.... I have concluded that this is one way the media know of sending Arsenal fans into orgasmic overdrive thinking that at last they may get someone half as good as Gareth Bale. They know they cannot poduce their own talent so they pillage other clubs and Southampton in particular for their talent having themselves become almost as great a counterproductive and negative a force in English football as Liverpool. I should think the English FA get down on their knees every night and say a massive prayer of gratitude to Southampton for their superb Academy as no other club seems to be trying very hard to produce good, solid and talented young English footballers. You somehow can't help but feel sorry for Arsenal for without Wenger tapping into French players and signing Saints' kids their club would be dead and buried a long time ago.
Isn't the rumour of Southampton seeking to sign one of Arsenal's players? One day someone will write the textbook of academies. It will be called "Staplewood".
Don't understand why Saints fans moan about Arsenal 'Stealing' all of our academy players. They have signed 2 youngsters from us, neither with any Premiership experience for a fee in excess of 20 Million pound, it's barely stealing.
More of a concern is the fact that Wenger has a poor record of developing young English talent. Pennant was supposed to be a shining example of England's future but he failed at Arsenal and I think that Walcott hasn't particularly reached the levels anticipated by Saints fans. It will be interesting to see how Oxlade-Chamberaind develops but I would suggest that Wenger will continue to have greater success with foreign players. Wenger has radicalised the way foorball clubs have been managed in the 21st Century but I think his overall impact has been to the detriment to the national side as English talent has not been properly nurtured. I've no doubt that Saints will struggle to retain Luke Shaw as he looks as exceptional prospect. For the sake of the English game it would be better if he went to someone like Man Utd where he will be more likely to achieve his potential. However, I would like to see Shaw feature for us for a number of seasons. It will be fascinating to see if we can keep him especially if Arsenal have the money to spend after Van Persie leaves.
Reality is that any player is for sale for the right money. Even the Don will not turn down a silly offer for Shaw. Loads of examples of players not developing as expected, picking up injuries or just doing a Gazza. Hopefully we will retain our best youngsters but if Arsenal want to pay £20m for an untried 17 year old I personally would snatch their hand off.
A bit over the top to blame Wenger for our top youngsters not being nurtured properly, Ian Thumwood. For that you have to blame the poor coaching and lack of top quality English coaches at grass roots.
I think Chelsea have a more negative affect on the english game, just a bit less high profile. Every year they hoover up young kids between 12 and 16, and so far the only player to really come through their academy since John Terry is Ryan Bertrand (and even he hasn't really established himself yet).
I also think that regardless of Shaw's age, if somebody offers £20 million you accept it. When was the last time somebody paid that much for a left back? If an offer comes in for him it's more likely to be in the region of £5 million, and I would take an offer of £10 million (which is more than we got for Bale iirc).
Shaw needs to stay, we have a important blue print to stick to, theres no reason for any of the young prospects to leave. NC feels the same, I'm confident. We're building here, & you can't build much if you keep removing the blocks.
True, but if a french idiot comes along and offers you £50 for a brick, you'd be mad to turn him down.
But, does anyone think Wenger is going to offer silly money? He won't, he'll haggle, he'll try & unsettle the lad, then maybe offer real money. The Oxo money was good, but still seems cheap when you consider how good the lad is, & others like Jordan Henderson have gone for more. So I wouldn't count on any silly offers if I were you.
No, I think an offer would be £5 million. For that i'd turn it down and take my chances. £10 million would be harder to ignore though...
If it's not a silly offer he will go nowhere! Cortese would tell Wenger to go forth and multiply. Shaw is under contract but at the end of the day every-one has their price!
A hefty price tag on a player can act like a millstone round their neck in the new club. Something any youngster's advisers should bear in mind before snatching a predator's arm off.
Shaw will be going nowhere this window. It's all media talk and while there may be some offers, we're not going to accept any of them. His value will explode if/when he breaks through and we'd be foolish to accept a fraction of that now. We're in the same position with young James Ward-Prowse who has his fair share of admirers.
