Glassesbloke

Surely some threads can be for dreamers? If he comes, he can bring Zlatan with him.

Not quite as such, and the complexities are beyond me, but there's an interesting article from the Independent on Sunday a few years back that explains how little corporation tax was then being paid by PL clubs, including assertions that the transfer accounting arrangements are a fair part of this: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/ios-investigation-footballs-tax-shame-8373895.html

Hope Les Reed's second job as French finance minister has not led to him taking his eye off the ball: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/may/12/eu-referendum-brexit-britain-michel-sapin-economy

Wasn't just the agent now, Zlatan himself said the same several months ago. At the Swedish presser, Zlatan said he has known for "some months" where he will be going and that all he has to do is press the button (waiting for RK to sign first?). That surely rules out MU, given that several months ago LvG was still about. The only thing he has said that kind of goes against a Saints move was his joking comment about football on Thursdays, otherwise anything is possible, maybe worth a punt.

Sadly you're right about reserves, but how are players not there every week suppose to get match fit? The issue remains chicken and egg, indeed the same applies to youngsters who appear for a game or two on the bench and then disappear, but at least they have the U21s or can be loaned out. You mentioned Martina, yes, one goal and seemed to improve even his defending when given a game or two. Then regressed after several games out. The turnouts for U21s you mention have mostly been one-offs from people thoroughly used to the Premier League and not even that rusty, even Juanmi was one off in the U21s I think. Maybe RK thought Juanmi would be useful in the Europe League group stages, but we messed that up: I think he should get a chance, but how?

Bloke did not suddenly become a mediocre player after turning out for Spain even, though Ok he did need to adjust to the PL. System does not allow reserves sufficient game time. Same with Yoshi, who improves when given a run, was with Gaston it seems. The game needs a proper reserve league in parallel to the first team, as well as the under-21s, who don't exactly have a large number of games. Either that, or slash permitted squad size to 18 and force teams running out of players to give youngsters a turn - now, that would nicely hurt the "big clubs"!

Had a go (should get out more...). Think you're right - at the time the announcement said: "Executive Director of Football Les Reed commented: “Cédric represents a quality addition to our squad, and is another player with a desire and hunger to succeed. “Like Juanmi, Cédric is a young player with international experience as well as exceptional talent and potential....He joined Sporting’s academy at the age of eight and progressed through to first-team football and international recognition – a pathway previously trodden by a number of our own homegrown stars." At least the club PR is consistent.

Maybe, but not sure, it comes as a part of Les Reed's quote in the press (well, the Star) about Callum's signing. But they are certainly young and foreign, though the last signing we knew about was Charlie.

Good news, shows the production line is still going. Frankly we could never hope for more than one or two a season or less to make it as first team regulars, but maybe this lad can. Les Reed is quoted: “Following the signing of two young foreign talents, it is important that we continue to demonstrate that homegrown players remain a priority at this club and the pipeline is still flowing". I must have missed it, who exactly are these two foreigners?

Maybe some of this depends on whether (50/50?) we make Europe or not, and if so (also 50/50?) if we make a vastly better effort at it than this season. GK. Can see either Stek or Gazza being second fiddle CB We may need someone, as none of the three youngsters can yet replace Jose. Even if he goes another season, we need to prepare a decent experienced leader to replace him. But just maybe that someone can be VvD in a year or two. He looks seriously committed to us and is gaining all the time in experience. And surely one out of McCarthy, Stephens and Turnbull can step up, again if we are in Europe? Full backs. Excellent. DM think we're OK assuming Vic signs up again, think he may well do so. If Vic goes, then Romeu as first choice, and/or attune JWP to that. Clasie may become a critical cog in the machine. AM not even so sure as some that Sadio will go, especially if he doesn't get back to his previous level. But we need a creative CM, there's a South American bloke called Ramirez at 'Boro. On the wings, we look OK. CF. no problems unless someone goes. Maybe get Gallagher or Seager in as serious back up or buy someone if we lose Pelle. Think Long will stay.

Precisely. How many separate stories have been published about Mane, Wanyama, Townsend etc linking them to different clubs? There's a whiff of something not quite right about the relationship between bookies and the sports they benefit from (tennis also). They should not be sponsoring clubs, and Saints should not be having an "official betting partner" or whatever it is termed.

Of all the players mentioned by the press this window as targets to move (8 of them apart from Gaston!), Ryan is surely the least likely to want to wreck his career. Also for Victor, I'm more inclined to believe the Kenyan press, than the endless articles about how Ian Wright thinks he'd be wonderful for Arsenal. Mane might be another matter - but at least we get him until the end of the season (cue more articles about Man U making a last-minute January window swoop, haven't had one of those for a week or so). Am I alone in thinking Saints figure unduly in all this press speculation?

