SuperSAINT

Is a fair point. Only have to look at the QPR comments re: Samba's fitness when they signed him.

£21m release clause, apparently

Quality

Good post, saints_is_the_south. Think we will definitely see a top class centre-back join. Might see another, depending on what happens with Forren. I'll be interested to see if what Monk posted about is true about him being saved for next season.

Villa

I'd rather consider it a Fox upgrade

Not seen much of Austin recently. Can he play as a lone-striker up top? He always struck me as the poacher of a 2-man strike force. (And TBF, I think we've already purchased the best striker Burnley had).

Liverpool or Spurs, I'd imagine. Blackpool activated a 1 year contract extension in his contract.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11708/8724836/Transfer-news-Burnley-s-Charlie-Austin-attracting-interest-from-host-of-clubs

I said around 35m at the weekend. Had a little look at what that could get you (assuming we sign players we're linked to now, complete with rumoured prices, give or take a couple of million) DC - Astori (£9m) DL - ? DR - Gamez (£5m) DMC - Wanyama (£10m) AMC - Verdu (Free) AMRL / SC - Sinclair / Lens (£4m) ----------------------------------------- Total 28m Not bad going. Still leaves some dosh for a left-back.

Adam Blackmore ‏@bigadamsport #saintsfc Pochettino 2nite - asked by @SimonPeach about Shaw-to-Chelsea reports, said maybe CFC should worry about him buying their players!

Great 1st season IMO. (Thank god we beat City, Liverpool & Chelsea @ St Mary's though!)

Football manager, and the HCDAJFU thread on here.

That was Alex Crook who penned that who's pretty clued up when it comes to Saints. He also made mention of having 30m to spend.

We all knew he'd end his career at St Mary's

I think Rickie often goes through a spell like this, and it's normally down to a niggling injury. He's been magnificent for us this year. Would be delighted to see him get the winner tomorrow.

Around £35m.

Wanyama is very highly rated. Think he'd be a great signing. Don't know much about the other two. I'd trust MP's judgement on Gamez though.

I think every club intends on getting it done early, but I guess it's hard to get deals done with the backwards & forwards deal making.

Fantastic news. Didn't think we'd hear anything until after the final game. Well done Nicola & thank you Katharina. My summer optimism has returned

Love them. I'd be happy with both of those.

Not linked with him, but can remember his name being mentioned on here.... http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11668/8717870/Premier-League-Wilfried-Bony-set-to-continue-talks-with-interested-parties

Couple of bits from the papers about stuff relating to us:- -- The Daily Express also reports that Arsenal, Tottenham and Fulham are tracking Watford striker Matej Vydra, who has yet to decide whether to return to parent club Udinese, stay at Watford or move elsewhere. -- Chelsea and Tottenham have both made moves for 17-year-old Southampton left-back Luke Shaw, according to The Times.

Wouldn't say we open our mouth's that much, TBH.

Not going to be easy to attract players now, is it?