S-Clarke

Would imagine both clubs have been talking for days (since the illegal approach came out) Maybe this is the agreement we've come to.

From what I understand, a Trust fund was set up shortly after the takeover. Markus put around £50m of his personal wealth into this trust fund. That is there to call on whenever and was part of the 5 year plan, and stayed even after he passed as far as I know. That's where the money is being sourced for the academy/training ground and other club developments - and transfers. Maybe we've almost used it all up though...! And who knows what happens when we no longer have that investment to call on.

Look at players like Pilkington, plucked from L1 after a bad injury but he always had class. Stands out in the PL as a real quality player, had a great season last year. Phillips has the potential to do that, and more. Don't see a problem with this policy if I'm honest. Good resale value and a good life-span in the team, could stick together for years.

A fair wad of cash right there, but he's that direct, pacey right winger we need - who can also play left. Exactly the sort of player we need. Can also play up top and through the middle with a real goal threat. I rate him very highly, if only we'd have signed him when we were interested before - 800k would have got him then...!!!!!!

Today, apparently. So no surprise it's ramped up.

Who?

2 new enquries made in the last 2 days for players according to Nixon, one has the potential to be a ''goodie''. More on sunday... Alan Nixon ‏@reluctantnicko @shirleymush Saving back for Sunday People. If it develops it would be a goodie.

Ok, well a full international already then!

Well this is 1 down (if true...) and 2 to go. Still reckon we'll get that lad from Rennes.

I hope we never get to see world class players and win the league. God help us if that happens.

£6m is a tad too much for Phillips, but it's the going rate for English players. I think he's class though, another potential international. I actually doubt it's £6m, probably a £6m package with something like 2-5m-3m up front and the rest on apps, survival, internationals etc.

And a red. But he didn't have a bad game at all, looked quite at home tbh. I didn't ever think Harding was such a bad player, I just think Fox was so much more superior to him that it showed so clearly. Very accomplished left back in my opinion.

Clubs like ours don't necessarily need world class players to survive. You need world class players to win it, or to compete for Top 4 places - but decent signings with potential will do a good job for us. Our signings so far fall into the zone of players I thought we'd be after.

I must admit I'm not quite sure what to expect at the moment, it could go 2 ways. I have alot of time for players such as Rodriguez, Clyne and Davis - I think all 3 are outstanding talents and massive signings for us who will only improve what we have. Then you have the obvious question marks over our lack of experienced cover at the centre back, which at this moment in time is a pretty light area. I think we're being quite ambitious with our targets, which is exciting in a way, but also a little but frustrating as we miss out on target after target. I'm still of the opinion that if we get in another couple of CB's and a RW we may well have a decent season as I think we already have quality in our squad. I think the ''lack of quality'' thread is a good indication of some peoples expectations. For where we are and were we've come from our signings so far have been excellent.

TBF we already had excellent championship players, who we dragged down to L1 with us (already plenty of champ experience in that team, and it was not suprising to see the momentum carry through). I agree with what Duncan says to a point, we do need quality experience at CB - not to say Fonte and Jos aren't good players, but if one of them is injured we are up **** creek without a paddle pretty much. I know that we're working hard to sort it though but as time gets on you do get a little concerned that the most important part of the team is lacking in numbers and relative experience. I think we'll be alright in the end. Just take the Man City game as a friendly/bonus game. There's no point getting het up when we lose it, we'd lose it with new CB's too I'd imagine. All eyes on the Wigan game...

I think that's a very fair assessment Duncan.

We kind of did this in the championship to a degree, spent loads of time and effort chasing ''massive names'' at that level (i.e maynard, jay rodriguez, hooper) and not getting them, and then not ending up with any new ST in the summer window....let's hope it's not the same again.

According to Nixon, he thinks we are being ''used'' by agents in order to tempt other clubs back in for Rameriz

Still got a feeling that they want to add some new players before releasing the numbers, therefore we need to make signings in the next 3 days...maybe wishful thinking though!

Yeh, was pretty sure it's all made up tbh. Not sure what to make of the Italian reporter stating what he did, that kind of makes me feel there's something in it.

I can't believe Spurs spent up to 17m on this guy. How to waste money.com

TBF you can't help but sit up and take notice at the twitter feed of a top Italian football reporter (Verified). He even says Cortese is meeting with Rameriez's agent and representatives. There's genuine interest by the looks of it, but I just feel we're wasting our time.

Well, the young Mexican kid is seen as a ''young'' hernandez, who is young anyway! He's only 17 or 18 I think, very young. Don't know that much more about him, but Arsenal tried to sign him last January. Ramierz is a signing that just won't happen, one of the top Uruguayan talents and wants big bucks. Inter, AC, Spurs, Arsenal, Liverpool have all been registered with an interest at some point. Plays anywhere in the front line, very quick and skillful. Likened to the same style of player as Kaka.

Heard #saintsfc are announcing the signings of Gaston Ramirez, Carlos Fierro and Yohan Benalouane tomorrow. Anymore for anymore? Dan Tiller ‏@realdantiller Probably shouldn't say this but #SaintsFC have press conference scheduled tomorrow to reveal signing of Carlos Fierro. Ade McKenzie ‏@AdeMcKenzie So, apparently a 'unexpected' signing is due at St. Mary's tomorrow. Good news if true but VERY sceptical.

I have an E at the end of my last name, makes a huge difference. Upper class and all that.