S-Clarke

They'd be buying the wrong midfielder, to be honest. He's not an Arsenal player, their fans would simply not take to him.

I wouldn't say Lallana's, Lovrens or even Shaw's deals were completed fast. Not entirely sure where this myth has arisen from. Maybe Football Manager? He's signed, I'm not sure why everyone is still getting a tizz about it. Who cares if it's not announced yet? He'll be our player on Saturday, so it's all a bit pointless fretting isn't it?

To be fair, the walk up was pretty emphatic. Doubt they expected that turn out.

Why do we need 2 right backs?

Really hope we shift him out, no hope for him at this level. Awful football player.

No coverage on Solent.

There's no chance a club director would reveal that sort of information in a public car park. Just putting that out there.

I don't believe the fact that he's rejected us. He would have been sounded out some time ago, this work re: bids/negotiations isn't put in if the player has simply no intention. He'd have been sounded out prior to now. I guess it could be called tapping up, but welcome to the world of football.

Don't think he's said anything tbh. Kept well quiet and out of it!

Would be stunned if he signed it. He's going to asses his options over the next 6 months, I'd have thought.

It's your typical haggling stage. Happens all the time for your top targets. If we really, really want him...then we'll get him, as $2/$3m isn't going to make or break it our side. For me, the biggest comments over the last 24 hours are from Koeman who confirmed our interest.

Isn't szczesny the number 1 anyway?

Forster isn't backup, if that's what you're suggesting.

He's a good lad is Artur. He'll just get his head down. Football is all about competition at the end of the day, and it can bring the best out of individuals. We've now got ourselves 2 international GK's vying for the number 1 slot, an envious position to be in. Have always, always rated Forster. Even back in our L1 days when he was at Norwich, stood out a mile at that level.

If the price is right, the fans will come. Good pricing this year.

Graeme Bailey ‏@GraemeBailey 3m Reports from North of the Border that Southampton will sign Fraser Forster this weekend after agreeing deal with Celtic.

Almost done and dusted. Fee agreed (a £10m package), he's travelling here this weekend. Source: (and numerous Celtic ITK's) https://twitter.com/SkySports_Keith

It's the denial phase. Good player leaves club, fans decide he wasn't actually that good and they can do better. Repeat over and over.

Koeman said he trained alone for 2 days, as he was doing isolated training/more fitness training away from the rest due to his late recall to the squad (world cup duties).

It's strange, why wouldn't they think he's good enough? He's easily good enough for us, easily good enough for a starting birth in half of the PL teams. Find it truly odd why he's not seemingly rated by coaches a like.

I cannot see the club officially saying he's on strike, as that weakens our position somewhat. But reading between the lines from Koeman saying he's not mentally prepared, and K,Billy with the strike info....I think it's safe to say he is refusing to play, so is in essence on strike.

Barcelona agree £15m fee to sign Thomas Vermaelen from Arsenal An incredible price for a player who is a bit-part at Arsenal. And Barca's policy of spending stupid amounts of cash on over the hill defenders is proving quite impressive.

I think it's clear that he will go if we get the 'premium' we so desire. The issue for Morgan is that up until now, not a single club is willing to pay that premium. If we do give in and end up selling him for peanuts then we will be shown up as being incredibly weak and then any player will know exactly what to do when they want to go. We hold all the cards here, no matter how much Morgan wants to cry. We own his registration and his contract is legally binding. We have all the power so we need to use it.

See, it's a good news day. That was always on my head this pre-season.

Jesus Christ. You are quite simply confirmed as mental.