Matthew Le God

There has been a transfer window for many decades. Before we had the January window there was still a deadline day in March. Just happens that the windows are now smaller but they have been around a long time.

No, because he doesn't play for a Championship club, nor would he attract Premiership interest. So doesn't meet the criteria in the OP.

The transfer window never closes on a weekend. They just extend it by a day or two to the Monday when the offices are open again.

Because the offices where it has to be rubber stamped have closed and don't open again until Monday. It can only be announced "in principle" before Monday morning.

No player can really be "forced". He'd be well within his rights to say no and see out his contract and Palace couldn't do a thing (apart from not paying wages which they are currently struggling to do).

Need to be "rubber stamped" by Football authorities on a weekday during office hours so can only be done in principle over the weekend.

Palace's game is still currently on tomorrow. Will be interesting if Fonte is included in the squad or not should the game go ahead. Pretty sure he is not injured and has been a regular for them.

Even better than that... 5th biggest boxing day attendance in the whole of England.

I think that report falls on its arse for accuracy!

It is the same for every club so why can only Saints claim it cost them? The reason Saints were relegated was lack of investment in playing staff. Also the little money that was spent went on large numbers of average players which bloated the squad rather than a small number of quality players which should have happened after 2003(8th place and cup final).

Which rules him out if you read the criteria in the OP.

Even if he was at Charlton still like you thought, it wouldn't fit the criteria. It is meant to be a player in the Championship, Charlton in League One.

Darren Ambrose doesn't fit the criteria.

It can't be him if you read the description in the OP. Lansbury already plays for a Prem club.

That just supports what I said! I said Saints "aren't behind anyone else in terms of potential". You say we are equal with Wolves, Birmingham, Notts Forest, Leicester, Derby. Both statements don't conflict with each other.

His brother already plays in the top flight in Portugal which rules him out. The OP states that the mystery player isn't currently in the top flight and clubs are looking to make him go up a division.

There are very few teams that could offer Pardew better than what he has at present in terms of resources and potential. In any case few clubs will come in for him until he achieves something of substance at Saints and restores his reputation which was "tainted" at Charlton which at the very least would mean he got promotion to the Championship. Once in the Championship, given good backing Saints could soon be challenging for promotion again. I'd say Southampton is in the top 10 or 12 clubs in terms of size/potential in England so worth him sticking around if Mr Liebherr continues provding the resources he needs. Bigger clubs than Saints... Chelsea Man Utd Arsenal Tottenham Man City Aston Villa Liverpool Everton Sunderland West Ham Newcastle Leeds I'd say Saints aren't behind any others but these in terms of potential.

So do I.

Well the Mirror article was done hours later than those. Possibly after further negotiation had taken place. Not hard for Saints to pay or tempt a Palace player when like Pompey they aren't able to meet the demands of the contract and pay on time.

That is not what the Mirror article says.

If Pardew/Cortesse pull this off its an amazing signing for League One.

You can only do that with non English based players in January. Doesn't apply to those at English clubs until 6 weeks before the end of their contracts.

As Palace are like Pompey and failing to pay wages it seems odd that he won't move. At least Saints will pay him something. Palace fail to meet the obligations of his current contract!

Been a mixture so far and I expect it to continue to be... Connolly/Mellis from the Premiership Papa Waigo from Serie A Murty/Harding/Jaidi/Antonio/Trotman all came from the Championship Lambert/Hammond stars in League One Not many League One sides can attract like that.

Why would Championship play off chasing Leicester sell their star player? Why would their star player go back to League One?