Summer Transfer Window 2021

[danjosaint]

Could be worse could be Newcastle who let Armstrong and Toney go,  then spunked up £35 on Joelinton 

[Chez]

5 hours ago, saint1977 said:

Thanks for posting. With Gunn at least we’d be rid of one set of wages but the original fee from City stinks when there were already two first team level goalies at the club (debatable I know!). Not that City got that for him but that someone - either Les or Ross paid it. Something a bit awry there. Vesty will be off - if they haven’t offered a new deal and there’s interest. Multi bidders could push it to £20m, unlike most of the duo’s dealings at least that won’t be a thumping loss. Redmond and Theo as the first XI wide options is depressing, let’s hope Tella kicks on next year although RH may see him up front. 

I actually wonder how much the poor wide players (and player as a whole in front of the back four) contribute to making our defenders look bad. Some goals conceded are purely down to poor defensive play, but many are a result of  losing the ball in bad areas, being caught on the break and not providing the necessary cover and applying enough pressure on the man on the ball. Not taking chances at one end also means you have to keep clean sheets at the other.  

Better CM play, he easier it is for CB. More control of the ball, less defending, scoring goals at one end, means not needing to throw players forward and leaving you exposed at the back.

In short, if we don't improve on the play from Redmond, Theo et al, we will continue to lose games. I'm very concerned we will have exactly the same personnel next season in those areas as we did this. Perhaps the manager is too close to the players and doesn't see their faults. Changes need to be made. Doing that ain't easy of course.

[SuperSAINT]

7 hours ago, Convict Colony said:

Dan Sheldons piece this morning on our transfer plans in the Athletic.

Wont bother copying and pasting it as there is nothing in there that hasnt already been covered in there.

• Trying to sell Lemina/Hodet
• Keep ings unless 25-30mil comes in 
• Veestie undecided
• Left/Right backs and reserve needed
• Goalies - all shit (sorry thats just me) but possible to leave - Gunn norwich 5mil + possible angle

Club would spend £15-18m on the right player as a 1-off was the other headline snippet.

[Rebel]

I don't think we should bring Minamino back whether its on loan or as a permanent signing.  Also think its time to sell Redmond - he needs a change and so do we.  And Djenepo either needs to move on permanently or go out on loan to the Championship for a season to get more playing time and first team experience.

I'd like to see us sign Danjuma from Bournemouth - maybe we could send Long and Djenepo there on loan as part of the deal to lower the price.

I'd be happy with either Ryan Gauld or Ryan Christie as relatively low cost left footed additions in the AM role.

Then you'd have Danjuma and Tella as right footed AM/Wingers, Ryan Christie/Gauld? as a left footed AM, and Walcott who can play on either side as well as Armstrong all providing competition and cover for the the AM/No.10 roles.

I am surprised Lloyd Kelly hasn't been mentioned as a candidate for the left back role - he could also provide cover as a left footed centre back.  

Another left back to consider could be Aaron Hickey at Bologna - only 18 I think - but he would provide real cover and competition at left back with first team experience.

 

[TWar]

51 minutes ago, SuperSAINT said:

Club would spend £15-18m on the right player as a 1-off was the other headline snippet.

That'll buy a Danjuma.

[SuperSAINT]

3 minutes ago, TWar said:

That'll buy a Danjuma.

I thought he cost them £14m when he signed?

I’m sure we like him.  But wouldn’t he be £25m+ ?

[TWar]

31 minutes ago, SuperSAINT said:

I thought he cost them £14m when he signed?

I’m sure we like him.  But wouldn’t he be £25m+ ?

Doubt it, Benrahma cost £20m with similar stats so I'd say that will be an upper limit on his price. £18m would probably do it imo, especially since he already played in the prem as was only OK.

[SNSUN]

3 hours ago, Badger said:

Agreed, more I read about him following the link the more it seemed a good option if we could swing it. Unfortunately we're now distanced from the potential move.

...because he would cost more than a bag of magic beans. We don't seem to have a vessel to wee-wee in. That is until we flog Ings and Vestergaard, but even they'll not fetch much more than £35 million and that money would probably cover the cost of replacements anyway. 

 

How nice would it be to wake up one morning soon and find out we've been sold to an Arab trillionaire...

[Matthew Le God]

16 minutes ago, TWar said:

Doubt it, Benrahma cost £20m with similar stats so I'd say that will be an upper limit on his price. £18m would probably do it imo, especially since he already played in the prem as was only OK.

It was a deal worth an initial £25m, rising to a potential £30m.

