S-Clarke

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.

He's exactly the same profile as Clyne when we snapped him up from Palace. Young, highly rated, lots of potential. A very good signing for them.

Maybe they've confused the 2 clubs. Red and white stripes, both start with S.

He had a thigh injury for petty much the entire 2nd half of the season, coupled with general fitness problems. The real Tadic was the player we saw at the start of last season.

He would be a really, really good signing to be honest. Given that the Level of clubs interested seem to be the Newcastles's, Sunderland's etc - then I'd think we have a pretty sound chance if we agree a fee.

They have to, what else can they talk about on their 24 hour news channel otherwise?? The Sky Sources crap makes me laugh though. I noticed on their website that according to ''Sky Sources'' Toby has 3 options. Stay at Atletcio, Move to saints, or be sold to the highest bidder. Can anyone explain exactly why you'd need Sky Sources to confirm the most obvious of statements?

Well, exactly. Otherwise you end up with a squad full of Neilson's, Delap's, Van Damme's etc.

I think Clasie is Closie, but from what I read Vilhena wants to stay there now. Possibly personal issues?