Interesting slant this morning from an African footie website, Suggests in an exclusive that "family and friends" are urging him to sign, as he'll get the playing time at Saints. Great if true, though the rest of the article does read a bit like Saints PR.

Superb. The transformation at the back since FF returned, the hard graft in the middle (Vic and Clasie excellent), decent set pieces, tireless running from Long, and now finally someone who can actually capitalise on the chances we create: you couldn't make up Austin's debut, could you? The goal was worth £4m in itself in boosting confidence. Keep clear of too many injuries and we surely can do better than last year.

Sadly, it's a Star "exclusive" this evening - http://http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/489491/Man-United-Ryan-Bertrand-transfer-news. But maybe that is not quite normal press....

Trying to unsettle the team the day before we meet Man U? But in any case this press stuff becomes very more hysterical as the deadline approaches. I make it seven first-team regulars cited as potential departures by the press during this window (plus the Bleacher Report today saying MU should sign VvD). Clearly repeating 80 times that there will be no departures is still not enough.

Another detailed article in the Bologna paper today - http://www.ilrestodelcarlino.it/bologna/bologna-pandev-ramirez-1.1661152. Basically, if I have understood the text correctly, the club remain unwilling to alter their offer. Gaston's agent has returned to Italy today but had not moved his position either. It suggests unless there is any movement, either Gaston will see his Saints contract out, or he will have to look at the other offers (no mention of 'Boro or Swansea). Bologna are looking at other options. Another piece yesterday explained that Bologna's offer was final because Gaston's career had gone backwards at Saints, including the Hull loan. No idea about the veracity of any of this, though it sounds as if the journo spends his time buying lunches for Bologna's equivalent of Les Reed.

Certainly agree with that. But he seems convinced that Liverpool are interested. Does anyone here actually have any evidence that (a) this is really the case; (b) Saints have any interest at all in selling him at least this window; or © that, having finally got more of a role Shane wants to leave at this stage? Agreed that in effect (and Juanmi aside) we have now three strikers often perhaps competing for only one place - but Ron thinks competition is good, and in any case we are now managing to play with two plus in any case we definitely needed better back-up.

Or they're just being ironic. As a loyal youngster, I hope he can get an improved deal if need be, before all the unsettling tabloid rubbish starts up.

Had a couple of good games, so Liverhampton are offering him twice what Saints can pay.

Another excellent performance against a mid-table outfit. Unsung hero Davis gets MoM for me, just. JWP's extra set-piece practice is at last paying off. Now let's see if they can do it at Old Trafford.

Bologna paper Il Resto del Carlino had a very detailed article (http://www.ilrestodelcarlino.it/bologna/bologna-ramirez-1.1646957) yesterday. Maybe someone with better Italian can check, but as I read the article, Bologna are offering a three year contract with 700k Euros per season plus bonuses - seems Gaston wants at least double. Ball is now in Bologna's court, ie try again or withdraw. Article claims even their offer is less this season than the 2m Euros he'd get at Saints by staying put until June, and that Besiktas would pay 1.5m but would prefer Bologna if they could more or less match it. Other expressions of interest include PAOK, Cruz Azul of Mexico, and 'Boro. As Saint Charlie says, there are games going on, and maybe Gaston has a talkative agent - but I also get a feeling he is more motivated by the cash than anything else. He may therefore just sit tight until June so, if we're losing, Ron can give him ten minutes on the field some time, to make no difference.

Maybe we dodged a bullet anyway? France Football's website (http://www.francefootball.fr/news/Quand-l-om-a-cru-se-debarrasser-d-ocampos/624676) says his value for money has been almost zero, that his tactical intelligence is far from perfect, and he gets on the nerves of some of his team-mates, etc... Then again, was it ever a serious Saints bid, that makes 37 people (I missed a few no doubt) that we've been "linked" by the media with since November?

Name's Les

First time poster on here, started watching them in '66 but left the area in '70 and the country in '90, sadly don't get to see them live much. Agree this story is likely to be bilge, it's reported only in the Gazzetta dello Sport's English-language website, which regurgitates mainly English tabloid stuff. May have missed it, but nothing visible on the main Italian site. Same goes for today's Pelle to Fiorentina rumour, either there on Sky Sports Italia (which Gazzetta World quotes as the source). Yet each Italian site has loads of transfer rumours of their own. Probably the wrong thread to say it, but nearly all this press transfer stuff has to be complete rubbish, out of curiosity I've been listing Saints rumours since 1 November (yes, I should get out more), and have recorded "links" to no fewer than 36 possible incoming players, probably missed a few. Can't believe it's agents doing this (why on earth would stuff in the Daily Star make a club interested in a player?), but is it more likely to come from betting companies drumming up business?