Summer Transfer Window 2021

[HarvSFC]

5 hours ago, JustinSFC said:

Why is anyone surprised?
 

After the season we've just had, clubs like Manchester United are going to be reluctant to let their young talent come here, that's not even getting into trying to convince the actual player himself.

I said it a few weeks back, this summer window is going to be tough because we're skint and fucking shite.

Norwich being the better option, who are also skint and were shiter than shite last time they were in our league and just sold their best player?

[harvey]

12 hours ago, Smirking_Saint said:

Fully agree with this, and understand why Ralph says a DM is not a priority..... the centre of the pitch is probably our only position where we have starting quality AND depth..... 

If we have a tight budget, we need to focus elsewhere

Starting quality that has minimal attacking ability.....not that impressed with Diallo tbh, one or two nice moments but few and far between and way too easily bullied off the ball.

[egg]

1 hour ago, harvey said:

Starting quality that has minimal attacking ability.....not that impressed with Diallo tbh, one or two nice moments but few and far between and way too easily bullied off the ball.

Agreed. We have attacking quality from the middle when Armstrong plays there, but we lose him from further up the pitch. Diallo started well, but I thought he was poor for a long while and looked weak. 

[Sheaf Saint]

17 hours ago, the saint in winchester said:

Ridiculous. Sounds like we have reached agreement with the player and possibly Brest too, but that either the player or the club don't want the deal to go through yet, in case there are better bids or personal terms incoming from another party.

This is the unfortunate reality for clubs like us. His agent will advise him to hold out until the very last minute to see if he can get a better offer. That's just how they work these days. That's why all our signings seem to go through very late on in the window.

[TWar]

2 hours ago, harvey said:

Starting quality that has minimal attacking ability.....not that impressed with Diallo tbh, one or two nice moments but few and far between and way too easily bullied off the ball.

I don't know how much attacking is supposed to come from that position. We have four forwards and two advanced fullbacks, the double pivot is more to advance play and screen the back four rather that cutting de Bruyne style through balls. Obviously they are nice, but I think Diallo and JWP will be fine if we improve our attacking mid and left back situation 

[Billy the Kidd]

32 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

This is the unfortunate reality for clubs like us. His agent will advise him to hold out until the very last minute to see if he can get a better offer. That's just how they work these days. That's why all our signings seem to go through very late on in the window.

It is hardly like the transfer window is on fire with deals being announced by all other clubs on the hour.

There is a major tournament that has just started, that also makes some things more difficult. 

Do you know his agent? I doubt you do, so doubt you know what is going on in truth, none of us do, but transfers are complicated and have many different things going on.

And if we get some player that barely anyone had heard of before watching their YouTube video and feeling robbed if we dont, then we move on to someone else.

What I expect happens, is that we approach multiple targets, and agree a deal with one, and have to tell the others we wont be signing them. It all works both ways...

[Turkish]

1 hour ago, Sheaf Saint said:

This is the unfortunate reality for clubs like us. His agent will advise him to hold out until the very last minute to see if he can get a better offer. That's just how they work these days. That's why all our signings seem to go through very late on in the window.

Incorrect. Last few summers we’ve done a couple of big (for us) deals early then one or two more at the end of the window. 

[VectisSaint]

17 hours ago, Smirking_Saint said:

Fully agree with this, and understand why Ralph says a DM is not a priority..... the centre of the pitch is probably our only position where we have starting quality AND depth..... 

If we have a tight budget, we need to focus elsewhere

Ralph has not said this consistently. I think it was at the fans Forum he said it was a priority to provide depth in the centre of mid. He wants 2 for each position and currently we only have 3 first teamers in that area for 2 places, Oriol, JWP and Diallo. Unless he is now including Lemina or Jankowitz his plans have not been fulfilled. It is quite clear that we have a major shortage in CM as highlighted towards the end of last season, another season with injuries and we will be short again. Obviously it helped playing Armstrong there latterly, but that is not a solution, because it takes him away from his AM role, where he is better. Its great to know he can play there very effectively but until cloning becomes an option or we sign a better AM it is not a solution to the problem and I think Ralph will still be looking to bolster this area. We have starting quality but we clearly do not have depth.

