Ivan Katalinic's 'tache

News of "verbal commitments" is always concerning. Whilst he's not worked out brilliantly, at the outset I did wonder how we got him here from Juventus and a Champions League final (substitutes) appearance. Maybe the verbal agreement was to get him here for a couple of years so he could attract bigger PL clubs and with that came a sense we wouldn't place an unrealistically high price tag on his head, which we are now honouring? Pure conjecture from me, and rather daft if so, but I bet it happens in some deals...

I'd agree. I'd rather have a proven, decent player on £100k pw, then several cr4p equivalents on 50k-60k pw.

Interesting comment from the Express but Mario wants to go to United... https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1151245/Mario-Lemina-Manchester-United-Arsenal-Leicester-Southampton-Premier-League

United, £18m? https://www.teamtalk.com/news/man-utd-given-permission-to-open-talks-with-18m-southampton-ace

Interesting to see Wesley Hoedt on the plane. If Ralph can turn Hoedt into the CB we really need, he's more football miracle worker than football manager.

Interestingly, he'll be coached by another former Saint in Maik Taylor, according to the BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48909527

Positive noises for our kits from a non-Saints media source: https://www.footballfancast.com/exclude/the-best-and-worst-kits-ahead-of-the-2019-2020-season/1 https://www.footballfancast.com/exclude/the-best-and-worst-kits-ahead-of-the-2019-2020-season/6

Micky Evans. But ended up being worth it just for those goals against Nott'm Forest.

Tottenham sign Ndombele from Lyon. Does that make Big Vic available (albeit not falling within our under 24s only profile)?

Or maybe he's in the way of Christoph Klarer who looks to be a promising CB?

He was in photos I saw of the 1st day of training yesterday, so I guess nothing is imminent there.

Will be fine in the dugout?

All done according to the Liverpool Echo: https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liverpool-handed-20m-transfer-boost-16514596.amp £18m down, £2m additional.

There would need to be if we let Lemina go. Unless Ralph sees Harrison Reed as the back-up/alternative to Hojbjerg and Romeu.

Craig Dawson has signed for Watford, from West Brom, for £5.5 million. https://www.harrowtimes.co.uk/sport/17741338.watford-confirm-the-signing-of-west-bromwich-albion-defender-craig-dawson/

It's Ings he now says...

Alex Crook saying we're expecting a 2nd incoming today after Adams??? Ings maybe? Or someone else? Best 1st of July for a while!!

It's done! Love Ralph chasing off Jurgen spying from his plane!

Good luck to the guy. A chance to play regularly at top flight level for him - could be the making of him or confirm the suspicions of most Saints fans he's not quite up to it. Neil Taylor did ok at Swansea and will still be decent competition for him at Villa.

Updated.

I like the bit about this being the boring news and the day getting more exciting!

Villa after Adam Webster now, according to the Express in this article about Targett going there. Think we've been linked in this window... https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1147420/Aston-Villa-transfer-news-signing-today-Matt-Targett-Dean-Smith-Adam-Webster-rumours-news/amp?__twitter_impression=true

Officially becomes a permanent Saint today, I believe. Surely not the inminent signing Ralph spoke of at Saints Fest tho??

BBC are saying Wan-Bissaka has completed his move from Palace to Man U for £50m. If Palace sell Zaha to Arsenal too, they'll have quite a bit of cash to splash.

And here too!