I'm wondering how this kind of information finds its way to the press, and I'm thinking that maybe the club would leak this information itself, if it's basically a sure thing that he'll sign. Conversely if there was a good chance he'd turn the contract down, they'd be very careful to avoid it entering the public sphere.
Yeah, I was working this out. I guess if the worst happens and he does leave, it means they can't be accused of not trying to keep him here? One of the criticisms of Saints and the Pochettino saga was that we should've made the offer public.
Will they use the same 5 year contract template signed by other saints stars like luke shaw & lallana ?!
Is it the St Mary's based Southampton FC, or the Anfield based one? Seriously, if he signs it then that is a great bit of news for the fans, the club and two fingers up to Spuds or anyone else waving a cheque book about .... you're gonna need a bigger cheque book if he signs that
Imagine a world without the media, info leaks, agents and tabloid journalism...would football be boring?
Good stuff, he probably deserves a pay rise. Be a real nice piece of news for us fans if he signs it. Of course, contract don't mean much, but it would give us the ability to get more money for him if he would ever leave.
That's decent. Better than letting it wait until the end of the year and being put in a disadvantageous spot.
Fair point but it still sends out a good message at the beginning of an important campaign. And if it helps to tie down others like Scheiderlin, Cork, Fonte and Lovren then the atmosphere will be very settled even if it kicks off again next summer. At least we don't have a world cup where players get to show case themselves in. Excluding Rickie as an exception, I think the sale of Shaw and Lallana was a necessary evil to finance the rebuilding and push on to the next level so whilst disappointed to see them leave, its happened to most clubs and always will.
Thats great but need to tie down Corky and Fonte now! Especially with Cardiff sniffing around....no time to waste
Even if Fonte was unhappy with no contract offer yet (and he seemed pretty cool in the training video interview) then he won't go down a division. He'd go to another Prem team or abroad. Fonte will stay and sign a new deal; they are probably umming and rring whether to make it 2 or 3 years. The club may say 2 and Jose may want 3
Well no, that's not quite true. They were sold because they wanted to leave and we received great offers for them.
whoop de do? We know a contract means nothing, and I'd rather contracts were being signed by players we know can do a job. No disrespect to Jay but we really don't know how he's going to return from his injury, not do we know how well he'll perform without Lambert and Lallana at his side.
Harsh but you are correct about the unknown of Jay's recovery but I am going to be optimistic, he has travelled with the squad so shows some signs of being ready before the end of August and this a positive move from a board who people keep saying they have been pushed about.
You sure about that? I'm not. I think both statements are true. Which is why Poch left claiming the club had new goals. No one knows for sure of course. I guess my interpretation helps me to handle the loss of key players and Poch, knowing that there is a better plan for taking us on to the next level and keeping us financially healthy.
Signing & staying, not strictly related it seems. I would be content with him signing a new long term, but its a sort of in house thing we need not hear about till its done, we have far more pressing matters to attend to. I bet Cork & Fonte are wondering if their offers have been lost in the post.
