Southampton Transfer Rumours

20 Sep 2020 10:33:23
The swap deal of Butland-Gunn is apparently back on the cards. Really not what we should be prioritising and can't say I rate Butland very highly having nearly gone down to League 1 with stoke.

Also hearing nothing on a CM in recent days. Only a couple of weeks to go. That poll where Saints fans were most optimistic for the new season isn't looking too smart anymore.

20 Sep 2020 13:49:25
Very frustrating watching Saints today. Feel Jack Stephens spends most of the game ball watching and has little or no awareness. We're suffering from having no real protection of the back 4 by a quality Defensive midfielder - Romeu is back up at best. SOLUTION: Get Salisu in for Stephens and buy a quality defensive midfielder asap.

20 Sep 2020 13:54:39
Don’t understand the reason for extending Stephens both this week and last week has shown how susceptible he is to the long ball, ball watches like there’s no tomorrow. Surely Salisu is a better option even if he’s not fully up to speed with how Saints do things. Agree with Marty that Romeu is not the answer for Hojbjerg replacement.

21 Sep 2020 12:57:59
Let’s go left field.

Salisu comes in as CB with Stephens moving to DMC. He is not too bad on the ball, he can spot a long ball and can tackle. His pace let’s him down but could do a job patrolling/ protecting the back four?

21 Sep 2020 16:03:18
I'm having trouble working out what has changed in the players minds in the last month. They were playing top 6 football at the close of last season and players like Stephens were putting in top rate performances. like that against Man City. The game is the same as are the personel yet the fizz has fizzled out.?

14 Sep 2020 08:15:37
Seeing rumours that Spurs want Ings. surely that won't happen?!

{Ed002's Note - I am not aware of any approach.}

14 Sep 2020 10:08:44
Levy wouldn’t pay the £40m+ we’d want. I would want £60m at least. And why would he knowingly go to Spurs to be bench fodder for Kane? Money. But hopefully he has more pride than that playing for his boyhood club. Hopefully.

14 Sep 2020 10:34:17
Unfortunately if Spurs offered £30M + I think our board would seriously consider selling him. I really don't think that Danny would want to go there, like you say SaintGGsy just to warm the bench and come on for 10 minutes when Maureen decides that Kane isn't going to score.

15 Sep 2020 09:16:10
I hope we're not that greedy, that we would sell a prime 20+ goals a season striker for only 30m. I don't think we would, we held out until we received 75m for VVD.

15 Sep 2020 13:04:35
And unlike that swine Danny is happy and wants to be here, and not throw his toys out the pram having been paid several million despite not playing for months. Not that I’m still bitter 🤣.

17 Sep 2020 17:07:32
Hi Ed it's been reported in our local paper today that spurs have made an official enquiry after Ings, was wondering if you had an further insight on the situation please? Ings also hasn't signed a new deal with talks on going. I can imagine the chance to play under Jose and the chance to play alongside some of the players at spurs could be quite attractive for any player.

{Ed002's Note - Danny Ings (S) Spurs have been told by one of his representatives that the player is not available and that he would not be interested in being a bench warmer which would kill off international hopes.}

17 Sep 2020 20:01:12
Thanks for the update, sorry I know it must be frustrating when people keep asking the same questions over and over.

{Ed002's Note - No problem Phil.}

19 Sep 2020 13:15:46
Hi Ed
Things have moved on quite a bit since your August update and a number of the ins / outs you listed have either happened, gone elsewhere or seem to be staying put.
Are you aware of any fresh activity?
Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - It has moved on a bit with Emmanuel Dennis (F/RW) but Brugge has placed a significant €20M price tag on the player that Newcastle, Brighton and Watford see as far too much. The player has also been watched by Lille, Southampton, Monaco, Sheffield United, Sampdoria and Borussia Dortmund - and Southampton could see if a deal can be done at a better price involving Hoedt as part of the deal. There is a complication to be addressed in that Anderlecht is more attractive to WH but they only want a loan.}

19 Sep 2020 16:50:46
Thanks Ed. Doesn't sound too promising so we can only hope they're keeping a couple of good signings low key. Could be a long season without reinforcements.

10 Sep 2020 23:33:20
Reading (albeit in the Mail) that American Joseph DaGrosa is in talks to buy the club for £200m. Can't say I know much of the man but if he's willing to invest in the club then why not.

Also news from Ralph today that he wants another CM, a few 'alternatives' as squad back up - I presume this includes a striker and possibly another full back, and that a keeper will be leaving.

