Lallana's Left Peg

I am not sure why you are being so defensive? It is going to be hard to replace two central midfielders in one summer. We'll have good funds to do so, but even if we sign good players 'on paper', we won't know if we've adequately replaced them until the other side of Christmas when they have settled in. Given that we know our team is based on a brilliant central midfield (in terms of defence especially), then it is a big ask. That is not to say it can't be done, but it's hard.

Going to be a big ask to effectively replace Cork and Schneiderlin in this transfer window.

Sorry, not sure I follow you on that one. You only want players at Saints who want to stay at Saints no matter what the interest from other clubs? I honestly don't think there is a single player in our squad that loves Saints to the point they would do that.

Managing to shift Osvaldo would be a big win.

I think it's just down to money. Not many better teams than Stoke in this country would want him.

No not an ITK, just been told by someone who I think would know. Said a deal has been agreed between the clubs. However, from what I can tell these days, that is just the start.

Schneiderlin to Arsenal for about £25m.

The Echo say this:

Surely a purchase of land would cost a significant amount and would be visible in the latest accounts? If so, it's complete crap.

If he is Sterling's replacement then it is a strange one.

How do you know he doesn't want to be at Saints? He may be happy at Saints but want to see if a better offer comes along - it hardly makes him the sort of player Saints doesn't need. If anything, I'd rather have a good player who attracts interest from other (better) clubs than one who isn't as good and has no interest.

The reports that suggest he hasn't told Saints whether or wants to stay or leave in the face of a bid from Liverpool makes me think that too.

I think Liverpool need to sort out their coaching staff vacancies before diving into signing players.

Any update on this?

His pre-contract agreement is legally binding so really his 18th birthday is the big milestone. That's a long way away so for now we just have to manage his development properly.

Damaged goods but under the circumstances it is a decent signing I think.

This is great news. However, aren't the rules that you can only sign a 2 year deal when you are 17, and then longer deals when you turn 18?

All seems very petty. Stoke do have a bit of a victim mentality.

Would you think Charlie Austin will join to sit on the bench and start half a dozen league games a year though?

No surprise though, there clearly isn't room for him at Saints.

In a nutshell, the weekends news that Atletico have sold some players (including a central defender) means they must be confident their transfer ban won't come to fruition and that increases our chances of signing Alderweireld, as does the news that suggests he wants to sign for us. I feel more positive but am still doubtful.

He's very talented though - if he wasn't as talented he wouldn't have got so many chances in the game despite his issues. Good players always get second, third, fourth etc. chances.

I think you're probably right on that front.

Do you really think if Cortese was still here we'd be expanding the stadium though?

West Ham get FC Lusitans.