Sofiane Boufal

[Katalinic]

Appreciate its a bit simplistic but I don't have all the information available.

 

Rough guess we must have a sizeable amount left after the Ins/outs this summer

 

Can only assume we also had a bit to spend before any player sales

 

You haven't factored in the increased costs of the numerous new contracts.

[doddisalegend]

Thanks for the info AR-10, Boufal is a great signing! Another 10m for Ziyech would be just fine, thank you.

 

Imagine Boufal, Tadic and Ziyech playing together for Saints... Nah, that's just a wet dream. I guess the next player will be someone who can run fast.

 

wouldn't that be like having 3 creators in one team. My impression from the early season games is we need a finisher (56 attempts on goal and only two goals scored) we are making chances but aren't being very clinical in front of goal.

[Tommog]

Good to see we are getting a signing over the line. I just hope a mixture of recovering from an injury without a pre-seaon, adjusting to first year premiership pace/physicality and the rumored Africa Cup of Nations departure in Jan isnt too much for him. Realistically speaking could be next season before we see his real potential. Ballsy move to make a big play for him this summer knowing we will probably not get a full season out of him.

[doddisalegend]

I'll admit I know next nothing about this bloke other than people on here say he is good and he probably won't play until October. So I'll wait to see him play a few times before I decide on weather this is a good or bad signing.

[Lighthouse]

Cellophane Boufal!

 

Good to get this deal wrapped up.

[Batman]

I'll admit I know next nothing about this bloke other than people on here say he is good and he probably won't play until October. So I'll wait to see him play a few times before I decide on weather this is a good or bad signing.

 

bedwetter. ffs.

[Danny R]

you're Sofiane

I bet you think this thread is about you

you're sofiane

I bet you think this thread is about you

don't you?

 

Genius...

 

How about;

 

You're Sofiane, I bet you think you'll score against Man U.

you're Sofiane, I bet you think the scousers will buy you, don't you.

[shurlock]

A club record fee - Jesus wept. Have we not learned anything from the blue few?

 

#financialarmageddon

[nta786]

And to think that Bournemouth bought Ibe for £15m

[Sour Mash]

wouldn't that be like having 3 creators in one team. My impression from the early season games is we need a finisher (56 attempts on goal and only two goals scored) we are making chances but aren't being very clinical in front of goal.

 

Don't think we are making lots of chances. Lots of those shots speculative from edge of area etc.

[eelpie]

Welcome Sofiane. A timely recruit.

[Ex Ringwood Saint]

Hey Boufal you're Soufiane, you're Soufiane you blow my mind hey Boufal..

 

nice bit of early 80's Toni Basel...

 

Welcome...

[doddisalegend]

Don't think we are making lots of chances. Lots of those shots speculative from edge of area etc.

 

Still a chance on goal though some players are very good with long range shots we haven't had a player like that in a while. The only two long range rockets we've scored recently that stick in my mind is Martina and Clyne (both against arsenal weirdly)

[Sour Mash]

Still a chance on goal though some players are very good with long range shots we haven't had a player like that in a while. The only two long range rockets we've scored recently that stick in my mind is Martina and Clyne (both against arsenal weirdly)

But we're restricted to lots of long range speculative efforts because we're not creating proper clear cut chances, which is the point. A creative player isn't the full answer anyway, but it will help.

[Chalkboy]

I think Les Reed will have been singing this;

 

Do-lang, do-lang, do-lang

Do-lang, do-lang

 

He's Sofiane

Wish he were mine

That handsome boy over there

The one with the short wavy hair

 

I don't know how I'm gonna do it

But I'm gonna make him mine

He's the envy of all the clubs

It's just a matter of time

 

He's a soft spoken guy

Also seems kinda shy

Makes me wonder if I

Should even give him a try

 

But then I know he can score

He can score away forever

And I'm gonna make him mine

If it takes me forever

 

He's Sofiane

Gotta be mine

Sooner or later

I hope it's not later

We gotta get together

The sooner the better

I just can't wait, I just can't wait

To be held in his arms (oooer missus)

[Baird of the land]

Hope it works out better than Osvaldo deal.

Get a bit nervous buying injured players after Delgado debacle too.

Also with him being injured he isn't going to have any influence on turning round our diabolically bad start.

