January 2021 transfer window

[Matthew Le God]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/leicester-southampton-benfica-january-transfer-4850132

Quote

Benfica fear Southampton could gazump them in the chase to sign Leicester City's Demarai Gray as the battle to sign the winger continues to escalate.

According to Record, Benfica are keen on landing the former Birmingham City player who is set to leave the King Power Stadium after falling down the pecking order under boss Brendan Rodgers.

But the Portuguese paper says they now fear being priced out of a move for the winger claiming that Southampton have already made contact with the player's representatives.

 

Edited 2 January, 2021 by Matthew Le God

[Turkish]

38 minutes ago, saint lard said:

I think there might be some truth in us being in for Damarai Gray

Would be a decent signing, out of contract in the summer so won’t cost much. I’m sure we were after him when he went to Leicester

[Give it to Ron]

Saints Extra linking us with Choudhury from Leicester again - can’t see that as we have Diallo looking decent cover.

Due to finances any recruitment must be full back cover and as Salisu seems to be a problem an experienced central defender if Vest has issues need an op

Edited 2 January, 2021 by Give it to Ron

[Master Bates]

1 hour ago, saint lard said:

I think there might be some truth in us being in for Damarai Gray

Made contact with his entourage.

Noah Liebherr posted a pic of Pelle on Instagram, but think he's off to Juventus.

[Matthew Le God]

46 minutes ago, Give it to Ron said:

Due to finances any recruitment must be full back cover and as Salisu seems to be a problem an experienced central defender if Vest has issues need an op

We don't need a centre back. Salisu is a 21 year old adapting to  new country. He has been on the bench for the last three games. Stephens used as he already has understanding with Bednarek and Salisu will likely play next Saturday. 

[S-Clarke]

8 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

We don't need a centre back. Salisu is a 21 year old adapting to  new country. He has been on the bench for the last three games. Stephens used as he already has understanding with Bednarek and Salisu will likely play next Saturday. 

You make it sound like he's a young academy kid we plucked from Spain.

He wasn't. He was a regular starter in La Liga up against Messi etc, yet somehow he has 'not been ready' to play for us for around half a year. 

Something else has clearly gone on with regards to him. Clubs like ourselves, in the current climate, don't pay £10m+ and 'ease' the player into the team over the course of an entire year, maybe over the course of weeks at a the most. He was bought as a first team player from day dot, but something happened somewhere along the lines.

Edited 2 January, 2021 by S-Clarke

[Matthew Le God]

1 minute ago, S-Clarke said:

 You make it sound like he's a young academy kid we plucked from Spain.

He wasn't. He was a regular starter in La Liga up against Messi etc, yet somehow he has 'not been ready' to play for us for around half a year. 

Something else has clearly gone on with regards to him. Clubs like ourselves, in the current climate, don't pay £10m+ and 'ease' the player into the team over the course of an entire year. He was bought as a first team player from day dot, but something happened somewhere along the lines.

Walker-Peters was eased into becoming a regular in Hasenhuttl's system.

My post was responding to the suggestion another centre back should be signed. How does that help Salisu get games? He is already fit enough to be on the bench and will probably play on Saturday. 

[SaintsFan86]

I think atm, We have 3 capable and decent CBs playing for us... Obviously Ralph doesn't want to rush the lad in. We are doing fine at CB, so why the urgency to see Salisu play?! Baffles me. No way does Salisu get in ahead of Bedders and Vesteegaaard... and Stephens doesn't deserve to be dropped to 4th choice, he is also a very good passer of the ball.. a like for like with Vester, albeit somewhat limited passing range.

[S-Clarke]

3 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Walker-Peters was eased into becoming a regular in Hasenhuttl's system.

My post was responding to the suggestion another centre back should be signed. How does that help Salisu get games? He is already fit enough to be on the bench and will probably play on Saturday. 

WP was eased in over a few weeks....that's what I'm getting at, if they've been brought in as a new player the intention is that they get involved ASAP. This  'easing Salisu' in over an entire season is just waffle and cover up for something else at play - not to speculate about on here though.

