Tom28

VVD has genuinely had a virus this week. Of course though, we all know that's not the reason he's not playing. I think MP's response was intended to be 'no he's not available for the squad tomorrow because of the ongoing transfer situation but regardless of that he's had a virus so he hasn't trained this week anyway'.

It'll be JC. He's the third one of the three I mentioned earlier today.

Lemina deal really close. Should be closed out today. Loan offer made for goalkeeper. In discussions with three CB's to replace VVD. Only one will be signed. Another loan offer with option to buy made for an attacking player. Will be 4 signings before end of window apparently. Three expected to go out. VVD, Gazzaniga (although might change if we don't secure a loan) and one other.

100% this.

Statement went out earlier than expected. Nothing further to add really. TR handed in this morning; his statement went out 8 hours later which basically gave the club no time to publicise this on their terms. He neatly leaves out that although he agreed to train, he refused to play in matches.

Going to be some developments tomorrow. Stay tuned. I'll post again tomorrow night.

Sorry, meant to quote patred44's post.

This is 100% not true. I will stake all and any credibility I have on this forum on that. The club had no idea about what he was up to.

This guy looks a proper baller. Pace. Power. Strong in the tackle. Strong on the ball. Keeps it simple with his passing. Perfect DM to play alongside Romeu. Fraser Cedric Stephens Hoedt Bertrand Romeu Lemina Redmond JWP Tadic Gabbiadini Instantly that looks very strong. With Boufal, Austin, Davis, Long to provide impact off the bench. Promising. Only shame is that it doesn't look like VVD will line up alongside Stephens.

Well that was terrible. Highlighted weakness which, for me, is a lack of physical presence down the spine of the team. Without VVD, which we have to plan for, we need a big imposing centre back and a big imposing DM. Sell VVD (and one of Clasie or Hojbjerg), bring in Hoedt and break the bank and bring in Danilo Pereira. Imagine this line up: Forster Cedric Stephens Hoedt Bertrand Romeu Pereira Redmond JwP Tadic Gabbiadini

SFC TID!'s last post is accurate regarding events yesterday. Only additional information I have is that there are no bids yet. However, club looking to sell now. He's become a problem in what is otherwise a very happy squad. Other players that were unhappy and looking for an exit last season - Tadic, Cedric and Bertrand - are all now seemingly bought into MP 100%. VVD is casting a lonely figure after thinking that there were lots that wanted to leave this summer. Difficult to see a way back from here although club will hold out for asking price. MP and VVD relationship is pretty good so there potentially could be a way back if asking price not met before the end of the window. Club will likely buy a replacement now anyway though.

Change of plan. Not training with team. Club decision. That's my 3 posts done for 24 hours....

Could still go. But will start training with the team again. The Hoedt rumour is true apparently; he's a target. Don't know if it's contingent on VVD leaving or not though. Personal guess would be that he would only be a target if VVD goes. I can't see the club stockpiling 6 CB's.

It's tomorrow. And it will happen. Won't play Wednesday though.

There's still over a month of the window left so things could change, but it's absolutely not a done deal and there's been no material change in the situation this week.

Update: Monk is misinformed.

I haven't had an update since Monday or Tuesday but the news then was that the player was open to staying provided Saints made good on their promises to keep the best players at th club and add quality to the squad in order to push on. His transfer was in the balance and still being explored but there was definitely an option to keep him and reintegrate him. I had heard that four clubs were back in - City, Chelsea (even though previously they said they wouldn't be), Liverpool and Arsenal, and that Liverpool were by no means the only option he was open to. Haven't heard any more since then though.

It's a bit of both. He's refusing to play but is happy to train. MoPe took the decision then to leave him out of squad training. He's on strike though with regards to playing matches.

Here's an idea. When you see one of my posts, don't read it. Simple!

VVD has met personally with LR twice in the last two days (disclaimer: one of those could have been a phone call). Fairly amicable meetings by all accounts given the circumstances and the fact that they basically hate each other. LR apparently is open to the idea of selling VVD providing a) the offer meets our valuation (sorry, I don't know what that is) and b) the deal is done with at least three weeks of the transfer window remaining to give us enough time to get a top quality replacement. In light of VVd's stance, we have stepped up our monitoring of the CB targets on our list and starting informal discussions with clubs. LR and VVD discussed Liverpool; both parties recognise that selling him to Liverpool would be a hugely unpopular move with our fanbase, even though Saints believe they will get the most money from Liverpool. Apparently, VVD has softened a little and would consider moving to another top club besides Liverpool. He's totally hell bent on leaving though. Interesting development - apparently Chelsea have indicated to VVD's agent that they no longer have an interest. He was definitely talking to them a few months back but he picked Liverpool over them so perhaps understandable that they've moved on but when you consider they've lost Terry, Zouma and Ake, they are short at the position. As things stand, there are no bids for him at all but the feeling is that won't be the case for long now the news is out. Sorry, nothing groundbreaking or solid today but seems the club are open to the idea of selling him privately, if not yet publicly.

I know today was just a pre season friendly but thought Stephens looked superb today in every single aspect of his game. He just seemed to pick up and improve upon where he left off last season. He seems to read the game quicker than everyone around him. Assuming we get a top quality starter to replace VVD (or keep VVD which is highly unlikely given what I've heard today), Stephens has to be the other first choice in my opinion. Wouldn't surprise me if he got an England call up this season and starts to get a lot of media hype.

He's holding out for the loyalty bonus. As things stand, he's no intention of submitting a transfer request. Thinks the move will happen anyway. He's a cvnt.

Granted, those posts don't exactly prove my credibility but they were the truth at the time of posting. Things changed. Liverpool weren't in the mix and then they were and as soon as VVD met Klopp, things changed.

He trained on his own today. He was told to this morning. I told you mugs he was on strike last weekend before the game. Those of you that said "we'll see next Saturday at Brentford"....yes we will. It's quite an interesting social experiment this. I know the truth and I'm telling you the truth but some people on here are so adamant that I'm on a wind up. I'm not.

Update: VVD remains on strike - he won't play any matches for us. He is now training on his own. He has told the club he wants to join Liverpool.