Ivan Katalinic's 'tache

Could well be. But the way it was told to me, it is the figures dictating. And this was about maximising those figures either from us or another party. Again, willing this could be miles from the truth but just passin' it on in the interest of sharing.

That's not what I wanted to read. Go back & hear something more positive Saints-wise...

I guess that's a positive way to look at it if what I've been told is true. I like your solution and am willing to sign it off. Les, over to you... Do we know if Les or anyone from our posse has flown to Spain too, by the way? How we are competing in this, I wonder?

Would make sense. I would've thought we could've got a few quid from someone daft enough to buy him otherwise. Might also be why we let Clyne go so quickly as we may be offering to pay more up front now.

Good. Maybe he's bored of it dragging on too?

Far from being ITK, and this will probably be the one and only chance I get to share something, but I've just been told something by a friend I bumped into this afternoon. He has had contacts with the club before and he said our issue with Atletico is around the £1.5million fee due to buy out the purchase clause we had. Seemingly Atletico wanted to negotiate a larger fee to do a deal, knowing how well Toby had done and in the knowledge they could pay us off, if we didn't agree and then sell to a higher bidder. We declined, as you expect we would initially, and both sides refused to budge. Discussions re-opened but Atletico have now paid up the £1.5 million, which is probably why the stuff about the clause being cancelled has resurfaced this week, when we all thought it had been done a while ago. Our problem remains the £1.5 million as AM aren't happy they've had to pay it 'for nothing', in their view, and they want it back, if we are to agree a deal with them (in effect meaning we have to pay £1.5 million more than Spurs, or anyone else, if we want him). He thinks this is why RoKo said they were being difficult and maybe this is our sticking point. I thought the clause meant we'd be paying less but maybe it's proving a bit of a hindrance now. I can't substantiate any of this but my friend isn't inclined to make stuff up. His contact could be wrong, could've misinterpreted the situation or could even be having a laugh. Whatever, though, I thought I'd share and now open myself for public ridicule for choosing to do so.

Alex Crook Alex Smith The journalistic Alexes not fancying our chances. Hopefully Tony is correct and Levy's focus is elsewhere.

Oh... Lots of Spurs noise yet the Echo is insisting we still remain confident we can still win the race. Both Spurs and Saints must be receiving encouragement from Toby for this to be the case. I'm just clinging to the hope he hasn't updated removed from his Twitter profile yet!

Lifted from a Spurs fan on Twitter. Anyone catch this on Sky? If true, go Ronnie!

Pelle out, Austin in per chance?

Blind optimism or insider dealing???

Poster on Not606 saying he's heard there's some positive news re Toby coming to us & it "very much" looks like he'll be signing. No idea if he's a good source but the regulars seem to think he is.

Impressive indeed. I say we Mail his Nuts to the Sun.

Only if he's resorted to kidnapping him...

And maybe Liverpool too? If Brendan hears he's played for us he could be tempted.

Atletico are a better side than Spurs. Why would they want some of their old sh1t in part exchange for Toby? Hoping this works in our favour!

http://www.london24.com/sport/football/clubs/crystal-palace/crystal_palace_open_talks_with_troubled_italian_about_instant_premier_league_return_1_4136017 Could we get the chance to say our own goodbye against Palace on the last game of next season? If he lasts there that long?

This thread could really do with K,Billy delivering some devastatingly good news in the very near future? [please?]

All the noise seems to be about Spurs so it's looking like they're going to win this one unless Toby is so dead set on joining us.

Elia is schizophrenic? Can we just sign the one who showed glimpses of promise?

Sounds like Toby needs to tell AM his head is already at Southampton...

Haven't they just sold Mandzukic to Juve though? Probably just replacing one with another.

I wonder what the issue is with Atletico? Is it they are determined to use him as a makeweight in another deal? If Toby were to put his foot down and say he will only consider a move to Saints, I wonder what their stance would be? Is it Atletico simply not agreeing any fees to see how they can use him best either as part of a transfer or as a squad player.

Clearly General Levy thinks Toby is Incredible to consider paying that price. It's also around the fee we were quoted as willing to pay in a news article a week or so ago.

http://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/atletico-madrid/20150630/20658597003/el-tottenham-prepara-millones-de-euros-por-alderweireld.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter Can anyone translate? Gaston? Juanmi? Edit - thanks Google... Tottenham Alderweireld approaches. A few days ago from the British press reported that Toby would have chosen to White Hart Lane club to play next season. In principle, just missing the agreement between the Spurs and Atletico Madrid. The English prepared an offer of 25 million euros for the player according to the British press, an irresistible offer for the mattress interests. Both Southampton and Chelsea have fought for their recruitment in recent months after the great campaign that has been done in the Premier where he has played on loan at the 'Saints', but everything indicates that the Belgian central end up playing in the Tottenham . A club that coincide with some of his fellow Belgian team as Vertonghen, Dembelé or Chadli. And that Atletico Madrid could be interested in selling the player at Chelsea to lower Luis Filipe around the banks of the Manzanares. But the player has elected to another set of London. Although the Southampton are willing to fight for a player who has left a good feeling in his only season there. Coach Ronald Koeman promised to try his recruitment to the end. "We want to keep here to Alderweireld, but Atletico has not cooperated. It will not be easy, but I hope that Toby will stay, "he said in the Dutch press.