[stevy777_x]

11 minutes ago, VectisSaint said:

Ralph has not said this consistently. I think it was at the fans Forum he said it was a priority to provide depth in the centre of mid. He wants 2 for each position and currently we only have 3 first teamers in that area for 2 places, Oriol, JWP and Diallo. Unless he is now including Lemina or Jankowitz his plans have not been fulfilled. It is quite clear that we have a major shortage in CM as highlighted towards the end of last season, another season with injuries and we will be short again. Obviously it helped playing Armstrong there latterly, but that is not a solution, because it takes him away from his AM role, where he is better. Its great to know he can play there very effectively but until cloning becomes an option or we sign a better AM it is not a solution to the problem and I think Ralph will still be looking to bolster this area. We have starting quality but we clearly do not have depth.

Just stick Lemina in there, he is perfectly capable to do a job there and we can focus on spending money on other priority positions.

A striker is a big priority for me with Ings leaving this summer or next, would be good to find someone who can get used to our style of play straightaway this summer

[SuperSAINT]

Alberth Elis. 25 year old winger.

http://sportwitness.co.uk/west-ham-and-southampton-initiated-talks-to-sign-player-club-requested-e10m-for-summer-sale/
 

Edited 12 June, 2021 by SuperSAINT

[VectisSaint]

3 hours ago, stevy777_x said:

Just stick Lemina in there, he is perfectly capable to do a job there and we can focus on spending money on other priority positions.

A striker is a big priority for me with Ings leaving this summer or next, would be good to find someone who can get used to our style of play straightaway this summer

Agree, but I fear Lemina and Ralph do not see eye to eye. Striker is not a priority this window if Ings stays (as I believe he will). Full back(s) is top priority, sorting out GK and DM is next. I do expect us to make changes up front, but only in a one out/one in way, Long, N'Lundulu and Obafemi all potential outs

[The Curse of St Mary's]

I guess Daniel James may be allowed out on loan next season if Sancho signs. We are after a winger. CHDAJFU? 

[the saint in winchester]

4 minutes ago, The Curse of St Mary's said:

I guess Daniel James may be allowed out on loan next season if Sancho signs. We are after a winger. CHDAJFU? 

Yes, definitely, but even their squad players are likely on £100k pw!

[SuperSAINT]

1 hour ago, The Curse of St Mary's said:

I guess Daniel James may be allowed out on loan next season if Sancho signs. We are after a winger. CHDAJFU? 

I like him.

He’ll probably end up at Leeds.

[Antrimsaint]

11 hours ago, harvey said:

Starting quality that has minimal attacking ability.....not that impressed with Diallo tbh, one or two nice moments but few and far between and way too easily bullied off the ball.

Disagree really. Ive always thought he looked ok. Problem is that he’s not a starter and cant build that relationship in midfield. Always thought that Romeuo and Prowse developed their dynamic through playing time. I think Diallo has the same attributes but needs time on the pitch

[Ex Lion Tamer]

4 hours ago, VectisSaint said:

Agree, but I fear Lemina and Ralph do not see eye to eye. Striker is not a priority this window if Ings stays (as I believe he will). Full back(s) is top priority, sorting out GK and DM is next. I do expect us to make changes up front, but only in a one out/one in way, Long, N'Lundulu and Obafemi all potential outs

We can only speculate but if Lemina didn't show the right application/discipline, then he was better off out of the squad, otherwise it could rub off on the other players. Of course, to us on the outside we only see a player with ability not being used which can feel strange

[ErwinK1961]

7 hours ago, SuperSAINT said:

Alberth Elis. 25 year old winger.

http://sportwitness.co.uk/west-ham-and-southampton-initiated-talks-to-sign-player-club-requested-e10m-for-summer-sale/
 

Wonder if us and West Ham will be the go to for random (or made up) rumours this summer.

Edited 12 June, 2021 by ErwinK1961

[ErwinK1961]

4 hours ago, SuperSAINT said:

I like him.

He’ll probably end up at Leeds.

After watching the Amazon documentary, didn’t realise how close he was to going there in the first place. Swansea completely screwed them.

[Billy the Kidd]

What’s going on with Minamino then, hasn’t he just left the Japan squad…

[Roo1976]

18 minutes ago, Billy the Kidd said:

What’s going on with Minamino then, hasn’t he just left the Japan squad…

Have you seen him play..........?

[Billy the Kidd]

6 hours ago, Roo1976 said:

Have you seen him play..........?

Yes, not sure why you’re asking that. 

I just said something looks to be going on, didn’t even say with us. 

[Sheaf Saint]

On 12/06/2021 at 08:40, Billy the Kidd said:

It is hardly like the transfer window is on fire with deals being announced by all other clubs on the hour.

