Saint Charlie

@Sco2hot: Ronny Delia on VVD. "No change, he'll be staying with us until after the qualifiers at least anyway".

Yep and the Talksport Moose.

Anyone called a marquee signing is usually ****. One of the worst terms in football and should be left for the likes of David Gold to use.

Shame if true, even more so as he needs to be training to get in the shape needed to have an impact in the PL.

£5m according to BBC.

Too early to say. He is obviously a decent keeper, his Dutch caps show that. But, as I said, too early to fully assess. It is clear though that our backup is ****e and its by miles our weakest squad position - until FF fit. Neither Gazza or KD would start for many/any Championship teams. It could bite us on the arse again this year and is still a suprise to me that the club seem comfortable with it, given how well they have shaped the rest of the squad.

Could be possible that its 2 from 3 of Clasie, Romeu and Wanyama rather than all of them playing. Still room for a player like Davis if played in front of a more solid base.

I think Steve said above that VVD could well end up staying at Celtic til later this month, so that would tie in with Peach comments.

Would be suprised if it was that much, although Chelsea probably the only better team than us at getting top dollar for players.

Hopefully Clasie's ankle/knee/leg injury isn't too bad then Ron has a decent number of midfield options!

Wonder if we maybe see Clasie playing a little further forward, or it will be two of three from Romeu, Wanyama and Clasie when all fit. Possibly could play all three as Cedric is obscenely attacking and requires cover, whilst Bertrand can push on too.

To be fair, he did play when he first went to Chelsea and was good. He then got a nasty injury and when he recovered AVB who gave him a chance had long gone.

Always thought he was quite decent when he played for Chelsea. Adds to midfield options and is a proper holding player which is good. Decent age and experience of English football at probably a low fee. Good deal.

Thats why I said "virtual" done deal. :-)

I'm sure he will be seeing as he is going to stay their until at least Aug 25th/26th.

Obviously feels its a virtual done deal!

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/celtic-star-virgil-van-dijk-6236987 Hopefully the Saints Insider isn't Alex Crook! Also in De Telegraaf: http://m.telegraaf.nl/telesport/article/24365333/van-dijk-dicht-bij-transfer-naar-southampton Looks like we will need to wait, but could well get the player which would be great.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/southampton-vs-sunderland-transfer-battle-6234803 Standard Mirror article. Nothing new.

£573.9m spent by PL clubs this summer. Staggering sums, what will it reach by Sept 1st?

Shaqiri is a good signing but he is no Mané. That was the last Saints signing I have been really excited by! Hopefully another late one this summer will have the same effect.

Who by?

Shame, feel for the guy. Will have wanted to hit the ground running and makes the absence of Morgan more apparent for the team.

Agree. Whilst we may well improve depending on signings, the likes of Newcastle, West Ham, Liverpool, Crystal Palace, Swansea already have improved their starting XI and quite possibly Stoke will too. Important couple of weeks.

Villa signing Adama Traore from Barcelona. Highly rated, Saints amongst a few PL clubs reported to be keen.

LOL