I'm trying to think of previous big Championship deals, and apart from the recent Wickham deal that Joe has already mentioned, I'm struggling.
At the end of last season when all the players were up by the clock celebrating. BBC Solent asked Chamberlain if it was a good idea joining Southampton and he replied "It was actually my Dad that brought me up here, he got me a trial here so it was his decision." Sounded like he didn't want to come to Saints but his dad gave him the opportuinity so maybe Alex and Saints should be greatful to his dad that we got £12million and not Pompey!
I think we can afford to be big hearted and wish the lad well for the future. I'd have liked to see him give us one more season in a Saints shirt, but it's his loss more than ours really. After all, he's leaving a club on the up for one in decline by the looks of it. And we've still got Adam Lallana. It's not Oxo that makes Messi look s***e.
Interesting as well - the article on the official site isnt particularity complimentary about him. Seems to reiterate that our success last season was without him, and doesn't wish him well for the future... I think the "he made it clear that he saw his future elsewhere" comment also speaks volumes and suggests that he went about the whole thing the wrong way.