Saint Albert

Really like both of them. Away looks fantastic.

He got that info from here, I think: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liverpool-receive-virgil-van-dijk-10530922 I'm not sure how credible Cross is. Both Arse and Liverpool willing to pay VVD 200k per week, according to Cross but VVD is "attracted" to Klopp. Cross also notes that four teams have contacted VVD's advisor. So tapping up x4, then.

A talented young English striker moves from a club where he will certainly get no meaningful first team opportunities, to a team where he will almost certainly get no meaningful first team opportunities. Someone needs to have a word with him and his advisor.

Chelsea looking at Jerome Boeteng as a VVD alternative, as the Puel situation throws VVD's move to Chelsea into doubt...according to the Sun: https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/3675020/chelsea-enquire-about-bayern-munichs-jerome-boateng-as-possible-alternative-to-virgil-van-dijk/

I remember that someone on this forum mentioned that Fonte and Bertand were acting up during Puel's speech at (I think) the club's xmas function. It all reflects poorly on the players, but it also reflects badly on the manager's leadership skills if relations and respect deteriorated to that level.

I certainly do not want him to leave. We'd really miss his assists. Wouldn't miss his penalties, though.

A club with the uncertainty of a takeover hanging over it's head would not be that attractive to a potential new manager. One of the reasons the club should stick with Puel, for now.

There was a rumour going around that one of the top clubs were after Lanzini. Perhaps Tadic would be a replacement for him.

Don't forget Scott Sinclair...signed for around £8 from Swansea, disappeared into a black hole at City. He's doing rather well at Celtic apparently.

"Southampton claim privately they will hold out for a world-record fee for a defender for Van Dijk" - a little nugget buried towards the bottom of this Telegraph article on Chelsea's transfer plans: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/05/28/diego-costa-ultimatum-chelsea-prepare-200-million-spending-spree/

50 mil for a player entering the last year of his contract. Unless there's some seriously gullible suitors out there, I'd be surprised if they get that.

I did some intensive research on the Chinese Super League (OK I checked its Wikipedia page) and learned that their season runs from spring through to autumn, typically ending in November. I can't see us nabbing a manager from his team in the middle of their season. Pellegrini's side Hebei CFFC is in third, by the way having won four of their last five games.

I recall he was strongly linked by ITKs to the point that I assumed he would be Koeman's replacement, last summer.

I doubt there will be a bidding war. The interested clubs will negotiate with VVD though his agent, and he will pick the team that he wants to go to.

This resonates with me. We have it pretty good compared to previous times. Although it had disappointing aspects, last season was alright, 8th is good in my books and there is potential to do better next year with no extra games on Thursday night.

Constructive dismissal would involve keeping Puel but reducing his responsibilities or changing his position.

That game was exceptionally poor.

That sounds like something Liverpool would do.

I like the solid backs. I really disliked last year's UA kit with the possible exception of the bra-less white League Cup final shirt, but the Europa version with the solid red back almost did it for me.

This is the nub of the problem for me. I am not overwhelmed by the names being thrown around, and I can't see ex PSG and ex B.Dortmund managers joining Southampton, assuming they become available.

I hope that the posters on this forum can keep it together if Puel stays.

Yes it is. Just one of the reasons I dislike Levy. That being said other "big" clubs seem to have a similar MO, but perhaps without Levy's extreme low-balling once the player's head is well and truly turned. There's often some form of indirect tapping up process in the media as well, which I have not seen yet re Bertrand. Just lots of ITKs here and on 606.

The reason I do not believe that he will end up at Spurs is their wage structure lacks the insane largess of some of the other top 6 teams who may be looking for a new shiny LB, but I am also motivated by a desire to see Saints get a decent price for him, and also an irrational hatred of Levy.

Les did not do his credibility any favours when he said that. Still, nothing has happened yet and technically it isn't summer yet. Perhaps he was being cunning with his wording and intending to get all the outgoings done before June 20.

That's my main concern too.