S-Clarke

4 years is pretty standard, usually they come with clauses that if you reach a certain amount of games there's an optional extension to sign etc (I think Jay triggered that a season or so ago, and then got injured). I think 5/6 year contracts are pretty rare, the financial outlay is huge for a club like ourselves. A massive gamble really. And people saying we leave it too late, how do you know what goes on behind the scenes? I'm pretty sure we'd have been on top of Clyne's/Morgan's contracts a while back, probably coinciding with all the crappy instability of last pre-season which didn't help. But it's pure folly to think the club just left it to the last minute to negotiate a deal.

He's made of glass though, that's the problem. No doubt a good player, but if he didn't have fitness/injury issues, they'd keep him IMO.

Lol Osvaldo isn't there, he won't ever be here again. Jeez. Talk of anyone giving him a chance is pure fantasy. Kelvin the character. Big guy in that dressing room, huge for the club I think.

2 massive signings down their spine, impressive.

That is so amateur hour. I'm surprised the club's and agents allow it. I'd hate one of the Libeheer's to do a similar thing. West Ham are treading on dangerous ground, I think. It'll be very interesting to see how they do. They're looking (apparently) to ship out the dependable's such as Noble, Dowling etc and they're replacing them with the likes of Payet and Obaing. To me, that's a bit risky. You're replacing tried and tested PL players with foreigners. Just like they did with the manager. It may work out just fine, but is it a risk they needed to take just now? Why not steady the ship, carry on consolidating, bank the mega TV deal and then move to the stadium and invest. They seem to be gambling before they have anything to gamble with. I remember being impressed with Newcastles signings last summer. Cabella, Riveillre - but they did nothing, zilch. Or when Norwich signed Fer and Ricky Whatshisnamewinkel. They're going after all these ''apparent'' big names, but forgetting what got them to this position in the first place. It would be a good laugh to see them in their new stadium in the NPC.

Our old friend Charlie is trying his hardest, but no one is really biting this summer. Thankfully.

Given the names we're being linked with (and they are of top quality) I think the club see the importance of it. We've had a good 12 months of knowing we will need to replace. I don't think the club have been naive in thinking he ''may'' stay, so I'm sure we have a huge list of player's who match his attributes. It's time for the ''black box'' to pay back it's expensive fee....

I'm not surprised at Lighthouse's view to be honest, as under his previous guise as Arizona he was one of those who wanted Wotton starting in place of him. If I'm honest, I'm a little bit anxious that he's leaving. Last summer was a tricky one, as we lost lots of good players. But we still did well because the likes of Wanyama, Morgan, Clyne are of a very good level. Those guys stepping up to the mark last season, coupled with the excellent recruitment policy gave us a terrific foundation to build on. That's why I think it's so, so, so important we get the midfield position right. Just look at the stats from his season, there's no one better in the league, and then when you stick him next to Wanyama you are going to have a pretty formidable wall. There's no way we could afford a ''Gardos'' type signing in his position. He will leave an enormous hole, whilst not impossible to fill, will be incredibly difficult and somewhat pricey.

Going by the article though, it's a set fee that is compulsory to pay. Just in a years time. It helps them get him off the wage bill quicker, I suppose.

http://www1.skysports.com/transfer/news/12691/9897236/chelsea-closing-on-stoke-goalkeeper-asmir-begovic What a waste of a good goal keeper.

http://www.leparisien.fr/espace-premium/sports/southampton-a-aussi-un-oeil-sur-imbula-27-06-2015-4897811.php Anyone have a subscription....?? (Windowcleaner..?)

I think the club know the importance of that central midfield area. I still think we'll see our transfer record broken this summer, just a hunch. Signing Toby and getting an international level CM to replace Morgan would equate to a summer of perfection.

He was never dog **** in their back 4. He didn't pull up any trees, but he was solid enough. Certainly never dog ****.

Giannelli Imbula's agent reveals Inter's offer is 'not satisfying', which is why Olympique Marseilles are looking elsewhere. The saga for the French midfielder still will not abate, in spite of earlier reports that it would all be decided today. The player's agent Willy Ndagi, interviewed by Calciomercato.com, discussed the Nerazzurri's odds of signing the 22-year-old. “Inter were the first team to make a move for Imbula and they are determined to sign the player,” he said. “But right now this is not sufficient. The offer they presented to Marseilles is not satisfying. “That's why the club is considering other offers too. “We have been contacted by other clubs, who will make their offers soon.”

I must admit, I don't know a great deal about him. But he has been linked with some top, top clubs over this summer....so it would be somewhat of a coup if we did get him. Weird situation that it could be a loan as well, seeing how saught after he is. But even better for us, as it means we get a highly rated midfielder and we still have most of our budget to play with. Go on then, here's an obligatory video.

To be fair, he had a pretty crud season.

I'm all for signing young players, but you can't just write off international/CL level players who aren't even 30 yet. The bonus with Cabaye is that he's proven in this league, terrific for Newcastle and highly sought after before his mistaken move to PSG. At 29, he's probably still got 4-5 years at the top. And his top level is a lot better than Clasie's at this moment in time. Midfield is such an important part of the team, and personally, I'm tempted to go with a bit of PL experience in there. You can't shrug at the potential signing of Cabaye.

If 29 is old, then I might as well retire myself.

....

But maybe we don't have the cash. Maybe we need the influx from the Clyne/Morgan deals first, before we commit to this deal - which will surely be one of the biggest financially we've ever undertaken. In my opinion, this will continue to run.

Juanmi wasn't, neither were Kelvin or Jay. They'll both be there.

No reason to doubt what you say to be honest, so an interesting twist. Will see how this pans out.

I'm pretty sure, if i look back through this forum, the exact same was said when we sold Lovren. The fact is that there are plenty of good players out there. Fabian Schar, aleksandar dragovic, Hector Monero - 3 very talented, top level CB's who have all previously been linked with us. So there are 3 names straight away. For what it's worth, I want us to keep Toby more than anything - ever. It would send such a signal. But...if it doesn't happen for whatever reason, then whilst we will be understandably gutted, the reality is that he's not the only talented CB out there.

Would imagine Stekelnburg, Juanmi etc will join up on Monday. Wanyama, Mane probably will. Tadic? He wasn't in the internationals anyway. Davis, Jay Rodriguez etc.

Monday as far as I know.