West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui apologised to a reporter as he refused to give away details of his talks with owner David Sullivan about the upcoming January transfer window.
Lopetegui is adamant about not getting distracted by the upcoming transfer window as his role remains under a watchful eye given the team's sluggish start despite a spendthrift summer.
The Hammers are currently on an unbeaten streak across three games, yet a loss to bottom-placed Southampton on Boxing Day could see Lopetegui's tenure wobble once more.
With Liverpool in line to visit prior to the turn of the year, Lopetegui's prospects look uncertain. "The best sign that I can have is that my players are focused on Southampton," he pointed out.
"There is no more space in my mind now, only this. I insist a lot but this is true. I repeat it because it is true, the only truth that I believe β to be focused on the next match. After, we will see what is going to happen."
When probed about funds for squad enhancement from owner Sullivan, Lopetegui declined to comment. "The talks I have with David, I am not going to tell you here, I am sorry," he insisted.
"We talk a lot about the team, about the current squad and about the next challenge β but the only focus we have now is Southampton."
Absent through suspension against Southampton is Lucas Paqueta, after racking up five yellow cards. However, Carlos Soler returns from his one-match hiatus and is likely to fill the gap.
Soler has climbed his way up to becoming one of West Ham's key players following his temporary switch from Paris St Germain, despite initial struggles to find playing time.
Lopetegui has voiced optimism about his player's progress, noting: "Carlos is doing well. Itβs true that at the start, he had difficulties β that happens in the Premier League to a lot of players.
"The Premier League is different for a lot of reasons, despite being a good player you have to adapt and sometimes that takes time.
"Carlos did and step by step he is improving and helping the team. Now I think he is ready to help us over the rest of the season."