[ALWAYS_SFC]

Welcome Sofiane...

 

Don`t read this forum if we don`t win, the depression will astound you

[SuperSAINT]

 

And now this #BoufalWatch has ended.

 

Exceptionally happy with this deal - Cannot wait to see him in action & really hopeful he can give us what we need.

 

He's very much a Saints type of signing - The big clubs have all looked and don't think he's ready, so he's come here to try and make the step up.

[van Hanegem]

wouldn't that be like having 3 creators in one team. My impression from the early season games is we need a finisher (56 attempts on goal and only two goals scored) we are making chances but aren't being very clinical in front of goal.

 

Boufal and Ziyech are both creators and finishers. You could play Tadic from the left, Ziyech from the right and Boufal at the top of the diamond. Of course there will be whiners who'll say there's no balance in the team with those three but who cares about them? Anyway, Ziyech is going to Ajax or Swansea so it won't happen.

[St.JonB]

Still a chance on goal though some players are very good with long range shots we haven't had a player like that in a while. The only two long range rockets we've scored recently that stick in my mind is Martina and Clyne (both against arsenal weirdly)

 

I'm trying to come up with a list of players who constantly score from long range - i've only come up with Le Tiss and Roy Race so far. Unfortunately both have retired. Any others?

[St.JonB]

Boufal and Ziyech are both creators and finishers. You could play Tadic from the left, Ziyech from the right and Boufal at the top of the diamond. Of course there will be whiners who'll say there's no balance in the team with those three but who cares about them? Anyway, Ziyech is going to Ajax or Swansea so it won't happen.

 

Would work if we played one up front and two defensive midfielders. Not in the diamond though.

[Tommog]

I'm trying to come up with a list of players who constantly score from long range - i've only come up with Le Tiss and Roy Race so far. Unfortunately both have retired. Any others?

 

Jay Rod too.. if the keeper jumps over the ball

[nick1579]

To my mind still doesn't mask the fact that our strikers just aren't good enough to get us anywhere near the top 6 this season. We just aren't going to score enough goals.

[david in sweden]

well ...he's signed at last, but we have to wait a bit longer to see him play. Just as long as his fitness issues don't include " a minor operation " ....

 

Hopefully he's fit enough for the Europa League games, although we should be sure to get his visa cleared in time for the visit to Beersheba at the end of September.

[dronskisaint]

Quality signing - Well done Southampton FC with special mention to Les Reed.

 

My palms hurt from all that clapping but I don't spend my life washing sheets! ;-)

[Batman]

This was down to Les Reed going out of his way completely and the integrity of Boufal's representives.

 

It took close to 18 Months to get this guy (as I've said before) and we weren't the only club in for him (also as I've said before), there were

one or 2 that came in late and nearly hijacked the entire deal, which was why I couldn't say any more than I was saying, as you never know who is reading

and I took a lot of stick for that.

 

I genuinely thought it was going to collapse at one point.

 

We had a preliminary offer accepted which in itself was already a club record, other clubs showed their hand and Chelsea came in with a ridiculous bid early last week, but Les had invested

so much into getting this guy and moved extremely quickly to get it done as I understand Sofiane really wanted to come here and we were the choice of his representatives as well..

(read into that what you like, personally to me that's a positive)

 

As I confirmed here:

http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?56199-Summer-Transfer-Targets-Thread&p=2380695#post2380695

 

 

Whilst I don't know what the exact fee was, it would almost definitely be a lot more than £16M as quoted by sky as that was our first bid and I'm guessing that is the

ONLY info they have.

 

 

P.S I am expecting 1 more, this is probably going to be around @£10M if it get's done.

cheer for the update Les.

[OttawaSaint]

Hey, Boufal can run fast.

 

He'll need to. The pitchforks are ready, torches lit.

 

Joking aside, it was awesome to wake up and see a Boufal signing video on Saints' facebook feed.

 

Welcome Sofiane!

[Webby]

I was near the back in block 11 on Saturday and it's possible that boufal was sat with pied in the adjacent block. Certainly looked like him now I've seen pictures and interview.

[glengarryleads]

Hey Boufal you're Soufiane, you're Soufiane you blow my mind hey Boufal..

 

nice bit of early 80's Toni Basel...

 

Welcome...

 

fantastic!

[Webby]

Genius...