Lockdown helped WP for sure, but he started before the lockdown began.

Not disagreeing with your general point though, we certainly don't need a new CB. If anywhere...attacking winger/striker and a full back.

[MarkSFC]

23 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

We don't need a centre back. Salisu is a 21 year old adapting to  new country. He has been on the bench for the last three games. Stephens used as he already has understanding with Bednarek and Salisu will likely play next Saturday. 

Last 5 games in fact.

[TWar]

Salisu is being kept out the team as our CB's are performing at an elite level. We have 4th best goals conceded in the league and 2nd most clean sheets in the league. Salisu clearly came in injured but has been fit for a good while now and will get a run out in the cup. It is not a failure by any means that he hasn't played yet, it is more a success at how well Vestergaard has kicked on this season. The same, I would say, is true of Romeu keeping out Diallo.

[tpv01]

Jan Bednarek signed as a 21 year old for 5 MM (10 MM in today’s money) on 1st July 2017.....

.....didn’t play a minute of premier league until April 2018.

And look at him now. Solidly our number 1 centre back since Van Dijk left.

no rush with young centre backs not used to the league. Make a few mistakes by not being up to the speed and never see them again. 

[Roo1976]

4 hours ago, Matthew Le God said:

Walker-Peters was eased into becoming a regular in Hasenhuttl's system.

My post was responding to the suggestion another centre back should be signed. How does that help Salisu get games? He is already fit enough to be on the bench and will probably play on Saturday. 

No he wasnt ...replaced Valery because he makes too many unforced errors,and besides that hes way better.

[Convict Colony]

Everytime i see bedneraks name i think of Werners no look nutmeg at chelsea.

[saint77]

7 hours ago, Roo1976 said:

No he wasnt ...replaced Valery because he makes too many unforced errors,and besides that hes way better.

He was eased in think he played 1 game then never played for 6 or 7 games 

[WALK DMC]

13 hours ago, Turkish said:

Would be a decent signing, out of contract in the summer so won’t cost much. I’m sure we were after him when he went to Leicester

I agree. Demarai Gray is the right age and with Premiership experience.  His goals/assists ratio is similar (slightly worse) to Redmond's and Leicester fans don't seem too disappointed that he is leaving, with lots of comments about his lack of delivery and poor decision making. However, there is also a feeling that he has never realised his full potential even though he possesses the right attributes (pace/physically strong), so maybe this is something that Ralph could develop. 

If we can get him on a free (preferably with a short term loan from Jan), then other than a very large signing on fee it would be a reasonably low risk purchase. As somebody else pointed out, if this is true it could mean that one of Redmond, Djenepo or even Walcott won't be with us next year. 

Edited 3 January, 2021 by WALK DMC

[Chez]

Anyone seen much of Michael Olise (Reading)? His youtube video suggests he's a talent, an excellent dribbler, with some silky skills, but very very one footed. Doubt Reading will sell anyone at this point, and not sure he fits our style, but I'm interested in other opinions.

 

[Give it to Ron]

You lot make him sound like he has never played before. He is 21 and played in a decent league.

We chose Stephens who did well although twice lost his man at Fulham and a brain fart against West Ham. I just think we need better quality than him if we want to push on. I did also say if Vest needs surgery you missed that bit out.

Does it not strike you as odd that Salisu hasn’t had a run out for B team yet not played competitive for over 6 months yet expected to start next week ?

Fingers crossed he kicks on now and proves he is as good as we all hoped.

Full back is main priority still.

[Turkish]

1 minute ago, Chez said:

Anyone seen much of Michael Olise (Reading)? His youtube video suggests he's a talent, an excellent dribbler, with some silky skills, but very very one footed. Doubt Reading will sell anyone at this point, and not sure he fits our style, but I'm interested in other opinions.

 

Steve De Ridders YouTube video made his look a talent, an excellent dribbler with some silky skills. 

[Suhari]

12 hours ago, Master Bates said:

Made contact with his entourage.

Noah Liebherr posted a pic of Pelle on Instagram, but think he's off to Juventus.

