SuperSAINT

PALACE IN FOR TOWNSEND Crystal Palace are set to activate Andros Townsend's £13m release clause, Sky sources understand. Newcastle are yet to receive an official bid from Palace but we understand that will come and the Championship club are bracing themselves for it.

I'm convinced Spurs will be in the race for him. Also, LOL @ Arsenal being interested in a creative No.10. They never sign those do they?!

The Sun running with the Berahino story too too: https://www.thesun.co.uk/uncategorized/1355150/southampton-set-to-gazump-stokes-16million-bid-for-west-brom-striker-saido-berahino/ Not sure on the credentials of either journalist. I'll probably get more excited if John Percy reports it - He's one of the best Journo's around that area. I assumed Stoke would be close to sealing a deal for him. Imagine replacing Gaston / Juanmi / Mane with Ben Arfa / Berahino / Boufal

Wouldn't be a bad idea to send Hesketh, McQueen or Gallagher down there too.

Crikey!! Hell of a signing!

I'm not sure how he passed the background/attitude audit from the black-box Very talented player in there if he can get his head straight.

Is there a current limit on number of loans from one club to another?

http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?56632-Sammy-Lee#.V3J_D_krKHs

So possibly a City youngster who plays for a country that we haven't had a player from? Bersant Celina (Kosovo?)

"Liverpool are adamant the deal for Mane will not exceed £30million, inclusive of any add-ons as part of the negotiation which was agreed last week but delayed at Southampton’s request until they completed the £11 million signing of replacement Nathan Redmond." Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/06/28/sadio-mane-liverpool-announce-five-year-deal-for-30m-striker/ (From the Liverpool side of the Telegraph)

Debunked Already! http://allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=19573

Expen$ive? It's not Musa is it? (Nigerian?)

Just makes it easier to buy our players

SOUTHAMPTON NEAR PUEL DEAL Talks remain ongoing between Southampton and the former Nice head coach Claude Puel as a deal to appoint him as successor to Ronald Koeman edges closer. An announcement confirming his arrival at St Mary’s will be made by the end of the week, according to Sky sources. The 54-year-old led unfancied Nice to within two points of Champions League in France last season and we understand that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger advised the Saints during the process.

http://owngoalnigeria.com/2016/06/28/exclusive-southampton-make-bid-for-25m-rated-nigerian-forward/?

PALACE BID £31.5M FOR BATSHUAYI He's among the most coveted names of European strikers, but it looks like Crystal Palace are determined on winning the battle to sign Marseille striker Michy Batshuayi, according to Sky sources. Palace have made a bid of €38m and nearly two and a half times more than the £12.8m they paid for Yohan Cabaye, their previous transfer record. Batshuayi was linked heavily with moves to Newcastle and Stoke last January and he has since reportedly been the subject of interest this summer from Tottenham.

Completely unrealistic.... But would be amazing!

Shop Window!! (I'd love to keep him, but if we haven't offered him a deal, I'm fairly sure we aren't going to let him leave for free next summer).

I think there's still a large amount of debt owed to the major shareholder. There's a good interview by Adam Blackmore with Gareth Rogers that goes over it. https://audioboom.com/boos/3668264-listen-southampton-chief-executive-gareth-rogers-talks-to-adam-blackmore-about-the-club-s-financial-report-for-2014-15

Regardless of squabbling over a million here or there, my point remains the same. If we buy right, we can make the squad stronger by losing an outstanding individual. (This point isn't valid for this thread, but the idea of going into a season without either Morgan or Vic sucks)

Is that not really good news?

I'm happier with the price at £36m. (Puts him above Benteke & Carroll which didn't sit well with me). I'll miss him. He provided pretty much every I hoped he would when Sky Sports 1st announced he was close to signing him 2 years ago. Hopefully we can use the money wisely. Don't forget, Morgan left for £25m and we got Clasie / Romeu / Van Dijk deals financed from it.

The links with defensive midfielder's are now understandibly really ramping up