S-Clarke

The general story from earlier was that Panarols stake was being converted into a 30% sell on fee for any future transfer. This now seems to be the sticking point. Maybe they don't want to lose out on the money here and now, and feel Bologna should still pay up a bit? It's minor anyway, whatever the hitch is.

We've agreed an improved deal with Bologna which they are now happy with. They now get more money up front which is what they required, which has allowed them to today agree a fee with a Lazio striker. Gaston has been in Rome sorting out his visa application, and having a medical as we apparently sent our medical team to meet him there to speed the process along. The minor detail left to sort is the % Panarol get from it. They're not quite happy at the moment, but it seems to just be a minor issue. I'd say the signing is probably as imminent as it's ever been.

He doesn't though does he, as he has been spot on with every signing we've made this year. Long before we've speculated about it being a certainty. He's been loose in a few things, but he's got contacts close to Saints - that's obvious as far as I'm concerned.

Slightly different. He's coming into a totally different culture, he's actually got a slight niggle as well (I thought that was just the normal transfer injury at first, but alas it's not). Give him 2 weeks before throwing him in...!

The work permit is a formality from what I can work out. Due to his reputation in the game, his time in Italy and the fact that he has played 70% of first team games for Uruguay over the last year (inc. the Olympic games). So it should just be a formality that if required can be processed quite quickly.

He will not feature on Sunday, whatever happens. He will feature away at Arsenal though I expect.

Surprised at how far Pele dropped after leaving us. Amazingly we made a profit on him with WBA paying £1m, but they didn't keep him for long. I didn't think he was awful for us, but that penalty in the PO S/F will live long in my memory. But as a positive, his performance in the middle of the park at Elland Road will also live long in the memory. He was majestic that day.

And it will be so much easier for them to close the deal in 4 days won't it? It's impossible for another club to now steal in as far as I'm concerned. There are so many third party contractual issues in this deal that it's not something that can be easily resolved in 4 days. We've been working on this for weeks. Hence why it's in everyone's interests to sort. Bologna need the money, even more so now that they've lined up their new player. Gaston wants to move, and if this now falls through he won't get a move and everyone will be left in a mess. So that's why it will happen. Relax. I don't think it'll be done tomorrow, or Wednesday, probably late thursday going through to Deadline day.

Because it's in all parties interests for it to happen. Bologna have already moved to put the money to use by signing a new striker, who they need to get over the line ASAP. We have our guys over there today conducting a medical and he's started his visa application. The latest twist is incredibly minor as far as I'm concerned and the only reason we're getting stressed about it is because of the presence of twitter. Deals to and throw like this all the time, but it's in everyone's interests to now get this sorted ASAP.

The reason being is because up until the mid 00's, there were very little rumours on the internet. It was all sourced for press and hard copies. Now because of the nature of the world, and the introduction of twitter, facebook etc, we get to see every single detail because parties now tweet and journalists also tweet. So basically, there have probably been plenty of deals as complex as this in the past - we just never got to hear about it.

It will be sorted, don't worry. Just another twist in the constant twists of this transfer. Thankfully it only has 4 more days to run.

The most telling development for me today, is the fact that Bologna have moved for a new signing already.

Something about people in Panerol dancing because they want more money. That's my jist on it anyway.

There are about 600 thousand people dancing, the Penarol not want to give up the money what a party!

Sorry, should have clarified what I meant. He just seems quite ''small'' - but as you said, seems powerful enough to brush past players. He seems to have that explosive pace that we are crying out for in the final third. He'd make a huge difference just with his pace.

When he's signed, passed a medical and been granted a work permit I'd guess. No point jumping the gun, still hurdles to jump over.

Seems that this fella is a real target for us, so I guess it's time to have a thread and and an obligatory YouTube video. Seems to be incredibly pacey, with a very low centre of gravity so can do very nifty things with a football. Seems a little lightweight though. I would imagine this is an alternative option to Matt Phillips, he will apparently only cost £3.5m and Nixon on twitter also seems to think we'll have this wrapped up pretty soon as the QPR move didn't happen.

They clearly don't! It goes against all that the Italian press, agent and club officials have said!

Everything in that article seems completely wrong. 1 - We're not paying £15m, it's €15m 2 - There was no problem with the stake to Panarol, it was the amount Bologna got up front 3 - The contract has already been sorted. 4 - It wasn't 2 weeks ago that we had the first agreed. Weird.

There's something very suspect about him for sure. Just constantly starts thread about drivel, then replies to his thread in a new thread. Weird.

I've had SSN on it the back ground most of the day, haven't heard any such thing mentioned. Nothing on their website either.

http://www.byfarthegreatestteam.com/posts/southampton-will-stand-tall-with-ramirez-running-the-show/

Sorry, I'm not the one sad and obsessed here. Weird guy.

Be quiet. Thanks.

Simon Peach ‏@SimonPeach I am led to believe no transfers are expected at #SaintsFC today. At least the whole day can be devoted to speculation instead.