Pele would give us an immediate Plan B from the bench; there are a few games this season where a big fella in the box in the last 10 minutes would've helped.

[Chez]

9 minutes ago, WALK DMC said:

I agree. He is the right age and with Premiership experience.  His goals/assists ratio is similar (slightly worse) to Redmond's and Leicester fans don't seem too disappointed that he is leaving, with lots of comments about his lack of delivery and poor decision making. However, there is also a feeling that he has never realised his full potential even though he possesses the right attributes (pace/physically strong), so maybe this is something that Ralph could develop. 

If we can get him on a free (preferably with a short term loan from Jan), then other than a very large signing on fee it would be a reasonably low risk purchase. As somebody else pointed out, if this is true it could mean that one of Redmond, Djenepo or even Walcott won't be with us next year. 

I have this nagging feeling that he perhaps had his best games for Leicester against us. And those games actually showed up why Leicester fas are not sold on him, because he took us apart but missed chances and made poor decisions.

Hard to shift Djenepo, Walcott has been very good (so you'd imagine we'd want to sign him if the wage demands are OK) and Redmond has struggled this season, but at his best would be picked ahead of Djenepo.

[Turkish]

12 hours ago, Master Bates said:

Made contact with his entourage.

Noah Liebherr posted a pic of Pelle on Instagram, but think he's off to Juventus.

I noticed no one has mentioned the other picture with Gardos in it. Maybe he’s coming back too? Or maybe they just met up for drink somewhere like old friends/colleagues do sometimes. 

[Chez]

2 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Steve De Ridders YouTube video made his look a talent, an excellent dribbler with some silky skills. 

which is why I asked for opinions. Have you seen him play? Is he talented.

You can actually pick up stuff from youtube videos. They are obviously made to make the player look good, so if you watch them with a hyper critical hat on and then spot things that don't impress you, then you know their may be a problem. As I mentioned, he's very one footed in the video. I saw him use his right peg once. There isn't a lot of shooting either. I wonder about his strength. 

[positivepete]

19 minutes ago, Suhari said:

Pele would give us an immediate Plan B from the bench; there are a few games this season where a big fella in the box in the last 10 minutes would've helped.

Under the new rules it is unlikely that any EPL club will sign players from the Chinese League.  As Pelle has not played for Italy for a while, he is unlikely to get the required number of points. there is an appeal system, so maybe an appeal based on his previous appearances for us might hold, but in any case, I am not sure he would fit in these days.

https://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/policies/player-registration/points-based-system
 

[Chez]

On 01/01/2021 at 15:41, Convict Colony said:

Interestingly i also stumbled upon Owen Wijndal this morning when i was checking out LB options on the continent, seems like a player but probably too much for us to spend unless its loan with buy in summer.

Would try and target french clubs though with their tv deal collapsing, maybe Romain Perraud from Brest, cheaper and can use Diallo to sell it to him.

Yeah, he looks a decent player, but if he has played for the Dutch national team he may be beyond us. 

[Turkish]

42 minutes ago, Chez said:

which is why I asked for opinions. Have you seen him play? Is he talented.

You can actually pick up stuff from youtube videos. They are obviously made to make the player look good, so if you watch them with a hyper critical hat on and then spot things that don't impress you, then you know their may be a problem. As I mentioned, he's very one footed in the video. I saw him use his right peg once. There isn't a lot of shooting either. I wonder about his strength. 

I’ve not seen much of him but my reading and Chelsea contacts say that he’s all tricks and pace, any decent defender works him out. 

[Turkish]

Offered Choudary, apparently.

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/18982959.saints-offered-chance-sign-choudhury-loan/?ref=fbshr&fbclid=IwAR02zcT6PdakPVXgP0stVagnGtJoVQ38-_D4Tyl4RaKBKMxmBxGNrM3DLlg

[danjosaint]

The lad Osborn at Sheffield utd looked ok yesterday, plays lwb looked like he could have a lot of potential,  got up and down very well but don't know enough of him to know about his defensive capabilities 

[Chez]

23 minutes ago, danjosaint said:

The lad Osborn at Sheffield utd looked ok yesterday, plays lwb looked like he could have a lot of potential,  got up and down very well but don't know enough of him to know about his defensive capabilities 

He mostly plays in midfield, although I think he started off as a left back at Forest.  Was pretty good as a midfielder at Forest, hence the move to United, but not really managed to hold down a place since that move. Did United play 4 or 5 at the back yesterday?

