Southampton is on sale
The next departures from Morgan Schneiderlin and Jay Rodriguez will allow Katharina Liebherr, the owner of the Saints, to garner a sum exceeding blithely 150 million euros. Not surprising given his disinterest Southampton and discussions by his entourage, Ralph Kreuger in mind, to find a wealthy buyer.
In 2011, World Economic Forum, a non-profit foundation together many influential people in various domains (. Industry, finance, intellectual, etc.), formalized the arrival of a new member: Ralph Krueger. German former international hockey, it is presented on the official website as a "leader." It is in this area that has been introduced.
Author of a successful career, even in publishing his book "Teamlife - Beyond Setbacks to Success" which was a bestseller, he joined Southampton in early March as president, replacing Nicola Cortese, the confidant of the deceased owner, Markus Liebherr, and central figure in the rise of League One (D3) in Premier League. Considered omnipotent - not the local press who say otherwise - and very ambitious, he had major differences with Katharina, daughter of Markus and current owner.
Party in January, Italian banker was reputed to be tough in business. Proof is with the study published by the BBC on money given to agents between October 2012 and September 2013: around £ 2.2 million were paid by Southampton, which ranks the Saints to 17th place, far behind the £ 13.7 Chelsea million (first) or £ 7.2 million Newcastle (fifth). Cortese leader with an iron hand and wanted to continue the progress of the club retaining Mauricio Pochettino and a large part of its executives. Not the goal of Katharina.
Although vaguely and vainly tried to buy the club shortly after the start in Express, the boss did not want to cede the club, preferring to appoint the former general manager of Liverpool Christian Purslow, probing discreetly market on resale. Purslow is a renowned businessman, co-founder of MidOcean Partners, a U.S. company specializing in ... redemptions, sales and capital increase. The company weighs more than $ 3 billion and investments everywhere. It was not surprising that Purslow treated "idiot there knowing nothing" by Gary Neville, has managed to get a contract of £ 80 million over four years with Standard Chartered Bank to sponsor the jerseys of Reds ...
However, research Purslow were not especially successful by then. "In the middle, everyone knows that Southampton is for sale. The strategy is simple: to have a strong cash because there was a lot of debt and borrowings, strengthen the team cheaply compared to sales to keep some competitiveness and attract buyers, "said a person involved in redemptions of English clubs.
"Mandaric had done the same with Sheffield Wednesday. It is not officially for sale, but unofficially, yes. Aston Villa has done the opposite and see, nobody is interested. In business, we must be discreet and not show that you are weak. If you say publicly that you want to sell or it does not go too much or you'll have scammers, or guys who will try to bring down prices, as Reading. Southampton has understood that. And recently there has been information taken from some foreign investors. Sales have put a flea in his ear.
"Kreuger quite understand how people who have lots of money and ego function. They like to sweep everything again, just to be in control and be glorified in case of success. There is perfect "
It is a strategy enrichment, of course, but also to lure the buyer egocentric. A friend has already negotiated with Krueger. This guy is a shark! It does not yield an inch of ground. It has incredible nerves. He understood very well how people who have lots of money and ego function. They like to sweep everything again, just to be in control and be glorified in case of success. There, it's perfect. "
Tottenham made ​​a bid for Schneiderlin for some time
In fact, Southampton continues its strategy with its (former) executives. It says nothing and negotiate hard, especially with Tottenham. Following the departure of Pochettino at White Hart Lane, it was agreed especially not sell a player there, left to sit on a few million. However, the Spurs were only formally request information on Jay Rodriguez, joker placardisé with Nigel Adkins became owner and international with Argentina. As the majority of the workforce last year, including Morgan Schneiderlin, J-Rod dedicates enormous respect for Pochettino, both for his human qualities.
The French had also never hidden the esteem for the old Parisien (see our interview). "It is the art of detail, really. I remember that we showed at the beginning a meter, or even a meter, could prevent two solutions pass through. Nothing that amount for a tilting or our position so the opponent, we put him in trouble, "he told me also about it. Tottenham has already made ​​an offer for several days, as we said in our podcast last Thursday (from 1:22, you have all the details).
About Arsenal, there is also an interest. I must say that the Alsatian was already tracked by the Gunners on his arrival in England in 2008! Olivier Giroud and his comrades have also lobbied with a smile, to induce him to join them this season. We do not know if there was an offer Londoners in Southampton, but there has been discussions between his agent and Arsenal. For the rest, we are not in the secret of the gods.
van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk is courted by several Premier League clubs. Brilliant since his arrival at Celtic last year, it is the defensive leader Bhoys, more qu'Efe Ambrose
Forster and van Dijk Celtic are privileged
Arrivals side, Ronald Koeman is a great admirer of Virgil van Dijk (23), central defender Celtic. An offer has already been transmitted, as Fraser Forster (26), the guardian of Bhoys. Except this, up to £ 3.5 million, has been described (correctly) as "derisory" by the Hoops. The latter having recruited Craig Gordon, can reasonably be expected to have anticipated a possible departure of Forster.
On van Dijk, incredibly snubbed by Louis van Gaal for the World saw its qualities (anticipation, technique, timing air, do not throw up, quiet, power), Celtic will do everything to keep it. If the Scots qualify for the group stage of the Champions League, the argument is interesting. Otherwise, or if the Saints offer £ 10 million, it will be in St Mary's because we must not forget that the Bhoys have an equivalent to English clubs D2 budget ....
For the rest, the cell recruitment oversees Emilio Izaguirre for months (28 years), rear left ... Celtic also. Not intended to supply, priority being Jetro Willems (20 years, back left PSV). Also note that the young Matt Targett (18, left rear) will be integrated into the rotation. U19 International English, having played for Scotland, he was already interested all the big teams in the country.
To be complete, the trail Papy Djilobodji (26, central defender Nantes) is not extinguished because the leaders met one of his representatives recently. But it is not a priority.
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