There is a major tournament that has just started, that also makes some things more difficult. 

Do you know his agent? I doubt you do, so doubt you know what is going on in truth, none of us do, but transfers are complicated and have many different things going on.

And if we get some player that barely anyone had heard of before watching their YouTube video and feeling robbed if we dont, then we move on to someone else.

What I expect happens, is that we approach multiple targets, and agree a deal with one, and have to tell the others we wont be signing them. It all works both ways...

No I don't personally know his agent, so I obviously don't know for certain what I said is true in this particular case. But I do know, having spoken at length with my sister-in-law who has dealt with multiple agents on behalf of my nephew, that this is how they work. No agent is going to advise their clients to accept the first offer that presents itself, in any walk of life, because it's not in their own interests.

So no, I have no idea if this is the reason why Perraud hasn't signed yet. But my comment was meant as more of a generic one that is true in most cases. A club of our size and history doesn't have the pull to make players desperately want to sign for us. If, as reported, we have agreed terms with Perraud but he's holding off from signing it yet, then the likelihood is he is waiting to see if he gets a better offer first.

[Billy the Kidd]

51 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

No I don't personally know his agent, so I obviously don't know for certain what I said is true in this particular case. But I do know, having spoken at length with my sister-in-law who has dealt with multiple agents on behalf of my nephew, that this is how they work. No agent is going to advise their clients to accept the first offer that presents itself, in any walk of life, because it's not in their own interests.

So no, I have no idea if this is the reason why Perraud hasn't signed yet. But my comment was meant as more of a generic one that is true in most cases. A club of our size and history doesn't have the pull to make players desperately want to sign for us. If, as reported, we have agreed terms with Perraud but he's holding off from signing it yet, then the likelihood is he is waiting to see if he gets a better offer first.

So we’re kind of saying the same thing then. 

[Saint86]

On 12/06/2021 at 11:17, VectisSaint said:

Ralph has not said this consistently. I think it was at the fans Forum he said it was a priority to provide depth in the centre of mid. He wants 2 for each position and currently we only have 3 first teamers in that area for 2 places, Oriol, JWP and Diallo. Unless he is now including Lemina or Jankowitz his plans have not been fulfilled. It is quite clear that we have a major shortage in CM as highlighted towards the end of last season, another season with injuries and we will be short again. Obviously it helped playing Armstrong there latterly, but that is not a solution, because it takes him away from his AM role, where he is better. Its great to know he can play there very effectively but until cloning becomes an option or we sign a better AM it is not a solution to the problem and I think Ralph will still be looking to bolster this area. We have starting quality but we clearly do not have depth.

Don't forget Smallbone who Ralph has mentioned in numerous pressers as someone he's missing! 

[gammon cheeks]

1 hour ago, Saint86 said:

Don't forget Smallbone who Ralph has mentioned in numerous pressers as someone he's missing! 

Smallbone is nice and tidy player but lacks physical presence ....We need another Wanyama in my opinion .

[SaveloyMush]

A good big 'un will always beat a good small 'un.

[davefizzy14]

We are still interested in Firpo :- https://www.google.com/amp/s/le10sport.com/football/mercato/mercato-barcelone-joan-laporta-a-tranche-pour-lavenir-de-cet-indesirable-554089/amp

[Chez]

On 12/06/2021 at 14:41, VectisSaint said:

Agree, but I fear Lemina and Ralph do not see eye to eye. 

Fells like bridges have been burned. Lemina expected us to be challenging for Europe, Ralph expected Lemina to do more to help us do that. I predict Lemina will leave, on loan, on the last day of the window.

[Chez]

On 12/06/2021 at 16:40, Antrimsaint said:

Disagree really. Ive always thought he looked ok. Problem is that he’s not a starter and cant build that relationship in midfield. Always thought that Romeuo and Prowse developed their dynamic through playing time. I think Diallo has the same attributes but needs time on the pitch

I like him too. Some of the stuff he does on the ball when under massive pressure from an opponent makes me think he could be a terrific player for us. Get his role right and partnership with JWP or Romeu and he will be an asset. I'm much more concerned about our wide men/attacking midfielders.

[Badger]

22 minutes ago, Chez said:

I like him too. Some of the stuff he does on the ball when under massive pressure from an opponent makes me think he could be a terrific player for us. Get his role right and partnership with JWP or Romeu and he will be an asset. I'm much more concerned about our wide men/attacking midfielders.