[Chez]

30 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Offered Choudary, apparently.

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/18982959.saints-offered-chance-sign-choudhury-loan/?ref=fbshr&fbclid=IwAR02zcT6PdakPVXgP0stVagnGtJoVQ38-_D4Tyl4RaKBKMxmBxGNrM3DLlg

is he actually any good? I've only ever seen him come on as a sub and he hasn't really impressed. The big hair certainly catches the eye. Has the Diallo signings effectively ended any interest?

[Saint Troy]

1 hour ago, Chez said:

Anyone seen much of Michael Olise (Reading)? His youtube video suggests he's a talent, an excellent dribbler, with some silky skills, but very very one footed. Doubt Reading will sell anyone at this point, and not sure he fits our style, but I'm interested in other opinions.

 

Mate of mine who’s a reading fan rates him highly. Thinks he will be playing prem footy next year regardless of readings progress. From what I’ve heard / seen (albeit match highlights) I’d  be keen as sounds like he finds pockets of space well, can dribble and pick a decent pass which sounds good. Rumours of £8m release clause apparently but could be bollox. If that’s true I’d snap him up 

[Turkish]

5 minutes ago, Chez said:

is he actually any good? I've only ever seen him come on as a sub and he hasn't really impressed. The big hair certainly catches the eye. Has the Diallo signings effectively ended any interest?

My view is same as yours, seems noticeable only because of his hair. I can’t see why we’d be interested. Not really an area we need to stengethen.

[Chez]

I notice `my mate' Joe Aribo started the old firm game yesterday. Anyone see that game? How did he look? He seemed to struggle to get a game last season, but seems more of a fixture in the Rangers side this. 

[Master Bates]

1 hour ago, Turkish said:

I noticed no one has mentioned the other picture with Gardos in it. Maybe he’s coming back too? Or maybe they just met up for drink somewhere like old friends/colleagues do sometimes. 

At no point did I say Pelle was coming back.

[trousers]

11 hours ago, tpv01 said:

Jan Bednarek signed as a 21 year old for 5 MM (10 MM in today’s money) on 1st July 2017.....

.....didn’t play a minute of premier league until April 2018.

And look at him now. Solidly our number 1 centre back since Van Dijk left.

no rush with young centre backs not used to the league. Make a few mistakes by not being up to the speed and never see them again. 

At the time we signed Bednarek, the club made it overtly clear in their publicity that we were signing someone for the U23s rather than for the first team. I don't have the stats to hand but IIRC, Bednarek soon became a regular in the U23s in his first season here (?)

The publicity put out by the club at the time we signed Salisu was markedly different to that which was put out for Bednarek. Salisu was clearly being touted to fans as a first team recruit who had plyed his trade against Messi and co last season. 

Ergo, it's apples and pears territory when comparing Salisu's and Bednarek's signings. 

 

Edited 3 January, 2021 by trousers

[Turkish]

21 minutes ago, Master Bates said:

At no point did I say Pelle was coming back.

It was a general comment as a lot of people are wetting themselves on Twitter about it.

[Turkish]

6 minutes ago, trousers said:

At the time we signed Bednarek, the club made it overtly clear in their publicity that we were signing someone for the U23s rather than for the first team. I don't have the stats to hand but IIRC, Bednarek soon became a regular in the U23s in his first season here (?)

The publicity put out by the club at the time we signed Salisu was markedly different to that which was put out for Bednarek. Salisu was clearly being touted to fans as a first team recruit who had plyed his trade against Messi and co last season. 

Ergo, it's apples and pears territory when comparing Salisu's and Bednarek's signings. 