11 Sep 2020 09:52:35
Seen this in the online papers. He's the president of Bordeaux football club and was in talks to buy Newcastle a while ago. Would love to have someone come in who would actually invest in the club. Our way of buying young players to sell on at a profit won't work for ever. We need someone who will back the manager with cash.

09 Sep 2020 09:31:08
I'm reading that the top teams in Belgium what to buy Hoedt but won't be able to meet the asking price.

Do you think there's potential that we could bring someone in from one of these clubs as a potential swap deal?

09 Sep 2020 13:52:01
I think in this current climate swap deals are a perfectly viable option.

From Club Brugge they have two forwards in David Okereke and Emmanuel Dennis, from Anderlecht Yari Verchsaeren (AM) the next Belgium wonder kid and Jeremy Doku (RW), all in the 18 - 23 year range.

Would love Yari Verchsaeren as big things are tipped for him.

09 Sep 2020 16:01:55
I know Ed's mentioned in a previous post that we were looking at Yari Verschaeren as a potential signing, not sure what his value is. But I think there could be an option for us to swap him with Hoedt +5m and then even loan him back to Anderlecht, for the next season.

This is obviously all hypothetical though!

09 Sep 2020 23:27:08
I hear that Club Brugge have a decent tea lady. We could always try to swap Hoedt for her.

10 Sep 2020 18:36:42
I’d give them Hoedt and £5m just to see the back of him.

05 Sep 2020 15:36:27
Hearing that Saints are interested in Arsenal youngster Folarin Balogun.

03 Sep 2020 19:02:18
Rumours starting to circulate about Saints bidding for Teun Koopmeiners from AZ Alkmaar. Has anyone else heard anything?

04 Sep 2020 19:38:39
Would love that to come off but can’t see it happening with bigger clubs linked, feel he’d move to a CL club if he were to move.

03 Sep 2020 12:58:54
Heard we are interested in Ajer from Celtic. Ball playing centre half. Do we need that? Could he maybe do a job as a defensive midfielder protecting the back line? Thoughts?

03 Sep 2020 19:09:11
If it were Hinteregger I would understand as he is undoubted quality. Ajer we don’t need and I’d rather just sign an out and out CM.

03 Sep 2020 23:50:51
I've watched Ajer a few times and he's been very ordinary. I certainly don't think he'd add much to our squad. Would love for Hinteregger to join us but I think that the fee might be too high.

02 Sep 2020 15:59:58
Hi Ed
Now that McKennie has gone to Italy and Reed and Lemina to Fulham I'm not seeing any rumours about a midfielder to replace PEH. I like Romeu but I can't see him playing every game. Are you aware of any players Saints are tracking for this role?

{Ed002's Note - I gave you a list of what I know.}

02 Sep 2020 16:53:42
Seems to have gone a bit quiet at St. Marys. Would have loved to have got Hinteregger but I think that Saints backed out when quoted £23M. Not sure that anyone else will be coming in so hope that we don't get too many long term injuries as I don't think we have enough quality on the bench.

26 Aug 2020 14:02:33
Not that I ever thought it was realistic but McKennie looks to be headed for Juve. So a touch out of our league.

CM and FWD for.

26 Aug 2020 17:10:37
CM and FWD for me will do.

Also looks as tho Fulham are going to be signing Reed and, bizarrely, Lemina on a loan to buy - can’t quite work that one out!

26 Aug 2020 20:12:43
I can't understand why Lemina would want to go to Fulham but hopefully we can take the best part of £20M off of Fulham for him and Reed and give it to Ralph to bring in a couple of players. Still a couple more players on our books that we need to get rid of though.

26 Aug 2020 21:59:09
Loan out a keeper, Hoedt and Carrillo haven’t even been given squad numbers so hopefully they’re off and I’ll be content, bring in two more and we’re golden.

27 Aug 2020 14:38:21
Agree SaintGGsy but which keeper would you send out on loan?

27 Aug 2020 17:07:55
Angus Gun for me. Championship team to get back his mojo after ‘the game that cannot be named’.

27 Aug 2020 18:46:33
Agreed - McCarthy is our #1, Forster has been away and had a decent season with Celtic, so has earned a chance to fight for his place. Gunn has a chance, was part of a poor run for the side but is still young - if he were to make a similar move to Dean Henderson and go to a top half championship side that should be good for his development.

27 Aug 2020 21:13:05
I agree. If Forster comes back as he was when he first came to Saints I think he'll be pushing McCarthy for the No.1 spot. Gunn needs a run of games for a decent championship side to build his confidence.

27 Aug 2020 22:35:06
If Forster shows the form he had when he first joined or when he returned from injury when he kept 6 clean sheets in a row, or even the form he showed last season, then there's no doubt he'll be no. 1. On his day he's easily one of the top 5 'keepers in the league.

