Summer 2013 Transfer Rumour Thread - Mk2

Forgive me FLT, in my transfer-fueled hysteria I was a little unclear, I think with that kind of spending Cortese would expect 8th as a minimum, with those kind of players I'd expect us to targeting 8th as a minimum. To me 8th is wide open, the top seven last year consisted of what you'd probably call the 'big clubs', then there was a 12 point gap down from Liverpool to West Brom in 8th who despite having a very good start had a fairly average season once all was said and done. Maybe it's me overestimating us or feeling we're further progressed than we are, but I've seen comments on articles about us targeting Wanyama, Banega and Damiao saying 'Wow if they got those three they might finish in the top half' and I think 'What?! We could already finish top half'. We had some serious weaknesses last season and yet could easily have finished in the top half if not for some thrown-away points and a late season slump. Provided we attend to those issues I guess I just don't see 8th as that huge or dramatic of a stride, it may be in terms of table position but not really in terms of points and actual improvement, the real challenges come after that. I'm not one to care or moan too much about transfer outlays or specific fees but it has to be said in that scenario, to be spending almost £80m over two seasons with already a foundation of a few very talented players on board and then target anything less than eighth would be a little weak I feel.

 

Good one

 

Schneiderlin is under contract so he isn't going anywhere unless we want to sell him which I assume we don't.

 

I spoke with a Sociedad fan who said there was no chance of this. £14.5m would be 4 x their transfer record for someone they would consider "unproven". He said that bar Barca and Real, all the other teams had nowhere near that money to spend.

 

They still have Xabi Prieto and Gorka Elustondo, and given their tendency to stockpile Basque players, they could probably make do with someone like Mikel Rico from Granada.

I wonder how much Ander Herrera would go for.

 

Chaplow's at it again...

"PFA always there when you need them #topdrawer"

 

I wonder what's happened? Surely the PFA can do nothing if he's just just been told he won't be involved?

 

What is his problem? Is it because he can't train at the moment? Surely, he's still being paid!!

 

I'd not think so. They do provide representatives to carry out transfers for players though.

 

Strange, I can't imagine we'd be getting in his way if he was trying to get a transfer.

 

Nor me. But they do provide agents just to negotiate a deal.

Some players get their own agent and are a client to them for as long as they choose to be.

Others just 'rent' an agent for when they're wanted.

 

Is it definitely a sarcastic comment?

 

I didn't consider that it might be sarcasm.

Sarcastic or not, it indicates a belief of his that he needs the PFA.

 

Yep get ready for the moaners

 

Didn't come across as sarcastic to me. Let's not assume the worst hey?

 

Yeah, ignore my sarcasm post. A quick glance at the first couple of comments here made me think people were assuming sarcasm when I don't think they actually were.

Seems likely to be something to do with us and my first thought is the training thing. We don't really know though.

 

Isn't thinking the worse what Saints fans do best?

 

If he's been told he can't train, then the PFA should be involved as that could have negative implications for his future.

He might also be trying to engineer a release. Lets remember what happened with Punch, club would only loan him as they had a fee they were demanding and wouldn't sell unless it was met. There could yet be some disputes between terminating his contract (which would cost the club) and a sale (which likely would not). It's unfortunate but these things do happen.

 

I don't think we'd be holding out for too high a transfer fee on Chaplow, it's more likely the teams that will be looking at him won't be able to offer him similar wages to what he's on now.