Summary of the Blackmore chat - direct quoting on Q&A (as close to verbatim as possible) unless it's a bullet point:
- ABK wasn't taken to Spain, understood to be a bad influence behind the scenes
- Considered to be a negative character, not appreciated by current dressing room / coaching staff for his attitude
- Russell Martin has been very clear that he won't accept a negative attitude from anyone
- Saints pushed hard for Carvalho in January
- Player and manager spoke, both really liked each other
- There were conditions attached to the deal such as a big agent fee (which Saints didn't agree with for a loan)
- Another condition from LFC was a number of guaranteed starts, Saints wouldn't agree but Hull did
- The player and Russell still appreciate each other and would still like to work together
- The leak has come from the Liverpool end, hence Ornstein
- They don't want to loan, they want to sell but are letting their fanbase know it's a 'reluctant sale' and seeing if other clubs get involved
- I think Saints want Matt O'Riley and Fabio Carvalho, I don't believe it is one or the other
- O'Riley is happy to come, they've already had that conversation and both parties know the deal
- Celtic are being slow and Saints are getting agitated because they are worried it will run too late in August
- O'Riley doesn't have an agent he is only represented by his parents and they have a relationship with RM
- Is the Brighton leak an effort from Celtic to get Saints to move to Celtic's negotiation point? Let's see
Specific Qs...
Onuachu?
- Trabzonspor been offering 3m, 4m, 5m
- Saints won't do business at silly prices and are irritated by Trabzonspor's approach
- They are happy to hold onto him, think that he might get offers from other leagues at the end of the window, maybe if a Dutch club comes into some money
GK?
Yes, I think they need a goalkeeper. I think they want to get Lis out on loan again or at best, as the third choice. I had a look at the Premier League squads and there's some good experience on benches. I'm not anti McCarthy, I think he's been a good servant to the club but I think they need to get someone with more Premier League authority.
Extra comment - not verbatim: Ramsdale is on either side of 100k by a slim margin, would look at more experienced people on benches to look for better value - example given: Martin Dubravka
Alcaraz's future?
I think he should go. I know some fans like him because he runs around a lot, he's busy, he's all-action, he's hot-headed. I've got no problem with him because I think he is a good lad but I don't think he has got the tactical understanding for how the team plays. There's a reason he didn't start a lot last season. I think he needs to move on because he can't do the job he is being asked to do. I think you have to sell him to get some money in to go out and acquire some more players.
KWP?
I'd like him to stay, we'd all like him to stay. He was fantastic in agreeing to stay and be professional last summer to give them one go to get straight back into the Premier League - and it worked. I'm at the stage now where I think 'thank you very much Kyle' and if you want to go and find somewhere else to play that's fine, but we just need to get the right money for you before your contract expires. My feeling is that he will need to go for himself and his own career, and it won't do the club any harm to get some money in rather than him going for nothing. Saints have actually got too many full-backs now but I do accept that Kyle Walker-Peters was a clear cut above the rest last season.
Lots to still be done?
Yes, I think there is a lot to be done. And I don't know if I believe it will all go to the wire. I know for a fact they want to get a couple of things done in the next week. But moving a few on would help Saints because it will give them more strength and money, some salaries off the wage bill. Saints/Solak is not going to spend endlessly and end up with a huge squad again. If you could get Onuachu, Bella-Kotchap and Alcaraz out in the next two weeks then you can really attack the end of the transfer window a lot better. I think they can get O'Riley done. Is the Brighton leak an effort to get Saints to move to Celtic's negotiation point? Let's see. With Carvalho, the player is clear that he would like to play for Russell Martin and come and fill that role in the team. Let's see.