28 Aug 2020 09:27:06
Agreed, Fraser was one of the best keepers and an integral part of our success during RK tenure with us. His giant height allowed him to command the box and come out to collect crosses into the box with ease. I do AM has been really good for us, he's made some really important saves that have kept us in the Prem. It'll be interesting to see what happens with both of them.

31 Aug 2020 11:18:15
Anyone think we’ll get Darwin Nunez?

31 Aug 2020 16:05:32
Personally no, looks like bigger and better clubs have now started touting him so he’ll probbaly go to Serie A I’d imagine.

24 Aug 2020 10:21:07
Hi Ed002, hope you are well. Just wondering if you have any insight to future transfer targets? sorry if you have already done this. Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - Possible Departures:

Fraser Forster (G) Celtic were keen - but it is unclear now
Jack Rose (G) Released
Cedric Soares (RB) Moved to Arsenal
Ryan Bertrand (LWB) Should sign a new contract and stay
Jannik Vestergaard (CB) Leicester have asked after a price for Vestergaard and Southampton are after recruiting a reasonably priced centre back. They had set their heart on a younger player of which much is expected but have been knocked back in an approach - and options become thinner on the ground in January when clubs do not have replacements lined up. This would add credence to the suggestion that they are considering Vestergaard as Southampton are willing to let him go.
Maya Yoshida (CB) Released
Oriol Romeu (DM) wanted by Celta Vigo but I cannot see they will be able to afford him. Southampton may be open to a summer sale.
Mario Lemina (CB) Galatasaray, Besisktas and Werder Bremen are all keen.
Harrison Reed (CM/DM) Available.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (CM) Moved to Spurs.
Sofiane Boufal (LW) Celta Vigo want another loan and Southampton may be open if there was an obligation to buy him in the summer - but finances may be an issue. Milan have enquired after his availability, but no more.
Marcus Barnes (F) Released

Players of interest:

Robbie Mutch (G)
Kyle Walker-Peters (RB) Signed from Spurs
Bartosz Bereszynski (RB) May not be interested in providing cover
Aaron Hickey (LB) Hearts player who is attracting interest from the Premier League and is of an age where he could become Home Grown. Crystal Palace, Southampton, Manchester City, Everton and Newcastle have shown some interest. Only needed if Ryan Bertrand leaves - so unlikely.

Martin Hinteregger (CB) The Southampton manager has explicitly requested the club try to recruit Hinteregger.}
Mohammed Salisu (CB) Transfer completed to Southampton.
Omar Colley (CB) A Plan B to MH.

Weston McKennie (CM/DM) wants to play in the Premier League and watched by Brighton, Everton and Crystal Palace, but the smarter scouts should have noticed that Schalke have a far better midfield player in Suat Serder which is where the efforts should be going. Southampton and Newcastle have a declared interest. Hertha Berlin has a declared interest and plenty of money. McKennie would be an option to replace Douglas Luiz if he were to leave Aston VIlla. Southampton have met with Schalke as they see McKennie as a replacement for Pierre-Emile Hojberg.
Morgan Sanson (CM) very, veryunlikely
Ozan Tufan (CM) Southampton, Everton, Augsburg, Crystal Palace, Freiberg, Cologne and Leicester have apparently enquired after his availability.
Jacob Maddox (AM) plan was to join Southampton on a permanent basis but moved elsewhere.
Yari Verschaeren (AM) interesting Lille and Southampton, there may be efforts to seek a move for fear of Anderlecht facing sanctions. Unlikely.
Ben Chrisene (M) opted for Aston Villa.
Eberechi Eze (RW) very, very unlikely
Darwin Nunez (S) may be too expensive at €20M with lots of interest from elsewhere.}

24 Aug 2020 14:37:16
WOW thank you very much Ed002 :)

24 Aug 2020 15:57:14
Thanks Ed, absolute legend! Interesting to see we are still scouting in the same circles as Newcastle, Villa, Everton. They tend to overpay and reap little reward so hopefully we choose wisely and don’t get suckered in by money and competition.

{Ed002's Note - Tough times financially. And rememnber Gao Jisheng is open to selling up to the full 80% of his holding in Southampton. If he cannot sell it all he would be happy to sit on just under 30% to see if any improvement can be found with a new investor. This has been the situation since the Spring of 2019.}

25 Aug 2020 15:56:23
Thank you for this Ed, it’s really helpful. Be great to recruit 2/ 3 players from that list but with Gao’s position I’m not optimistic.