 

True, but it quickly became apparent he was better than Hoedt and Yoshida so was fasttracked to the first team due to how sh1te the others were as we were awful on the centre of Defence. Not the case with Salisu.

Edited 3 January, 2021 by Turkish

[Master Bates]

6 minutes ago, Turkish said:

It was a general comment as a lot of people are wetting themselves on Twitter about it.

Ah, fair enough 👍

[Convict Colony]

3 hours ago, Chez said:

Yeah, he looks a decent player, but if he has played for the Dutch national team he may be beyond us. 

Yes please

However, one player that has somehow gone under the radar is Owen Wijndal. The medium-built pacey left-back who is sometimes compared to Andrew Robertson in the twitter world due to their similar playing style 

https://totalfootballanalysis.com/article/owen-wijndal-scout-report-tactical-analysis-tactics

[marshmello]

Risk free bringing Damarai Gray in on a short term loan. Look how lethargic we looked in the last 3 games. No covid break this second half of the season. I’m sure no one wants Shane Long being the super sub we want moving forward...

[SuperSAINT]

 

[Turkish]

31 minutes ago, marshmello said:

Risk free bringing Damarai Gray in on a short term loan. Look how lethargic we looked in the last 3 games. No covid break this second half of the season. I’m sure no one wants Shane Long being the super sub we want moving forward...

Doubt it’ll be a short term loan. He’s out of contract in the summer this will be Leicester’s last chance to get a fee, I’m sure there will be plenty of takers for him on a perm deal.

[Soggy Bottom]

Not in the squad today 

18 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Doubt it’ll be a short term loan. He’s out of contract in the summer this will be Leicester’s last chance to get a fee, I’m sure there will be plenty of takers for him on a perm deal.

Not in the squad today 

[Sideways Jim]

4 hours ago, Chez said:

Anyone seen much of Michael Olise (Reading)? His youtube video suggests he's a talent, an excellent dribbler, with some silky skills, but very very one footed. Doubt Reading will sell anyone at this point, and not sure he fits our style, but I'm interested in other opinions.

 

He is probably one of the group of talented players in the Championship, bit like Benrahma and Eze last season. 

 

Id like us to sign him if the opportunity was there, like you said cant see Reading selling whilst they are in a good position. 

 

One for the summer maybe

[Jeremy Corbyn]

57 minutes ago, SuperSAINT said:

 

Good, that would be a good fit and give him the opportunity to sink or swim.

[Chez]

33 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Doubt it’ll be a short term loan. He’s out of contract in the summer this will be Leicester’s last chance to get a fee, I’m sure there will be plenty of takers for him on a perm deal.

Won't most clubs (especially in this financial climate) just wait until the summer and avoid the fee?  He also would probably benefit from a higher wage if there was no fee to pay. 

I am wondering whether there is still interest from Spurs. 

Leicester signed him for bobbins, which possibly makes it easier to allow someone to leave for bobbins.

[Chez]

1 hour ago, SuperSAINT said:

 

I am far from convinced by Obafemi to date, so it will be interesting how he fairs in the Championship. I really hope he can get lots of games and scores for fun. At best he can carry that form across to the Prem, at worst he adds a few million to a possible fee.

[SuperSAINT]

 

[redkeith]

41 minutes ago, Chez said:

Won't most clubs (especially in this financial climate) just wait until the summer and avoid the fee?  He also would probably benefit from a higher wage if there was no fee to pay. 

I am wondering whether there is still interest from Spurs. 

Leicester signed him for bobbins, which possibly makes it easier to allow someone to leave for bobbins.

I think that most players at his level or above  demand an much larger signing on fee when put of contract than if they were still in contract. The agents will argue that he would have cost 10 million if not for Bosman so give my client 5 Mill to sign for you .   

 

[DT]

31 minutes ago, Chez said:

I am far from convinced by Obafemi to date, so it will be interesting how he fairs in the Championship. I really hope he can get lots of games and scores for fun. At best he can carry that form across to the Prem, at worst he adds a few million to a possible fee.

Agree completely. Think he really flatters to deceive. But this move looks a win-win