calum Chambers and Luke Shaw, the possibility of Schneiderlin going too quickly diminished.

"My situation was clear: at the end of the year, my aim was to leave to make a step up and play in a club that was in the Champions League or the Europa League," Schneiderlin told French radio station RMC.

"There were offers on the table, but Southampton made a clear choice, which was to keep me after the departures of several key players. They're counting on me for the future.

"They blocked, me, I have to accept that. I still have three years left on my contract. I couldn't allow myself to sulk and not play. I owe a lot to Southampton, who have enabled me to get into the French national side.

"I couldn't allow myself to go against the supporters, who have been great with me. It wouldn't have been cool on my part to launch into an endless fight."

Schneiderlin, 24, signed for Southampton from Strasbourg in 2008 and was involved in the team that earned back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League.

Impressive performances in the league last season earned him a place in France's World Cup squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

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