Surprised this didn't already have a separate thread as it seems quite a credible link now, which seems to be gathering pace in the last few days. Tancredi Palmeri, Gianluca Di Marzio and Alfredo Pedulla have all mentioned this on twitter recently. All 3 are 'fairly reliable' italian journos and say talks have reopened with Roma and a new offer has been made to Osvaldo. Also this from sky today: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8870436/?
1) Perhaps but there is enough to warrant a thread I think. Banega had one. 2) Sorry...... (someone change it please Mods)
To be fair, "jumping the gun" isn't a problem because these threads aren't about "let's get a thread up the day before he signs", more, "it's looking solid enough that a lot of new information will come out so the other rumours thread would become overrun by it".
Oh totally, I was just hoping it hasn't put a jinx on it. I've not been on much today, so not sure quite how much this has progressed. I saw something about an 18m euro bid this morning but that's about it.
I wish Spurs would just get lost. They are the ultimate transfer window leeches. How many bloody players do they need?
OSVALDO UPDATE: http://www.alfredopedulla.com/articoli/27138-esclusiva-osvaldo-offerta-scritta-del-southampton TRANSLATION "That's serious Southampton to Osvaldo know for days, I have told you step by step. Coming a written offer to Rome, for Pochettino is first on the list, the pressure is widening. The President of Southampton is on holiday in Italy, the agents of the attacker in Rome. The last word in Osvaldo: with a written offer, it's time for decisions."
I hate to be the one to do this, but... where does he fit in? I get that it's a squad game and he'd be a huge improvement to the squad and all that, but there's still got to be some form of consistency. While he can cope with a drifting role up front, he's certainly not going to be starting any games out wide, so you'd assume he'd only play up top. Does Pochettino drop Rickie back in behind him with a combination of Lallana, Rodriguez, Ramirez and Puncheon wide of Lambert behind Osvaldo? Do we shift to a formation with two strikers? Does Rickie find himself out of the majority of starting 11s? Does Osvaldo find himself immediately unable to get into the side? Questions questions.