Ronald Koeman has swatted away rumours over a possible big money move for Sadio Mane by insisting “we sell nobody in January.”

The Saints boss was in defiant mood as he bids to ensure he keeps hold of his star players for at least the remainder of this season.

Both Manchester United and Chelsea have been heavily linked with January moves for Mane, and while Koeman believes any interest is a compliment to Saints, he insists the club have no intention of selling.

“It’s not important rumours. We will sell nobody,” he said.

“You can ask again about Sadio about Man United, about Chelsea, and we sell nobody in January.”

When asked further about the Mane rumours, he added: “It’s great if it is really like that. It’s great.

“The player is developing himself with all the help from the technical staff and the rest of the players.

“It’s the reason why the team is growing, why the club is growing, and why we have 17 or 18 international players.

“They are showing their qualities and then of course big teams are interested.

“It’s the normal progress of players who are developing themselves.”

Koeman is honest enough to admit that Saints are not a club who are necessarily viewed as the final pinnacle of the careers of some players.

Those with the talent and drive to play at the very highest level in the game will still want to move on, despite Saints’ recent success.

“In my opinion it’s not about money,” reflected Koeman. “It’s about ambition of players, of people.

“Of course, we don’t play Champions League, we don’t fight for the title, and it’s a normal ambition to reach the highest level possible.”

Koeman understands that part of the key to keeping players at Saints is for him to speak openly with them about their futures and their careers, and potential moves.

It’s something which he regularly does and which helps the squad know where they are.

“Daily contact to the player, you are not always talking about football or what happened today or this week,” he explained.

“You talk to players about future, what they think, what they like.

“We know, we are Southampton, and for some players it’s not the finish of the career as a player because they grow, they will be better, there will be interest in players and that’s normal.”