Morgan Schneiderlin still disappointed at not leaving Southampton this summer but had to be 'cool' and get on with life at the club

French international was linked with Arsenal and Tottenham

Morgan Schneiderlin (Getty)

Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin has admitted he wanted to 'take the next step' and join Arsenal or Tottenham this summer but knows he must now get on with life at the South Coast club.

The 24-year-old looked likely to follow Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren out of door after handing in a transfer request, unhappy at the club selling their top players.

Mauricio Pochettino also left the club but new boss Ronald Koeman managed to convince the French midfielder to stay.

Schneiderlin has now admitted that after Southampton made it clear they would not sell him he decided not to kick up a fuss and settle in to life at a club he felt he 'owed'.

"My situation was simple: at the end of the season my goal was to take the next step and join a club playing in the Champions League or the Europa League," Schneiderlin told the Evening Standard.

"There were offers on the table but Southampton made a clear choice, which was to keep me after the departure of certain players. They look to me for the future."

Despite the massive upheaval Southampton have four points from their opening three games and were hugely impressive in a 3-1 win at Upton Park; Schneiderlin scoring twice against West Ham.

He added: "I was 'blocked' but I must accept that because I have three years remaining on my contract. I could not afford to make a fuss and not play. I owe a lot to Southampton, who enabled me to make the France national team.

"I could not afford to go and clash with supporters who have always been cool with me. It would not have been cool for me to end up in an endless showdown."