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/said-benrahma-west-ham-transfer-news-brentford-latest-b1069668.html

Edited 3 June, 2021 by Matthew Le God

[Toussaint]

2 hours ago, Chez said:

I actually wonder how much the poor wide players (and player as a whole in front of the back four) contribute to making our defenders look bad. Some goals conceded are purely down to poor defensive play, but many are a result of  losing the ball in bad areas, being caught on the break and not providing the necessary cover and applying enough pressure on the man on the ball. Not taking chances at one end also means you have to keep clean sheets at the other.  

Better CM play, he easier it is for CB. More control of the ball, less defending, scoring goals at one end, means not needing to throw players forward and leaving you exposed at the back.

In short, if we don't improve on the play from Redmond, Theo et al, we will continue to lose games. I'm very concerned we will have exactly the same personnel next season in those areas as we did this. Perhaps the manager is too close to the players and doesn't see their faults. Changes need to be made. Doing that ain't easy of course.

I've been saying that all along, its easy for the defenders to look like clowns when they are left exposed and in 2 on 1 situations, which happens an awful lot.

[verlaine1979]

8 hours ago, saint1977 said:

Thanks for posting. With Gunn at least we’d be rid of one set of wages but the original fee from City stinks when there were already two first team level goalies at the club (debatable I know!). Not that City got that for him but that someone - either Les or Ross paid it. Something a bit awry there. Vesty will be off - if they haven’t offered a new deal and there’s interest. Multi bidders could push it to £20m, unlike most of the duo’s dealings at least that won’t be a thumping loss. Redmond and Theo as the first XI wide options is depressing, let’s hope Tella kicks on next year although RH may see him up front. 

With Gunn I suspect they were investing £15 to get a definite £30-40m in a year or two. He was incredibly highly-rated, had name recognition from his dad and had come off the back of a decent season on loan. To be honest, based on how poorly the other two did this year, I suspect we'd probably have been slightly better off with Gunn, as he can at least pass the ball out accurately and quickly, which is essential to how we were trying to play all season.

[Convict Colony]

15 minutes ago, verlaine1979 said:

With Gunn I suspect they were investing £15 to get a definite £30-40m in a year or two. He was incredibly highly-rated, had name recognition from his dad and had come off the back of a decent season on loan. To be honest, based on how poorly the other two did this year, I suspect we'd probably have been slightly better off with Gunn, as he can at least pass the ball out accurately and quickly, which is essential to how we were trying to play all season.

yeah we are not flush with money and based on the awesome stats breakdown about how rubbish they are by @TWar i'd for this season try gunn and play him as an interim solution until summer as his distribution is vastly better and his save ratio can't be any worse.  

 

[davefizzy14]

http://sportwitness.co.uk/southampton-talking-for-days-with-club-to-sign-player-saints-told-e16m-needed-for-transfer/

[Ex Lion Tamer]

53 minutes ago, davefizzy14 said:

http://sportwitness.co.uk/southampton-talking-for-days-with-club-to-sign-player-saints-told-e16m-needed-for-transfer/

It's left out of that article but it seems like the original Sport article links West Ham as well, which could be a problem for us

[woodsaint1]

https://twitter.com/alex_crook/status/1400365392640552961?s=19

Crook claiming that Firpo is not our number one LB target. Though to be honest I'm not sure hes even in the loop with Saints info anymore. Gets more wrong than right

[S-Clarke]

30 minutes ago, woodsaint1 said:

https://twitter.com/alex_crook/status/1400365392640552961?s=19

Crook claiming that Firpo is not our number one LB target. Though to be honest I'm not sure hes even in the loop with Saints info anymore. Gets more wrong than right

Standard Crook trying to sound informed but not actually saying anything.

[skintsaint]

16m Euros seems a good price for him as sure Barca paid more for him. Why they ditching him? Thought he was highly rated in Spain?

[SaintBitterne]

5 hours ago, skintsaint said:

16m Euros seems a good price for him as sure Barca paid more for him. Why they ditching him? Thought he was highly rated in Spain?

Barca need cash. In any way possible. A lot of costly assets with no resale.

[LuckyNumber7]

5 hours ago, skintsaint said:

16m Euros seems a good price for him as sure Barca paid more for him. Why they ditching him? Thought he was highly rated in Spain?

Think they payed £20M+ for him but he has struggled for regular play time. Plus Barca need the money.

He's a good age too, would be great if we could pull this one off.

