Saint Albert

It came from the Sun, who got it from the Star, who got it off some guy called Giulianelli on Tribal Football: http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/giulianelli-exclusive-arsenal-target-draxler-walcott-for-van-dijk-conte-in-mahrez-talks-4196636 So it's clearly nailed on to happen.

According to this, VVD is optimistic he'll end up at Liverpool before the transfer window closes... http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/virgil-van-dijk-liverpool-transfer-chelsea-arsenal-fray-deadline-day-news-live-a7918066.html

Happy days: Coutinho's "back injury" has recovered just in time for international duty with Brazil.

Seemed an odd thing for Le Tissier to do today, that Twitter survey asking Liverpool fans if they would be getting VVD. The Liverpool interpretation of this is that Le Tissier is doing it because he has inside info that VVD is off to them. I think he's just winding them up. In their eyes anything can be interpreted as VVD's going to Liverpool.

VVD to Liverpool is gathering momentum among the Liverpool supporting chatterers on Twitter, RAWK etc. without any actual new evidence that it will happen. It all seems to be gathering steam because of the Kieta deal, almost like the euphoria from that is transferring over to this situation. I understand why he wants to go there but I hate VVD's methods. And his agent's methods. And Liverpool's. If we sell VVD to Liverpool in this window, or any future window it will completely defeat the object of the club's stance this summer. I daresay that they will fork out too much money for him but I may be a little grumpy if it happens.

Kevin Palmer trying to explain things on twitter: and

Now the Sun claims to have inside information on VVD's meetings with the club hierarchy. The Sun also manages to interpret Ralph Krueger's "he's not leaving" stance, into a "VVD is set to leave" headline. Go figure: https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/4330202/southampton-virgil-van-dijk-rows-chelsea-liverpool-arsenal/

I thought that the club was supposed to be keeping all VVD info. on lock down. I wonder if releases of information like this are sanctioned, or if it is an unauthorized leak. I suppose it could also be made up but Kevin Palmer has had a lot of inside info. on the VVD **** show this summer. If VVD canned his agent, well it couldn't happen to a nicer guy and he probably deserved it for his role in the nonsense that led to Liverpool's grovelling climb down in June. It was a pretty foolish choice on VVD's part to switch last year to an agent with pre-existing bad relationships at the club. Perhaps VVD is hoping that after firing number two (which seems like an appropriate label for Jansen / Wasserman), agent number three will create a better working relationship with Les & Co, so he could get the move he obviously wants so much. Perhaps he hopes that number three can get him to Liverpool rather than other interested clubs, since number two dropped a turd on that particular mandate.

Pellegrino still seems to think VVD will be staying. When asked about VVD after today's game, he said "I think on September 1st, Virgil will be here."

For all their pressing and effort, I can only think of one decent opportunity created by Huddersfield, which Forster did well to block in the first half. It was a frustrating game with at least two great goal scoring opportunities missed. A draw was probably a fair result for me but it was overall a frustrating day. Lemina's performance was a bright spot.

Wow. West Ham losing 0-3 to Newcastle.

Full time: 0-0

Free kick to Saints wide left...JWP to take it surely...and headed wide by Romeu.

A Bertrand header is cleared off the line.

Kachunga off for Quaener

Saints coming on a bit towards the end of this game.

Redmond forces a save...

Was JWP just fouled in the box?

McQueen on for Tadic.

Gabbiadini off for JWP.

Redmond opts for the long shot instead of playing in Gabbiadini..and Long is on for Lemina.

Williams on for Billing.

van la Parra replaced by Palmer.

Lemina tees up Gabbiadini outside the box but he has a heavy first touch and shoots it straight at the keeper.

0-0 at the half. We had the best opportunity to score via Redmond's missed shot when in alone to the keeper's right, but Huddersfield's pressing gave us all kinds of trouble and we do seem to look a little susceptible to high deliveries in the box with Mounié looking dangerous. Despite his good chance, Redmond not having a good game. I'm very encouraged by Lemina's performance in the first half.