Charles Thuku @PeopleSports11
Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama has reiterated his desire to stay at English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur despite speculations that the team is planning to do away with him.
Wanyama, a defensive midfielder, said he is willing to fight for his place at the team despite the Lilywhites signing Frenchman Tanguy Ndombele for a club record fee of €62 million (Sh7 billion) from French giants Lyon who plays in the same position as his.
“I still have a running contract with Tottenham Hotspur and I must say it is my wish to see it out. My relationship with my fellow players as well as fans has been fantastic. For now, I’m enjoying my holiday in Kenya hoping to link up with my colleagues later,” said Wanyama, who has two years remaining on his Spurs contract.
Wanyama’s sentiments come hot on the heels of reports that he is poised to collect his British passport over the coming weeks.
The 28-year-old Kenya international turned down a move out of England last year to make sure he qualified for his passport after residing in the United Kingdom (UK) for over six years.
Though his last season was blighted by a niggling knee injury, Wanyama finished the campaign strongly and played three games in nine days for Kenya in the African Cup of Nations, completing 90 minutes in each.
Kenya lost 2-0 to Algeria before recovering to down Tanzania 3-2 in the second match. However, their hopes of progressing to the Round of 16 as one of the four third best losers were thwarted following a 3-0 hammering by Senegal.
Wanyama played a large part in Kenya’s Afcon campaign, his best display coming against Tanzania where he almost scored from a header.
Reports in the UK claim Tottenham are willing to listen to offers for Wanyama among other stars as manager Mauricio Pochettino looks to build a title winning side, having struggled to finish fourth last season as well as reaching the UEFA Champions League final where Spurs lost 2-0 to Liverpool in Madrid.
His injury struggles have resulted in limited Premier League interest but he could move abroad.
