No one is mate, we covet those players. I know it's annoying we are after your best players but by the looks of it we're offering big money and not trying to steal them. You should be flattered!! Seriously though, commercially it makes massive sense and everyone is a winner, you more than us. Also, if the academy keeps churning out these players their replacements aren't far away.
Morning folks, thought you might be interested to hear the latest on this transfer; statement released by Saints this morning, including the following: http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/11172160.Les_Reed_s_statement_in_full/?ref=rl What do you make of that? Clearly a reference to these Shaw rumours. Do you think there's any truth in the suggestion that United have been briefing the media to the contrary?
Agreed, it's too much. How about the rumour about £25m for Adam Lallana that's currently on our Twitter #saintsfc?
I would personally be amazed if Shaw is still a Southampton player next season, as when the big clubs come knocking they usually get there man. It's also unfair for clubs to hold back players from playing for the bigger clubs, and as long as the money's fair they will always do business. I don't want Lallana though, and I'd be amazed if Van Gaal would want him either. He's a good player at Southampton, but I think he benefits from being a big fish in a small pond down there. I think he could probably do a job for us, but I'm not convinced he's a top player. We need to be looking at guys like Reus and Griezman as potential wingers to sign, not Lallana. I wouldn't say Lallana was any better than Ashley Young was when we signed him, and he always looked like a quality player at Aston Villa, but it's a whole different ball game trying to stand out in one of the top sides, when you have so many high quality team mates. Lallana is a Spurs/Everton level player
I can't say I agree with that, although I do think Reus would be a tidy signing. I think Lallana is a very very good player and has the potential to step up a level.
We would have to pay atleast 20-25 million for Lallana, there is no way they'd let him go for 10. Reus for 30 seems a much better option
Why is he a risk? It's not like he's 19, he's a mid twenties England international and an established premier league performer. He's not even a small risk, let alone a massive one.
Given Saint's previous record in trying to keep hold of top talent (think Shearer, Bridge, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Bale, etc) I concur with King Shergar and expect Shaw to be playing for someone else next season. The current statement from our board is simply posturing and follows exactly the same pattern with the other players we ultimately sold. This is simply being done to ensure that Shaw is sold for the top dollar. Given that there is another youngster called Matthew Targett who also plays left back that is currently being talked about in glowing terms, we already have another home grown replacement. I've not seen his play but he is a player who is being talked about in the same hushed tones as Walcott and Shaw. I can't see Shaw remaining a Saint but I can't see Utd getting away with paying over the odds for him as this is the way we work. I would also add that a move to Utd would be to his benefit in a way that a transfer to Arsenal would not. Neither Walcott nor O-C have quite lived up to their potential under Wenger. As far as Lallana is concerned, he is easily the best English midfielder in the country at the moment. I would have thought that we would have been worth more than Shaw and anyone who has watched his performances at home for us will be able to vouch for the fact that is effectively runs the game for us. There is no one in the current Utd squad within spitting distance of his calibre and there is no way that he would be considered a risky purchase. The comment about being an Everton player is puerile - especially as Everton are currently ahead of Man Utd !!
Personally don't think he's good enough so unless he ups his game and performs on a regular basis under a constant spotlight then he's not worth it. I think it's a risk because he won't necessarily improve the first 11, which he needs to at that price.
He's better than Young and Nani by an absolute country mile. And Valencia, should he be played out right. He would improve the squad and first team immediately.
Totally agree, if Lallanas 25 million, then we'd be better off paying the extra 5 and getting Reus, as he's a proven world class winger at CL level. This is a guy who at 24 has 19 caps for a top nation like Germany. If Lallana was German he'd be claiming to have an Austrian granny, as that's the only way he'd be getting a chance to play international football
Agree with that, although imo he's only as good as Valencia was before we bought him. So there's always the risk that we'll buy him and two years later he'll end up not able to hack it consistently at the top, tho' obviously Valencia's injury has played a part there.
