Transfer Rumours Saints January Transfer Window Rumour Thread

I wonder if he'll make a video taking the credit for the club's performances and style of play this season - he does when things are going well so he really should when they don't go so well.

Half a season to ruin all the good work.

I keep remember one of those French football supporters who said, and I paraphrase, "Puel's a c**t and he will ruin your football club".....hmmm.

 

A month ago, I would have said it was near on impossible that Virgil would leave. But after the capitulation in Europe and the recent form, I would imagine his agent is in his ear everyday. I think the 1st leg of the Semi could now be the tipping point. If we get stuffed by Liverpool.... I can see him wanting out.

I presume he could join a Champions League team and still play in that comp?

 

In theory yes he could - well I'm pretty sure that's the case anyway.

Still don't see it happening. Don't think the board are that stupid.

He's gone in the Summer though for sure.

 

I'm sure Les has told the Saints media team to come up with something stirring. Probably a new entrance song at St Mary's. That's always a winner.

 

Bring back Sammy Lee.

 

I wouldn't be surprised at all if Virgil goes! Our board has shown, that if the moneys right, the player will be off. Say if Man C or Chelsea offer, £65M. The Saints board will snap their hands off!

 

Easy, we buy 12 players at £5m each.

 

I thought the answer was more simple than that. We don't spend £60m. Spend about £25m and the rest, well, that gets listed as "profit" and we aren't too sure where it ends up...

 

If only we didn't have to pay the players as well........

New contracts and new players means more wages and the board have said before that that comes out of the sale proceeds. I don't know if it adds up to every penny received (because I really can't be bothered to look into it) but on the face of it it never seems far out. There is more to it than just the transfer fee.

 

Yes but what about the wages we stop paying the players who leave? Like you I can't be bothered to look into it too much but I suspect the combined weekly wages of Pelle, Mane, Wanyama, Ramirez, Juanmi and Davis are not too different to the combined wages of Boufal, Hojbjerg, Redmond, McCarthy, Pied and Taylor.

 

Then you have to add in all the wage increases for the players who signed extended contracts in the summer which was quite a few.

 

PUEL ‘CALM’ OVER VAN DIJK

Southampton centre-back Virgil Van Dijk has reportedly been the subject of interest from both Man City and Chelsea, with some sources believing the Dutch defender to be worth up to £60m.

Sky sources understand, however, the Saints' position is that the 25-year-old is going nowhere in this transfer window and that has been reiterated by manager Claude Puel.

“Virgil is very important for us, of course, and it’s important to stay calm,” Puel said.

“The window is always difficult. If an opportunity comes then perhaps [we can sign someone] but other things are just speculation. I prefer to focus on my team.”
(SKY)

Nothing new here.

 

Then you have to add in the large increase in TV money which was quite a lot. No matter which way you look at it the club should be swimming in money, whether or not Kat is trying to take money back for the Liebherr investment in training ground, academy is another matter

 

That's the thing: we are paying a large chunk of our wages out of the profits from the sales. Meanwhile, our club revenues have skyrocketed; our wage-to-turnover ratio has shrunk by a fair bit. So there's a lot of money there somewhere that isn't being earmarked for the playing squad.

 

True. I would think the new TV deal would more than cover those contracts though.

EDIT: Not forgetting the new shirt/kit (maker and sponsorship) deals.

 

True. I doubt we get the transfer fees all at once so maybe that's where some of the shortfall is. I assume income has to cover all club expenditure and not just the players. There are quite a few other staff plus all the ground and training ground overheads to name a few other outgoings off the top of my head. Has anyone seen the latest set of accounts?

 

But the reverse will no doubt be the case too - ie we will not pay all our transfer fees to sign players wholly up front.

 

Let's hope not. Did I see somewhere that if we sign someone on a 4 year contract then the total wages for the contract are covered from the Transfer fund? I could have dreamed that or alternatively someone could have made it up!

It doesn't look like the 2016 accounts have been lodged yet (due by end of March 2017) so we should have a better idea once they are out.

 

Virgil goes to Chelsea and we get one of their promising younsters on loan. And maybe Bouma in exchange, plus around £30m!!!! Thoughts anyone???

 

Those of us who are extremely ancient had similar feelings when Martin Chivers was sold to Tottenham. In exchange we got ..... the seasoned Frank Saul. The money helped Ted Bates buy players with pedigree and slowly Saints became an established team in the top division, until 1974!!! Hopefully the first part will repeat itself - cash plus player exchange. Maybe someone might help me out - when was the last time Southampton or any PL club for that matter used player plus cash transfer?