Not sure we knew Wanyama wanted to come for weeks, quite the opposite. I'd say the two situations are pretty similar.....
Yep, but you dont go that far that you reach a deal with the club if you have information that the player "would never ever be interested".... Buying players is much more complex than just make an offer to the club, agree that fee and then talk to the player...
Not at all. Maybe he wasn't jumping through hoops to come, but we knew he was fine - it had been long established we'd agreed terms, but there was a hold up over agent fees. At no point did it remotely seem like he actively didn't want to come, just that he wasn't really bothered - Osvaldo seems far more against the idea.
Agree there is def something in this. Doesn't mean the player will agree terms but NC will make it difficult for him to say no!
I still think it's pretty much the same situation - waiting for a CL or London club. Just Osvaldo is noisier than Big Vic.....
Where in the world have you got that quote from? Your idea that we wouldn't bother bidding if Cortese didn't think Osvaldo was interested is rubbish. He knows Roma want to sell so he's bid at their asking price. Numerous sources have said that Osvaldo isn't keen, but Roma are trying their hardest to persuade him. All Cortese can do is offer the money and hope he comes around.
I agree with you, and of course the bright lights of London are going to appeal to a lot of these players, and perhaps a bit more wedge in their pocket. But.....if he comes he will realise what a good set up it is here, and hopefully be part of something exciting for us and the players in the coming years.
Pochettino on Osvaldo: "It's one of many names that have popped up in the summer. We've always worked behind doors with our signings and are always careful and private about our work. We've been very cautious, but there has always been good communication between me and Nicola. We signed players when we thought it was good for the club. There's a couple of weeks left of the window so there could be more signings."
The Wanyama thing was over agent's fees. Wanyama (or his agent) had already refused a contract so they wanted to leave Celtic. Saints was a decent move for him as he wasn't going to re-sign at his current club, and we offered Premier League football and a chance to start. Osvaldo is trickier because he doesn't want to leave, and it doesn't make sense for him to leave or to come to Southampton other than his team is trying to push him out. Not saying we won't get Osvaldo but I always felt the odds were in our favor with Wanyama and the odds are against us with Osvaldo.
Precisely. It's a shame that the whole debacle with that stubborn agent has somehow convinced people that Wanyama wasn't keen. As far as we know he was keen right from the start. Not only does Osvaldo not want to leave Roma, but he doesn't want to leave Serie A. The domestic bias in their national team selection means that his chances for the World Cup squad are not good if he joins Saints. I can see him being tempted by London (or nearby), but I'm sure he'd jump at the chance to stay in Italy if it was an option. If he comes to Saints, I think we have to accept it'll be rather reluctantly.
2 hours from London? Was that measured in a 80s Fiat Panda. He'll be cruising it in just over an hour in his Ferrari. Not a great sign if the pull of the bright lights of the capital is a top priority. We want our players enjoying views of the new forest, not the views of a ladies forest in a London night spot.
Agreed there Joe. Mind you, Carroll was hardly wanting to go to West Ham. It could all work out fine - reluctant is one thing we can cope with. Grudgingly would be an issue......depends on the player's nut really.
Hmm, doesn't sit that great does it. Don't get me wrong I'd like him to sign, but with a happy clappy fan fare, not 'ok then, if I have to' type scenario.
Honestly, for someone of his ability, I'd be happy to have him, regardless of his reluctance or whatever other personality issues. You wouldn't turn Balotelli down, would you?
