AR-10

The club RARELY leak info these days. Absolutely NO WAY would the club leak that sort of info by text message even if that was true, which by the way I don't believe, that just wouldn't in a million years ever happen. As far as the Captaincy, the club want another player as captain (it should be obvious who that is without me naming him) and that isn't going down well with Fonte although Fonte does have a good relationship with the player, it wasn't like the player was "muscling" in on Fonte's parade, because they both get on extremely well. It's just the club have other ideas and this goes back to last year when Ronald Koeman was in charge, hence Koemans many public media comments about the possibility Fonte would not be extended due to his "age"..which was a smokescreen excuse. I don't believe it is anything to do with Fonte's mental state like what is being claimed by Mr Schitt and even if it were true that would not be leaked by the club, the only reason I can think of that the club would want that out in existence, would be to stifle any Manchester United interest. But even then, that is a very extreme way to do it and potentially damaging for Jose Fonte himself and given the level of respect both Fonte and the club hold for each other I cannot see that being the case.

That post above from Jack Schitt is complete and utter categorical bull ****. Where in the hell does he get this stuff from. That is potentially libelous at a bare minimum and that fella will land himself in hot water.

I've gone back over what I've said on here so far and nowhere have I ever said that. I said I was expecting 2 more signings, 1 of which has involved a lot of back and forth between player and club and is not quite over the line yet. I personally didn't put any timescale on either.

As far as I am aware , I can say there WAS interest from Manchester United, but nothing whatsoever from Everton, which I did say last week. If there were Manchester United "staff" (in any capacity) at the game with Watford yesterday, I'd be inclined to say that was more to do with Fridays game more than anything specifically Jose Fonte related. But, based on what I know about the situation, which is limited, as nobody is really saying anything... I wouldn't say it was entirely impossible. That being said, the entire thing could just be a game from Mourinho. From what I understand the situation with Fonte is described as "difficult", but I'm led to believe that is nothing to do with any transfer speculation as such but more to do with first team squad setup, without getting into any details. I can't say any more than that. The club want Jose to stay and so do the fans and from a personal viewpoint I think Jose does aswell.

Tadic was the only player I could confirm. Cedric is likely. Fonte I understand is a little more difficult.

The part I've highlighted. Yes.

No chance after Alderweireld. That can be directly attributed to this guy.

Just flicking through the last few pages or so and one or 2 posts certainly jump out. The situation with this guy is best described as pretty precarious (at best), the circus around this guy from what I know and have seen is pretty unbelievable all things considered, you'd think we were signing Lionel Messi the amount of ping pong back and forth as far as what I'm aware of and what it's taken to get it to this point, around 18 months. And we are NOT the only Premier League club in for him. (and we are in for more than one player, I'm expecting 2) In short, anybody who comes out and out right names a player fall in to one of 3 brackets: 1. They've been authorised to release it, definitely after the player has signed, players can sign days before it's released, especially at SFC. 2. A lucky guess. 3. Are not close enough to the club where the risk of "blow back" is anything above zero, so what they say probably means it's category 2 (a lucky guess, friend of a friend of a friend) or some Journo got lucky. It's risky, the club is a stone wall now, that might sound ridiculous but it is in no way an exaggeration. I haven't said enough to drop myself and the club right in it but others have said a lot more than I would have, and most of what has been said by them certainly "tallies" with everything I have seen, know and understand.

I can't quantify it because I don't know anywhere close to the full extent, I wish I did. If the club don't want something out there, it doesn't get out there. But there is a lot going on for sure.

It really isn't a case of "nothing and more nothing". The club operate on almost Military levels of secrecy to avoid bidding wars being one factor and that's not by any means an exaggeration and what I know of it wouldn't be anywhere close to the full extent of the lengths the club go to be relatively under the radar.. So whilst you might be envious of Everton, you're probably about to see them sign Ashley Williams whom is 31 for probably the best part of £15M, because I do not for one second believe that now it seems he's "available" Everton are going to be the only ones targeting him, at least not now they've opened their mouths.. There is a signing on the way for us here (SFC) but it's not quite over the line yet.

As far as I know there WAS interest from Manchester United. How far that actually went I have no idea beyond knowing that NO formal bid was received and that includes from any other club that's ever been mentioned. Nothing whatsoever from Everton and the £9M allegedly from Everton was mentioned in the press and where that came from is beyond me. As far as any new contract that's apparently been signed by Jose (Fonte), I'm not completely sure where that came from either, but that doesn't change anything I've previously said and there is still nothing to suggest that he's leaving from what I've seen or understand. BUT...There will be more positive news this week re other things. Asside from this I know just as much as everybody else about it.

....in an ideal world.

Jose's agent only got back Tuesday. I still maintain that nothing I have seen or heard or understand about the situation suggests to me that Jose will be anything but a Southampton player at the start of the season. I would expect an announcement very soon, but I can tell you there is a lot happening, not least a brand new season is about to get underway.

Pied was brought in to replace players expected to leave on loan who Puel feels will be more beneficial to get regular first team football, and come back to us. Which seems to tie in with Pied only penning a 2 year deal. One of the objectives of the pre-season tour was (as expected) to establish who that would be. He was not brought in out of 'doubt' about any first team players, bu more as a very good addition to the first team squad, the club monitors between 100-200 players (on average 150) every season. In the last 3 years the club has analysed around 500 players as possible signings and Pied has been on that list for quite some time,although bumped considerably higher up it, in the build up to bringing in Claude Puel as manager. Believe me the club has what we need in hand and I would expect 2 more signings, 1 of which is pending a response from the player. Regarding media speculation around certain players leaving the club, there are not any that the club are even remotely interested in selling and nothing I have seen suggests otherwise.

There will be more. Possibly 2 more.

This has all come out of nowhere, on a Sunday as well, I don't believe it to be true.

Tadic is definitely being renewed. Be a few announcements both in and out.

A number of players were shown around the training ground and facilities last week. This is the first time I've heard anything close to that version of events.