Transfer Rumours Saints January Transfer Window Rumour Thread

Liverpool!! It often happens!!! Failing that the Crystal Palace and Southampton balls seem stuck together whatever the cup competition.

 

Still think it is weird Fonte hasn't played a EL game. It's like we don't want to play him to keep his price high.

 

See I would agree, but he's been on the bench so the club are obviously prepared to use him. If VVD or Yoshi went off injured in the EL, then Fonte would be on. Seems a bit of a risk if it's club policy not to play him to me.

 

Puel said he was pencilled in to start against Sparta, but had damaged a foot tackling Courtinho and failed the fitness test before the game.

 

I agree it's risk, just me thinking it is odd. But SaintDon says he was penciled in so we will see.

What is even more weird to me is some papers saying he is annoyed we haven't offered him a new contract. When it has been sitting on the table for so long it has a layer of dust.

 

He had a pay rise on the old contract if that means anything.

http://www.football365.com/news/man-united-target-fonte-agrees-saints-pay-rise

 

He hasn't signed it as far as I am told. They don't even have his wages right.

 

Guardian reporting that Fonte will be allowed to leave for a suitable sum. Apparently 5 million is that sum.

 

Don't really see why we would risk disruption mid-season for the sake of 5m. Fonte wanted to leave in summer but got on with the job after we kept him, he will do the same in January. We have a potential day at Wembley and (depending on thursday) and exciting run in Europe ahead of us. His other option is a season or 2 at United where he may not even start.
Seems very strange to me.

 

Money

 

Utd would be a bed of money.

 

This always saddens me. Will Fonte play regularly at United? Doubtful. I understand (not happy though) with someone going for Champions League if they are sure they will get in the starting 11 but this is Europa same as here and he won't play as much overall. Which brings me to the sad part it must be for money. He has got more money than most of us could ever dream of but it's not enough. He doesn't need a final pay day. Yes obviously United are a big club but it's a sad way to finish your career warming the bench instead of playing.

 

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/14946747.Frustrated_Fonte_denies_Saints_contract_talk/

Post this here as well, think it's bang out of order for him to say this in public.

 

Did he not learn for Rickie's sad demise? I know it's Manchester United but he will be used for FA cup teams and lower level premier league sides. Come on Jose there is still much to be achieved here and with Virgil you're already playing alongside the best defender. Don't kick up such a fuss. Treat us with some respect.

 

I think he feels we haven't treated him with respect tbh... and I kinda see where he's coming from.

 

I would actually feel sorry for him had he not acted like a wazzock in the summer. He let Claude down badly. Now it seems, its just a case of how uncomfortable the parting is.

 

The part about not playing Europa I understand, I think he should have been playing so far. @Beefy says he had a new contract offer, was that just the pay rise Jose is referring to? Or was it a brand new deal? Whether Jose should be saying things like this - probably not, but he's frustrated.

If he's bullshitting then I don't know what to think, hasn't he been outspoken in the media before? And he was a bit of a prick in the summer.

 

So we offered him more money but not an extension which he turned down. Saints said OK and left it there. He has a contract until 2018 so he will be 34. I can understand why Saints would want to see how fit he is before extending his contract. I would think if he was happy here he would understand that.

 

It'll be quite sad to see him go (last of the League One side I think) but he's not the youngest and not irreplaceable.

 

We already knew that he had turned down a pay rise...possibly because there was no extension involved. Even if he wasn't considering a move, I can see that would piss him off....especially when he found there was a better deal from Everton. I think Fonte has done enough to be treated with more respect than that. Under those circumstances, any agent worth his salt would say sit your present contract out. Puel was trying to keep out of it....as contracts aren't his area, but I can see why Jose would want to put the record straight.....especially as we all cast him in the role of bad guy in the summer. Very unfair after all he has done for us and without us being privy to all the facts.

As for not playing in the Europa games...very upsetting for Jose, but he admits himself it is the manager's decision. I really hope he plays on Thursday, but my guess is probably not. Puel may consider that his head isn't in it....although we all know Fonte would give his best as the true professional he is. However long he stays with us it is a sad conclusion to a great time at Southampton.