S-Clarke

If he's had extended leave, similar to that of Maya, then he's probably not up to the level to play in a match yet.

We're going to win the league. Good workout by the sounds of it.

A fatter version of Lallana?

Not massively bothered, Osvaldo doesn't ''feel'' right to me if i'm honest.

They've been pretty good. They called the Gaston deal last year before anyone else, would imagine there's something in it, but probably one of many options we're looking at.

Last summer I think. But, no, he doesn't set the pulse racing at all to be honest. A very average goal scoring record to say the last, up until his stint in Italy where he did better. Still not great though. Would hope we secure someone slightly more proven!

A striker who plays for FC Lorient I believe. Was on loan in Italy last year, did ok by all accounts.

Why would we want to buy backup though? The way to do it is to buy players who are better than the current player, therefore the ''current'' player then becomes the backup. All part of the squad evolution if it's done correctly. Signing players just to be backup is a sure fire way to having a hell of a lot of dead wood, which becomes near on impossible to flog.

Agreed. convinced myself it was either him of Wanyama, would have been chuffed with either. but to get both, holy ****. ''It's Happening''. Yes, it is.

Doesn't feel like the sort of signing we'd make for that price, to be honest. On a free transfer, maybe, but I can't see us paying around £10m for a 31 year old these days.

Assume that's a sarcastic post. I don't think anyone is judging him on one game.

Roma's best striker who they want to sell ASAP, will make any deal easier to conclude from that front. Internactional are openly listening to offers of £20m euro. Lukaku will not be for sale, full stop.

Wouldn't have thought so.

blimey. Would imagine the answer will be a big fat no though. No harm in asking though I guess.

"Mauricio Pochettino is close to convince his fellow countryman, Ever Banega, to join in his project at Southampton. The news about the English club’s interest in signing the Argentinean mid-fielder was first broken by ‘The Sun’. The offer was tempting for Valencia -10 million [EUROS]. The footballer, notwithstanding, did not seem quite keen. We was not convinced of landing in a mid-table team in the Premier League and the whole affair had overtones of utopia. However, the former manager of Espanyol, did not give up and one month on the transfer may take place. Pochettino knows of Banega’s technical characteristics and is convinced his game can help Southampton to give the quality jump they need to rub shoulders with the big teams in the Premier League. The Argentinean manager has placed in England the same bets on possession and combinations as on the Spanish ‘La Liga’ which brought him to the attention Southampton’s board. Banega would fit with no problems in this scheme and it seems that the footballer would be keener on moving to English football. For Valencia, these 10M are still a good offer, so as soon as the footballer given his consent, the transfer will be made.

Does seem slightly overkill as you say, but looking at it another way........we have an opportunity to sign a current CM for Argentina, who is 25 years old, for less than £8m. That's just isnane and we see it as an opportunity too good to pass up I'd think. Makes you wonder why the hell other clubs aren't linked though, at that price he will be the bargain of the decade.

It has made me wonder if the rumours in the Spanish press about Sociadad wanting Morgan may have something more to it (they have $40m euro to play with now to replace their star CM) I doubt they do, and we will just have lots of options. But it does make you a little nervous!

Looks like this one might be happening.

To be honest, I have no idea who is serious and who isn't on here these days. Everyone is beginning to merge into one.

I think we should stick with ''There's only one *Insert name here*"

Where's that from? The latest update from yesterday suggests that we have ''accelerated'' our interest, contacts are being drawn up and that he's our priority whilst in spain.

I think what you're also seeing is how the new TV deal will change the landscape. You wouldn't have seen Norwich going for this level of player last year, but they now have the extra clout to do so - same as Swansea. If you're financially well run and on a decent footing, the increased money can enable you to make some real strides. Will be interesting to see how the rest of the window takes shape.

I think he's said no a second time. We tried again for some reason.

anyone get the feeling we're not going to play with much width next season? And the majority of the width will be provided by the full backs? A lot of us saw a winger as a priority in the summer, but that's not on anyone's radar by the looks of it.

Sounds to me as if a contract in principle has been agreed with Napoli, including agent fees etc - but Napoli still haven't given Internactional the fee they want. But we sound like we want to pay what they want. Interesting.