[Saint_clark]

18 hours ago, SuperSAINT said:

Club would spend £15-18m on the right player as a 1-off was the other headline snippet.

What's the betting we spend that much on Minamino 😂

[Saint_clark]

8 hours ago, woodsaint1 said:

https://twitter.com/alex_crook/status/1400365392640552961?s=19

Crook claiming that Firpo is not our number one LB target. Though to be honest I'm not sure hes even in the loop with Saints info anymore. Gets more wrong than right

Easy punt for him, West Ham more likely to sign Firpo and then when we sign someone else we'll do our usual trick of claiming they were our first choice all along.

[SuperSAINT]

Article in The Athletic reporting Utd are closing in on sancho. 

Also mentioned in the article:

Director of football negotiations Matt Judge is also in dialogue over Kieran Trippier.

————

Interesting for us, re: Brandon Williams

[nta786]

I don't know why but I'd remain slightly cautious about Firpo.

Semedo came from Barca too and is perceived as the better player in his peak years but he hasn't exactly set the world alight at Wolves.

I think as long as the price is right, well worth a punt.

[TWar]

41 minutes ago, nta786 said:

I don't know why but I'd remain slightly cautious about Firpo.

Semedo came from Barca too and is perceived as the better player in his peak years but he hasn't exactly set the world alight at Wolves.

I think as long as the price is right, well worth a punt.

Wolves took a very defensive fullback and tried to play him as a wingback replacing Doherty who was basically a forward. Tbh I think Semedo has looked fine defensively and has good ball winning numbers, he just isn't a wide forward like Wolves want him to be.

[stevy777_x]

9 minutes ago, TWar said:

Wolves took a very defensive fullback and tried to play him as a wingback replacing Doherty who was basically a forward. Tbh I think Semedo has looked fine defensively and has good ball winning numbers, he just isn't a wide forward like Wolves want him to be.

What a load of tosh.

Semedo is clearly an attacking full back.

https://www.google.fr/amp/s/barcelonaanalysis.com/analysis/player-analysis/nelson-semedo-201920-scout-report-tactical-analysis-tactics/amp

[TWar]

17 minutes ago, stevy777_x said:

What a load of tosh.

Semedo is clearly an attacking full back.

https://www.google.fr/amp/s/barcelonaanalysis.com/analysis/player-analysis/nelson-semedo-201920-scout-report-tactical-analysis-tactics/amp

In his last three seasons with Barca in the league Semedo got 2 goals and 2 assists total. 1 goal and 2 assists in 19/20, 1 goal and 0 assists in 18/19 and absolutely nothing in 17/18.

Doherty got 8 goals and 8 assists in his two top flight seasons at Wolves, averaging 8 goal involvements a season to Semedo's 1.3. This for a wolves side which is significantly less attacking and scores significantly fewer goals than Barca in a harder league. Semedo might get forward a bit but for raw output he was never going to be an adequate replacement in the final third as Doherty had over double the league goal involvements in one season than Semedo managed in his entire Barca career.

Edited 4 June, 2021 by TWar

[waylander]

1 hour ago, stevy777_x said:

What a load of tosh.

Semedo is clearly an attacking full back.

https://www.google.fr/amp/s/barcelonaanalysis.com/analysis/player-analysis/nelson-semedo-201920-scout-report-tactical-analysis-tactics/amp

Very good at getting dodgy penalties from opposition players trying to get out of the way of his crosses.

[skintsaint]

Maybe we should get Doherty...seeing as he isn't exactly first choice at Spurs 😄 - has he got a decent left foot?

 

*Yes I know he plays on the right...

Edited 4 June, 2021 by skintsaint

[SKD]

2 hours ago, TWar said:

In his last three seasons with Barca in the league Semedo got 2 goals and 2 assists total. 1 goal and 2 assists in 19/20, 1 goal and 0 assists in 18/19 and absolutely nothing in 17/18.

Doherty got 8 goals and 8 assists in his two top flight seasons at Wolves, averaging 8 goal involvements a season to Semedo's 1.3. This for a wolves side which is significantly less attacking and scores significantly fewer goals than Barca in a harder league. Semedo might get forward a bit but for raw output he was never going to be an adequate replacement in the final third as Doherty had over double the league goal involvements in one season than Semedo managed in his entire Barca career.

Doherty has always played as a wing back / Defensive winger in a 343 (or variation of). He’s basically not good enough going forward to be a winger or defensively to be a full back. Naturally, his goal involvement will be more than Semedo who has pretty much always played as a Orthodox RB. Wolves even changed to a back 4 this season.  

