Long post warning I was having a browse on transfermarkt of players whose contracts are up at the end of the season and there are some interesting names on there. I would be interested in where people thought some of these players will end up and if any would be players we might want at Saints. In general I would have thought they would not be targets for us as the bonus wages players get from signing on a bosman could well put them out of our structure. However it is interesting that some of the available freebies may fill slots in opposition sides that could be taken by our players (as clubs decide not to risk giving us loads of money again) From the list: Khedira - most high profile on the list. Will end up at Chelsea, United, Bayern or maybe Arsenal. Could happen in Jan Konoplyanka - exciting, pacey wide player who I believe can play on either flank. Would seem to be a perfect signing on paper but perhaps Mane was signed instead and we wouldn't want both? Was rumoured to have a 12m asking price and linked with West Ham around the time we got Long and people were wondering why we weren't going for him. I assume there must have been a reason we didn't go for him. Either higher wages or worries about ability to settle? Whatever the reasons I imagine they probably haven't changed regardless of the lack of transfer fee. Not sure where he will go but don't see how he will fit in West Ham's new system so assume that link may be dead in the water... Milner - Another high profile player on the list. Excellent versatility and would be great for us but wages to high. I expect him to sign an extension at City Huntelaar - often linked to the premier league but never moved here. Struggled outside of Germany and Netherlands. Lacks pace. Target man striker that is popular at the moment. On very high wages at Schalke. Linked with Liverpool - I am not sure why as they are struggling with Balotelli as target striker and forced Carroll out. Out of our wage league Glen johnson - Liverpool want him out due to his crazy wages. Nailed on for QPR if they stay up De Jong - could go anywhere. Several teams have gaps in defensive central midfield. Man United seem to have set their sights higher. Could be useful if we lose one of our midfielders Gignac - Striker in really good form in France. His side are near the top. I would expect him to re-sign with his current club Samba - found this one amusing. I am pretty sure he is done with regards to the premier league Schar - promising young Swiss defender. Linked with Liverpool. Could be useful if we lose Toby (and potentially we will lose Yoshida to contract expiry as well) Flanagan - I would assume Liverpool want to keep him. But they keep being linked in the press with right backs in the press (Clyne, Abate) despite having 3 (including Manquillo on a 2 season loan) luiz adriano - scored 5 in the Champions League this week. I can't imagine he will want to stay in the Ukraine unless the situation improves over the next 6-9 months Vlaar - constantly linked with Man United. Unless they get him in January I think that ship will have sailed for him (and Villa are rumoured to want 12m in January which is insane). Again could be a useful signing if we can't tie up Toby Reid - again could be a useful option for us. Linked with Liverpool and QPR. I will assume West Ham will try to keep him and might be able to sway him due to their improved form Delph - will be looking to negotiate a big new contract putting himself out of our reach (if a need for a midfielder arises). However a move to a club like Liverpool might stop them trying to sign one of our midfielders. Mulumbu / Yacob - couple of seasons ago both were really highly rated as an anchor midfield (remember article comparing them to Morgan and Cork for most effective 2 in a 4-2-3-1). They don't seem to have kicked on Wickham - Only ever played well for one brief spell in his career. Sunderland should have cashed in during the Summer. Another one who I expect will be after a large wage rise as part of a free transfer. Could be a useful back up striker (and I think we have been linked in the past). I imagine we will stay clear. Adebayor - I can't see Spurs extending his contract given his form. But knowing him he will play well for the next 10 games to secure the deal and then slack again. If they don't sign him on I can't see anyone paying his demands Terry and Gerard - will almost certainly sign extensions Arteta and Flamini - I didn't realise these guys contracts were expiry. Could be bad news as if they don't get extensions Arsenal will probably be forced to go for at least one new central midfielder. Hopefully for us they will do their usual thing of go cheap (or one of the free ones above) Bit of a lengthy rambling discussion. I think basically there aren't many we would or even should be in for any from the above list apart from perhaps some of the defenders if we cannot tie down Toby.
Forgot about ings. Wasn't on the website. The list on went down to people the website valued at 3m. Admittedly all the values on that site are pinch of salt I'm not sure we will go for him unless he shows some ability in this league. Although he will be restricted by the limitations of his teammates
Bit of trivia: I think Ings and Jutkiewicz played in the Saints Academy at the same time, and then Ings joined up with Southampton born Vokes at Bournemouth, where they played together. Eventually the trio joined together at Burnley. Nice story if it's absolutely true, but I'm blowed if I can be bothered to tie up all the dates and locations. Think I'm right. All three are Saints fans.
Couple of interesting ones on that list and the transfermarkt site. Its kind of poimtless to speculate who the club is looking at but there are some decent players on there who would probably be keen for a shot at the EPL. Popov for one looks interesting. Plays in the Russian league and Europa last year. AM who Last year got 9 goals and 15 assists in 38 games (3 goals and 2 assists from 10 so far this season.) Rated at about 8 mil. http://www.transfermarkt.com/ivelin-popov/leistungsdaten/spieler/38340/saison/2014 Also as you mentioned Adriano might be looking to get out of Ukraine as fast as possible and would be worth a sneaky bid (Would that make us Profiteers?)
Hear there's a really good midfielder coming out of contract at one of the top clubs...perhaps we could sign him. Think he's called Corkie or Yorkie...something like that.