We still seem a bit lightweight in MF, Romeu is the only one who offers some strength. Whichever permutation we go for it's still a far cry from the Schneiderlin-Wanyama partnership.

[Antrimsaint]

2 hours ago, Badger said:

We still seem a bit lightweight in MF, Romeu is the only one who offers some strength. Whichever permutation we go for it's still a far cry from the Schneiderlin-Wanyama partnership.

I may be biased but for a while there that partnership was a beautiful thing to watch. I would go as far to say that midfield duo was the best ever seen at St Mary’s. Both moved on but were never as good again. Sometimes a dynamic evolves that cannot be bettered. It didn’t last that long but it was a midfield duo I wouldn’t have swapped for any other in the league at that time. They complimented each other so well. Porch certainly benefitted from that partnership.

[Far que]

Saints searching the bargain basement bin for signings 

[Matthew Le God]

36 minutes ago, Far que said:

Saints searching the bargain basement bin for signings 

Would you prefer we spent £7m on Armstrong or a club record £19m on Carrillo?

It is how cleverly you spend, not how much you spend that is important. Too many focus on transfer fee and net spend. 

Edited 14 June, 2021 by Matthew Le God

[Give it to Ron]

1 hour ago, Far que said:

Saints searching the bargain basement bin for signings 

Shouldn’t you be more worried you are the feeder club for Wigan??

[Fitzhugh Fella]

1 hour ago, Matthew Le God said:

Would you prefer we spent £7m on Armstrong or a club record £19m on Carrillo?

It is how cleverly you spend, not how much you spend that is important. Too many focus on transfer fee and net spend. 

Searching the bargain bin only works if you find that elusive bargain. Not sure we have the manager or the scouting set up to do that anymore. Armstrong was a lucky dip. 

[Ex Lion Tamer]

5 hours ago, Antrimsaint said:

I may be biased but for a while there that partnership was a beautiful thing to watch. I would go as far to say that midfield duo was the best ever seen at St Mary’s. Both moved on but were never as good again. Sometimes a dynamic evolves that cannot be bettered. It didn’t last that long but it was a midfield duo I wouldn’t have swapped for any other in the league at that time. They complimented each other so well. Porch certainly benefitted from that partnership.

Poch's system and coaching brought the very best out of them. So many of his players failed to replicate their form once they left the club. The same happened once Eriksen left spurs too

[qwertyell]

1 hour ago, Ex Lion Tamer said:

The same happened once Eriksen left spurs too

Not true. After a slow start he became an integral player in an Inter side that just won Serie A.

Sadly, that'll almost certainly be his last achievement as a player, but there are more important things in life.

[SKD]

3 hours ago, Matthew Le God said:

Would you prefer we spent £7m on Armstrong or a club record £19m on Carrillo?

It is how cleverly you spend, not how much you spend that is important. Too many focus on transfer fee and net spend. 

That’s a bit of a daft argument. It was clear almost straight away that we massively overpaid (by like £15m) for Carrillo and it was a panic signing to appease a manager who was clearly out of his depth. 

Generally speaking (anomalies obviously will be in there), but the more you pay for a player the better they’ll be. For every Armstrong, there is a Djenepo. 

Whilst I really rate Armstrong and think he’s one of our best and most important players, he’s about our level really. I can’t see a top 6 club ever coming in for him. 

The reality is, there are some really, really good players in that £20-£30m bracket (as shown by Leicester, who’ll now make those players 40-50m) which we’re just not willing to stretch to. 

[Jeremy Corbyn]

Not sure if mentioned, but apparently we're looking at Ryan Christie from Celtic.  His contract runs out in January for some reason, so would be available very cheap.

[Far que]

That’s a saints signing

[Piran]

13 hours ago, gammon cheeks said:

Smallbone is nice and tidy player but lacks physical presence ....We need another Wanyama in my opinion .

I have been one who previously suggested we need to 'size up' the team, but I believe that Smallbone was coming along nicely. Such a pity that he was injured just when he appeared to be part of the team, and gaining confidence; and a player's confidence is a major part of creating a physical presence. 

[SonicBoom]

To be fair to Diallo he is still a very young kid. He moved to a different country and culture and may not have known anyone. 