Just because he isn’t as good going forward as Doherty (who was found wanting when tried in a back 4 because he can’t actually defend), that doesn’t make him a very defensive RB. I’d say Semedo is your modern day full back, similar to KWP. 

[Saint Garrett]

Josh King left Everton…(sure I’m with the half the rest of the league saying HCDAJFU!)

Edited 4 June, 2021 by Saint Garrett

[TWar]

Just now, SKD said:

Doherty has always played as a wing back / Defensive winger in a 343 (or variation of). He’s basically not good enough going forward to be a winger or defensively to be a full back. Naturally, his goal involvement will be more than Semedo who has pretty much always played as a Orthodox RB. Wolves even changed to a back 4 this season.  

Just because he isn’t as good going forward as Doherty (who was found wanting when tried in a back 4 because he can’t actually defend), that doesn’t make him a very defensive RB. I’d say Semedo is your modern day full back, similar to KWP. 

This was basically my point, Wolves played with a 3 at the back 24 times this season and a 4 at the back 14 times, Semedo was benched twice when playing 4 atb so he only played 12 games in his preferred position and 24 games not. He might not be "very defensive" when to KWP but he is compared to Doherty who he was brought in to replace.

The point I was making is that he is defensively fine, he puts in 3.49 defensive actions per 90 to Doherty's 2.75 and wins 2.5 tackles a game to Doherty's 1.7.

He is well off the pace attacking-wise with an expected goal involvements per 90 of 0.12 to Doherty's 0.27.

This should have been obvious to Wolves that they were signing someone who had never had over 7 goal involvements in their career in a season (in the league) to replace someone who had gotten over 7 every year for five years on the bounce.

Also, for the record, Doherty was plenty good enough going forward to be a winger, he put up very respectable numbers for a winger. Also Wolves mostly played a 352 last season with Jota and Jimenez up top with Dendonker, Moutinho, and Neves in behind them. Spurs amusingly made the opposite mistake and tried to play Doherty as a traditional fullback to disastrous results.

[beatlesaint]

21 minutes ago, Saint Garrett said:

Josh King left Everton…(sure I’m with the half the rest of the league saying HCDAJFU!)

That was such a strange move, he was being courted by Man Utd at one point with the Cherry pips turning down big money….

then this happens to him, a six month contract and then released. 
No chance of Saints going for him so doesn’t matter if he’s good, bad or indifferent.

[Jeremy Corbyn]

7 minutes ago, beatlesaint said:

That was such a strange move, he was being courted by Man Utd at one point with the Cherry pips turning down big money….

then this happens to him, a six month contract and then released. 
No chance of Saints going for him so doesn’t matter if he’s good, bad or indifferent.

Why don't you think we'd go for him?  Wages too high?

I'd have thought he'd be worth considering on a free.

[UpweySaint]

2 minutes ago, Jeremy Corbyn said:

Why don't you think we'd go for him?  Wages too high?

I'd have thought he'd be worth considering on a free.

IIRC there was talk that his wage demands were pretty hefty.

Surely worth exploring though, would provide genuine competition and goal threat. Lots to like if there is a deal to be done. 

[skintsaint]

13 minutes ago, UpweySaint said:

and goal threat

not really 😄 He doesn't score too many, without checking probably on par with our man Long...

[TWar]

5 minutes ago, skintsaint said:

not really 😄 He doesn't score too many, without checking probably on par with our man Long...

48 goals in 151 prem games, not a bad return tbh. Long has 27 goals in 183 so King is over double Long per game. He racked up a 16 goal season and a 12 goal season in the prem too so he definitely does have goals in him.

I don't want him though, wages will be high and he looks washed up.

Edited 4 June, 2021 by TWar

[skintsaint]

7 minutes ago, TWar said:

48 goals in 151 prem games, not a bad return tbh. Long has 27 goals in 183 so King is over double Long per game. He racked up a 16 goal season and a 12 goal season in the prem too so he definitely does have goals in him.

I don't want him though, wages will be high and he looks washed up.

Fair enough, didn't think he was a 1 in 3 striker personally. Wouldn't compare to Long like that though... goals per minute might be a better bet for this comparison as King was a first teamer at Bournemouth..Long been bit part for years with tons of sub appearances, although still with a shite goal return!! 

[saint1977]

9 minutes ago, TWar said:

48 goals in 151 prem games, not a bad return tbh. Long has 27 goals in 183 so King is over double Long per game. He racked up a 16 goal season and a 12 goal season in the prem too so he definitely does have goals in him.

