Dusic

He also doesn't really fit their style particularly. Under Martin he had something ridiculous like the 2nd best pass completion % in the whole of Europe, so for a ball oriented style seems well suited and young enough to develop further. He is a big West Ham fan so would be a big step for him to leave after just a year but hopefully he values regular minutes under a Manager he knows gets the best from him.

Supposedly Besiktas have offered €4m for Lynaco whilst Saints want closer to €8m. Would be amazed if they have actually offered a straight €4m fee for him. If so, surely rip their hand off for it. I had imagined he would end up leaving on loan so any kind of permanent deal would be good for us.

Nobody will pay that, its not a realistic fee. But they could still pay a substantial fee for him. Its highly likely they would still be able to make a profit in a couple of years even if they spent £30m on him. They have already dropped £30m on Joao Pedro and want Kudus from Ajax who is valued at £40m or so and their most connected reporter has said a couple of times they are very much interested in Livramento, so would imagine they know the likely costs involved. Just saying...one to watch until they sign another RB, especially if Tino's main thing is about playing time.

A new signing. Has to be someone who will play the vast majority of minutes, so most likely a CB or CM. Of the existing players who have a higher liklihood of staying only Stephens and Bednarek are realistic shouts IMO.

I think Brighton are the ones to watch with Livramento. They wanted him before, are keen now and unlike Chelsea and Newcastle he would be a starter. Last season they had no first choice RB, Lamptey is on his way out and Veltman is a versatile player who can play elsewhere. Seeing as they will have Europe he would get plenty of games, fits their profile and they aren't short of cash either.

Would say in the summer the talent ID was largely good. We signed some very good players like Lavia and ABK and clearly identified Gakpo, Ramos, Colwill and Hojlund too before they became much more widely revered. Not sure on the roles and responsibilities but maybe its too simplistic to say Shields did a poor job if his role was to identify the players and then pass it to the owners/Semmens to actually get deals done? Takes a good structure to get things done and noticeable that when Russell Martin had his big rant about Swansea's poor Jan window he specifically said the head of recruitment there couldn't have done more and was as frustrated as everyone else. Usually there are multiple factors and its too simplistic just to blame one person.

Obviously its just interviews but liking what he is saying so far. Nothing OTT, just clear, genuine, leader-like and easy to warm to. One of the biggest challenges this season is to really win back the fans and a manager who people trust and like will help a lot, assuming results and performances follow.

We have given Caballero a contract to be a third choice GK, because he is a respected guy who by all accounts is a very good character around the squad and an experienced voice to our young no1. I am absolutely certain his contract had absolutely nothing to do with Alcaraz. Besides, probably 80% of our first team squad have no idea where they will be on 1st Sept so giving out contracts linked to others would be even more bizarre.

Unfortunate that he only has a year left as makes it inevitable that he leaves. Would have been a great player to keep for this season IMO.

Lavia clearly will move so IMO the sooner it happens the better for all concerned. Hopefully as well as a big fee we insert a decent sell on arrangement.

They will be back. There is two months of the window left. If they really want him they will get him. Its just negotiation, and with 3 years on his contract and players like Nathan Collins moving for £23m we have a decent position.

I think he could be a key player this season in a different style. He is suited to a ball oriented style where he would have lots of touches and could probably play in his best position, which he rarely did last season. IMO unless we suddenly get a great offer for him (which is unlikely especially from a Turkish club), I don't see why we would bomb him out at a massive loss or on loan. Totally different situation to Orsic and Aribo made his name in the EFL so it will be a known quantity for him.

This really. Some of the individual moments (pass vs Leeds, finish vs City) are the type that many players cannot do. But he really lacked intensity at times, although he is still extremely young and has been thrown into the first team at both of his clubs with little time to really learn his trade. I would be disappointed if we loan him out and think he has a lot of attributes Martin values and could be an interesting player with a high ceiling.

Need to get Doyle signed up, think his deal expires next summer.

Especially as almost all of our squad probably don't know with any degree of certainty where they will be playing in September. There is still 2 months of the window - loads of moves involving Saints will happen.

I think he will stay and be no1 and would expect him to be significantly better for last seasons experience, in a poor team lacking in any stability of selection in defence. Wonder what will happen with Lis? Will he replace McCarthy as no2 assume AMc goes, or will he end up at Valenciennes? Always felt like a multi club signing as a low risk free transfer.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/truth-behind-leicester-city-interest-27224670 This says Leicester bid expected for Piroe in coming days. Saints have been interested but the poor relationship with Swansea is a significant complication.

Featuring so heavily in pre season videos/kit launch etc is also an outward way of Saints showing that he is committed and not causing trouble and another message to clubs trying to knock down our price that from our perspective there is no need to comply with that. Same as with Tella. Pay what we want and pretty much any of these players will be gone, but unless they refuse to train or play, show bad attitude etc then we are happy to have them until that offer comes in.

Thought Martin interview was clear, confident and genuine. Can't ask for more than that and nice to hear a manager be able to articulate what their tactical ideaa are after the last two. Came across as being comfortable in a good way, that he trusts himself and will stick to his way which I think is a good thing. Also a nice bit of honest realism about transfers and the fact we will have players start the season who will end up being sold but that he will take out anyone who isn't committed.

The basics still apply in the Championship which is why we are actively trying to get rid of him.

Remember that Wilcox is not rhe Head of Recruitment, that is Darren Mowbray, who is experienced in that role. I would actually say that rather than being a mess we seem to have been able to recruit well respected people into roles where they each have relevant experience. It will take time to settle but Wilcox reassures me - he wouldn't have joined if he didn't believe in SR, and he knows what elite looks like.

We have been repeatedly linked with Grimes who is very much an experienced player at this level. That central midfield recruitment is going to be massive considering the quality we will lose and the importance of the position in a possession team. Personally prefer Downes to Grimes.

The shame about Tino is that he would have been the best player of his position in the league had he stayed, or almost certainly the best. With the volume of players who will leave there is a danger of ending up very average. People expect us to be right in the promotion race but you do actually have to be a good team to do that, and I don't see that too many of our good players will still be around in Sept, certainly not the ones that will be considered amongst the best in the division. I think we will end up signing a lot of players in August after the season has started as many outgoings will also be done late.

Leicester moving for Harry Winks. He will be an excellent player at Championship level, particularly in a ball oriented team.

I am not at all suprised there is interest in Tino and the club won't be either. I'm sure he will go, as will others because that tends to be the outcome after relegation and we actually have a number of individuals who are worth signing. Regarding fees its a murky world because aside from the clubs nobody knows and there is so much spin. For example, he may have a contractual clause which is now relevant? If there isnt a clause then I am sure there is no way we will be selling him for £12m, despite what the Newcastle friendly journos say. You only have to see the difference in the numbers of their Tonali deal to see this - the Italians said it was €80m, the NE lads said £50m. But end of the day, he might be grateful to our physios but he is clearly going to want to join a CL team, and it may actually be better for his body to play fewer games than to be flogged through a gruelling Championship season. We will raise a lot of cash as I think all of JWP, Lavia, KWP, ABK, Salisu, Alcaraz and Adams will go (some we will want to go due to contract status) but it will be hard for Martin and Wilcox to build a team until thats all happened.