He had a lot to adjust to, not least of all PL football. At his age there is every reason to hope that his confidence and physique will grow. I don't remember Schneiderlin being particularly brilliant the moment he arrived from Le Havre although he was a bit younger at the time. Don't underestimate how much time it takes to feel like you fit and are at home in unfamiliar surroundings. 

I think Diallo could fill out and be a really good player for us this year. The talent is there. I'm not quite sure where he plays yet. I've seen him playas the DM and that seems most natural. He's also played further forward and he does have an eye for a pass but his shooting left something to be desired. My point being that it's easy for fans to write off a player as not being up to it, but he's had a lot to deal with and there is certainly a player in there. 

[Diabolus Ex Machina]

3 hours ago, SKD said:

That’s a bit of a daft argument. It was clear almost straight away that we massively overpaid (by like £15m) for Carrillo and it was a panic signing to appease a manager who was clearly out of his depth. 

Generally speaking (anomalies obviously will be in there), but the more you pay for a player the better they’ll be. For every Armstrong, there is a Djenepo. 

Whilst I really rate Armstrong and think he’s one of our best and most important players, he’s about our level really. I can’t see a top 6 club ever coming in for him. 

The reality is, there are some really, really good players in that £20-£30m bracket (as shown by Leicester, who’ll now make those players 40-50m) which we’re just not willing to stretch to. 

Doesn't seem to be the case for Saints unfortunately - based on the ‘Southampton's signings over the past decade’ thread, the list of players we’ve spent £15m or more on are Dani Osvaldo, Sofiane Boufal, Mario Lemina, Wesley Hoedt, Guido Carrillo, Mohamed Elyounoussi, Jannik Vestergaard, Che Adams and Danny Ings.

Only those last 3 – Vest, Adams and Ings – have made any sort of lasting impression on the team and the rest have proven to mostly be huge wastes of money. We know you don’t rate Adams either so would you say that only Ings and Vest have been successes of those with high fees? Even your example of Djenepo being a bad low cost signing is a bit odd as he cost twice as much as Armstrong.

On the other hand you drop down just a bit in price and we got the likes of Tadic, Pelle, KWP, Romeu, Armstrong and even Van Dijk. There's value to be had if you can find it it's the finding it that has been problematic lately.

[VectisSaint]

16 hours ago, Saint86 said:

Don't forget Smallbone who Ralph has mentioned in numerous pressers as someone he's missing! 

Haven't forgotten Smallbone, who I think looked like he was becoming a decent player. But can we risk relying on him coming back soon from injury,, look what happened when we relied on McQueen  (heaven forbid that Will has similar issues to Sam). Also I'm not convinced Smallbone is cover for Romeu, seems to be much more of an AM. 

[Sweet dee]

Agree with some of the other comments here about diallo, think he looks a decent player, full pre season and a bit more game time and I think he'll come good, certainly don't feel its a position we need to be overly concerned about strengthening compared to other areas 

[Uncle Albert]

17 hours ago, gammon cheeks said:

Smallbone is nice and tidy player but lacks physical presence ....We need another Wanyama in my opinion .

Can’t we just get Smallbone to chuck some tyres about as a more cost effective option?

Edited 14 June, 2021 by Uncle Albert

[Smirking_Saint]

On 12/06/2021 at 05:35, harvey said:

Starting quality that has minimal attacking ability.....not that impressed with Diallo tbh, one or two nice moments but few and far between and way too easily bullied off the ball.

He's a young player thats technically proficient and isn't really there to provide attacking quality considering we play the double pivot

I like him, has something about him and feel like he has plenty to offer. Of course he isn't a guaranteed starter right now, but he is good enough for back up

[Chez]

10 minutes ago, Smirking_Saint said:

He's a young player thats technically proficient and isn't really there to provide attacking quality considering we play the double pivot

I like him, has something about him and feel like he has plenty to offer. Of course he isn't a guaranteed starter right now, but he is good enough for back up

Agreed. He's a Kante, that can drive forward on occasions, but in essence a destroyer/water carrier. Not seen him live yet, but what I have seen is a player that has the potential to be very good indeed. We shall see how that pans out.

[davefizzy14]

http://sportwitness.co.uk/southampton-interested-signing-weeks-joining-saints-option-player-summer/

[itchen]

11 hours ago, Fitzhugh Fella said:

Searching the bargain bin only works if you find that elusive bargain. Not sure we have the manager or the scouting set up to do that anymore. Armstrong was a lucky dip. 

So buying poor players is down to our scouting and manager but buying good players is entirely down to luck. Sounds fair.