Saints transfer rumour thread

I have to say that I am really putting my trust in Cortese and Adkins...I don't know enough about Astori to make a judgement. But then I had never heard of Ramirez either.

 

and the big Q is had you heard of Morgan before he signed...imagine if that one never happened...

 

have we had an Italian player before?

 

Funnily enough, if Morgan plays tomorrow it is his 150th appearance for Southampton.

 

Ramirez came to us because we were only one of two teams to actually make an offer for him, Liverpool, Inter, Napoli were all linked but none made a bid. Spurs made a bid but tried to low-ball him on his personal terms as he was running out of options. We came in and gave him what he wanted, and he was happy to accept. In terms of Premier League wages, he is on peanuts, compared to what he was on at Bologna he is making a fortune. The fact that he came here because of money is quite right, in that we were the only team to give him and Bologna what was asked, but I think the reason people don't like that said is that it somewhat implies he is merely a mercenary who doesn't give a **** about us and is just here to fill his pockets. We did not table a ridiculous offer to tempt him away from big teams, we merely met his very reasonable terms which others, thankfully, wouldn't.

It is quite laughable however that we talk about Ramirez coming to us due to the wages we were offering, when you look at teams like QPR and others luring (mostly over the hill) players with £100k+ a week, and the 'big wages' we offered for one of the best available young players in Europe is about a third of that plus a little signing bonus.

 

This might not be new but read this on his Wikipedia -

"On 9 July 2012, Astori revealed he turned down a move to Russian side Spartak Moscow for worth 15million euro (£11.9m) fee after agreement between two clubs. Astori explained turning down a move to Spartak Moscow because he wants to stay at Cagliari and achieve his goals with the club".

Should give us an idea of fee! But interesting the reason he mentioned why he stayed...

 

One of the few things Lowe did right, and I remember people on the old 606 bitching about paying 1 million for a skinny, lanky french 18 year old

 

Well, Cagliari's performances have suffered due to financial issues, and now they have to move him on. Makes sense.

 

Cagliari's financial position has worsened since then.

 

Yes! The world famous Alessandro Atzeni.

 

Alessandro Atzeni, but he didnt actually play for us did he?

 

Another old face.... Gianluca Di Marzio.

 

Can't be arsed to read through the thread, but I'm guessing we've had a bid accepted and personal terms agreed?

 

Cagliari, with the interest of Southampton Astori - by Gianluca Di Marzio: http://www.gianlucadimarzio.com/calciomercato/cagliari-ce-linteresse-del-southampton-per-astori/


"Cagliari in rosso, c’è anche il nome di Davide Astori tra i possibili partenti. Tante squadre sono accostate al difensore, tra queste c’è anche il Southampton, che ha già pescato in Italia con Gaston Ramirez. L’interesse del club inglese è reale, Astori piace molto in Premier. Ci sono però poche possibilità che l’affare possa andare in porto, è una trattativa difficile."


TRANSLATED


"Cagliari in red, there is also the name of Davide Astori among the possible starters. Many teams have approached the defender, among them there is also a Southampton, which has already caught in Italy with Gaston Ramirez. The interest of the English club is real, Astori really like the Premier. However, there are chances that the deal will go through, it is a difficult negotiation."

 

Then denied because Cagliari want more. They have a script to follow in order to drag it out for weeks.

 

This sounds about right!

 

As I've said before, wouldn't it be lovely if one day Cortese could put a bag of swag on a table and just ask a player if he needed a lift to Southampton that afternoon.

 

I wonder if Cortese stays with his extensive Mafia family while sorting this deal All Praise the Don

 

Morgan <3

 

Aaron Giambattista - Italian football writer in New Orleans:

"Southampton are a smart club. There are bargains to be had in Italy. Great talents at reasonable prices. (Ramirez/Astori great examples)"