Southampton insist Dejan Lovren will not be sold, amid strong Arsenal and Tottenham interest

Dejan Lovren joined the Saints last summer from Lyon

Southampton will not entertain any approaches for Dejan Lovren this summer, according to the Express.

Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool have been linked heavily with the Croatian defender in recent weeks, with the latest reports suggesting that The Gunners were set to pip their North London rivals to the signing.

Lovren joined Southampton last summer in an estimated £8.5 million deal from Lyon and settled in quickly under Mauricio Pochettino’s guidance.

His composure at the heart of Southampton defence attracted the attention of numerous Premier League parties, who have registered their interest this off-season.

However, The Saints are standing firm over the sale of the 24-year-old, insisting that Lovren won’t be the fourth first-teamer to leave St Mary’s this transfer window, following the sale of Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana to Liverpool, and Luke Shaw’s move to Manchester United.

Meawhile, newly instated Saints boss Ronald Koeman is working furiously to recruit replacements for the departed trio, with a deal for FC Twente midfielder Dusan Tadic rumoured to be completed yesterday.