I don't want him though, wages will be high and he looks washed up.

Good post overall although not sure I’d see him as washed up, had the impression Brands signed him at Everton to give DCL and diver-ilson some competition but not posh enough for Ancelotti. People said the same about Ings when he was linked with SFC and we’ve said the same about Berty. Different environment, and some managers gel with some players. I suspect he fancied doing a Ryan Fraser and a free on big wages to Arsenal, Man U and saw Fraser end up at Newcastle only playing part of the season. I think he would be OK but only if we keep Ings, with Adams, not as a replacement. Obafemi would probably be sold to the Champ if King came in.

Edited 4 June, 2021 by saint1977

[JustinSFC]

People on here give Che Adams copious amounts of shit but would fully take Josh King. 

Josh King couldn't get a game for Everton in a team where Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison are their only other recognised strikers.

[Barsiem]

If JV goes then I hope we’re looking at Ajer from Celtic as a replacement.  Available for £6m according to the press, and we’ve had a great return from all the players we’ve signed from Celtic over the years (I know some with disagree re FF!!]

[skintsaint]

7 minutes ago, Barsiem said:

If JV goes then I hope we’re looking at Ajer from Celtic as a replacement.  Available for £6m according to the press, and we’ve had a great return from all the players we’ve signed from Celtic over the years (I know some with disagree re FF!!]

give them 7m + FF.

[SKD]

1 hour ago, JustinSFC said:

People on here give Che Adams copious amounts of shit but would fully take Josh King. 

Josh King couldn't get a game for Everton in a team where Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison are their only other recognised strikers.

Do you think Adams would get a game for Everton then? King and Adams are probably about on par with each other

[saint1977]

1 hour ago, JustinSFC said:

People on here give Che Adams copious amounts of shit but would fully take Josh King. 

Josh King couldn't get a game for Everton in a team where Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison are their only other recognised strikers.

They were both in good form and fitness and Everton’s issues were more in defence and midfield. He won’t be as good as Ings but who would be? If Ings hadn’t had injuries he wouldn’t be at SFC. He could work well in RH’s system and might not even need to move house. More chance of first team regular than some of the other sides he was linked with.

FWIW I dont think he is coming to SFC and in many ways I’d proritise a right sided CB like Ajer as Salisu will lockdown Left sided DC and Vesty is going. They will look at him but probably get a 20 year old wide forward from Ligue 1 with pace for 8m Euros instead and if Danny leaves go balls out for Eduaord or similar. I don’t think they would sign King and a first choice Ings replacement because of the wage bill but there are some sensible arguments for him as genuine competition for Danny and Che if the former stays.

[Give it to Ron]

25 minutes ago, SKD said:

Do you think Adams would get a game for Everton then? King and Adams are probably about on par with each other

Championship strikers??

[Badger]

1 hour ago, skintsaint said:

give them 7m + FF.

Or use it as a chance to offload Ely.

[tajjuk]

3 minutes ago, Badger said:

Or use it as a chance to offload Ely.

Why not both for Edouard and Ajer? 

Doubt we'll be able to do any dealings with Celtic though until they sort their manager situation out who IIRC is awaiting a verdict from UEFA because he doesn't have the top coaching licence. 

[TWar]

Ajer is definitely good value for £6m but have heard him described as big, slow and clumsy. Have heard good things about him too in that he is apparently a good leader and plays the ball well but Celtic have not been good at all defensively this season so there has to be big question marks around him. I would love us to get him at £6m to compete with Bednarek but won't be devastated if he goes elsewhere.

[VectisSaint]

3 hours ago, TWar said:

48 goals in 151 prem games, not a bad return tbh. Long has 27 goals in 183 so King is over double Long per game. He racked up a 16 goal season and a 12 goal season in the prem too so he definitely does have goals in him.

I don't want him though, wages will be high and he looks washed up.

6 league goals in the last 2 season (none last season) including in the Championship. Only ever scored double figures goals twice. Not exactly prolific. Reputation based on one good season 5 years ago.

[skintsaint]

26 minutes ago, TWar said:

Ajer is definitely good value for £6m but have heard him described as big, slow and clumsy. Have heard good things about him too in that he is apparently a good leader and plays the ball well but Celtic have not been good at all defensively this season so there has to be big question marks around him. I would love us to get him at £6m to compete with Bednarek but won't be devastated if he goes elsewhere.

JV replacement sorted then....

[EBS1980]

Sergio Romero On a free would be an improvement to our XI, although would need  us to sell another keeper.