 

How about;

 

You're Sofiane, I bet you think you'll score against Man U.

you're Sofiane, I bet you think the scousers will buy you, don't you.

 

Or,

 

You're sofiane, you're sofiane, Liverpool is nothing to be scared of.

 

Edit: Adam and the Ants - Prince Charming.

[Turkish]

The small face itchycoo park

 

It's soufanne Boufaul

It's soufanne Boufaul

[Wimborne_saint]

I was near the back in block 11 on Saturday and it's possible that boufal was sat with pied in the adjacent block. Certainly looked like him now I've seen pictures and interview.

 

Thought that too at first but turns out it was just Cedric's friend

[AR-10]

cheer for the update Les.

 

So I've gone from "Jack Schitt" to "Les Reed" now?

 

Forget it, this is mission impossible and not worth my time.

[Batman]

So I've gone from "Jack Schitt" to "Les Reed" now?

 

Forget it, this is mission impossible and not worth my time.

 

lighten up Les, was a joke ffs.

 

Don't get all precious because others fawn over your posts

 

so, what position if the next target in? Striker, CM? defender?

[alpine_saint]

Just spoke to a French colleague who is a big football fan.

 

Boufal is a mouthy sod, but a fantastic player. Comparison with Mahrez is not without grounds.

 

He couldnt believe he signed for lowly Southampton...

[davefizzy14]

So excited by this signing! This was the one I wanted. Boufal is one of the most exciting players around in world football my opinion. Get in! Welcome onboard Sofiane

[Disco Stu]

 

Finally someone who knows where the back of the net is!

[Glassesbloke]

I was near the back in block 11 on Saturday and it's possible that boufal was sat with pied in the adjacent block. Certainly looked like him now I've seen pictures and interview.

 

Tempting to think that Pied, who was signed a bit out of the blue on a free, was purchased to give Sofiane a bit of francophone company at training. If so, he won't be much help for a while.

[Chris27687]

I wonder if when we where looking for a manager they wanted someone who played a true AMC in their preferred formation so we would have the best chance of signing this guy?

[alpine_saint]

Tempting to think that Pied, who was signed a bit out of the blue on a free, was purchased to give Sofiane a bit of francophone company at training. If so, he won't be much help for a while.

 

Is his mouth being operated on as well then ??

[MarkSFC]

So I've gone from "Jack Schitt" to "Les Reed" now?

 

Forget it, this is mission impossible and not worth my time.

 

Cmon AR-10 let us know which position this £10m ish player is?!!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[scotty]

So I've gone from "Jack Schitt" to "Les Reed" now?

 

Forget it, this is mission impossible and not worth my time.

 

Most of the regular posters on here are usually grateful for snippets of inside info. Keep them flowing, and ignore the cynics.

[SuperSAINT]

So I've gone from "Jack Schitt" to "Les Reed" now?

 

Forget it, this is mission impossible and not worth my time.

 

The large majority of us very much appreciate your snippets, AR-10.

 

Cmon AR-10 let us know which position this £10m ish player is?!!!

 

Well, if LeG is correct, it could very well be Riccardo Saponara.

[Danbert]

Hats off to Sir Les - nice one :-)

[Batman]

The large majority of us very much appreciate your snippets, AR-10.

 

 

 

Well, if LeG is correct, it could very well be Riccardo Saponara.

a midfielder of the attacking variety

[Shance]

Absolutely delighted with this news. What a signing.

[SuperSAINT]

a midfielder of the attacking variety

 

Yeah, I posted some scouting reports on him on the main transfer thread last night. Sounds an interesting prospect. Reports are he doesn't want to leave Italy though.

[Saint Benali]

cheer for the update Les.

 

Pretty sure that guy is a wum tbh.

[Strangely Brown]

well ...he's signed at last, but we have to wait a bit longer to see him play. Just as long as his fitness issues don't include " a minor operation " ....

 

Hopefully he's fit enough for the Europa League games, although we should be sure to get his visa cleared in time for the visit to Beersheba at the end of September.

 

Careful David, questions that may refer to the clubs medical prowess might bring a curt response from the fat fingered Reynoldson!!:

[EBS1980]

Do you reckon there'll be any more signings?

 

I don't know, the person I know was only involved in this deal. Personally hope another two, forward and cover RB if martina goes.