James Ward-Prowse

[James G]

On 22/06/2023 at 14:49, CSA96 said:

Exclusive from Independent - Fulham in for JWP: https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/southampton-james-ward-declan-rice-fulham-manchester-city-b2362372.html

- JWP prefers to sign for Fulham than West Ham
- He sees them and Marco Silva as a better fit for him
- He's already knocked back Brentford, who made an enquiry

Yes, Fulham would be a better fit, harking back to what I said before. But he might stay too.

You all say it all the time, he's a good player but he has his flaws. 

[Chez]

4 hours ago, James G said:

Yes, Fulham would be a better fit, harking back to what I said before. But he might stay too.

I wonder why he turned Brentford down? Presumably they were offering less money than we will be paying him in the Championship. Or perhaps he sees a move to a bigger club (Spurs, West Ham or whoever) as still being realistic? 

Edited 27 June, 2023 by Chez

[Dman]

2 minutes ago, Chez said:

I wonder why he turned Brentford down? Presumably they were offering less money than we will be paying him in the Championship. Or perhaps he sees a move to a bigger club (Spurs, West Ham or whoever) as still being realistic? 

I wonder if we'd actually agree to not reduce his salary, if he agrees to stay for 1 more season..? Probably one of maybe 2 players who don't deserve a wage reduction and you'd expect we should be able to afford it with the big earners we'll inevitably shift. 

I think Brentford are one of the lowest payers in the league - that being said, I'm not sure JWP would move based on money alone..?

[Chez]

34 minutes ago, Dman said:

I wonder if we'd actually agree to not reduce his salary, if he agrees to stay for 1 more season..? Probably one of maybe 2 players who don't deserve a wage reduction and you'd expect we should be able to afford it with the big earners we'll inevitably shift. 

I think Brentford are one of the lowest payers in the league - that being said, I'm not sure JWP would move based on money alone..?

Not sure we can afford to pay him 60% of his salary never mind 100%.

Not surprising Brentfoord are low payers, as it take a a few years before everyone is on proper Prem money and I suspect they are very careful with their money and wouldn't be offering him anywhere near the £100k+ a week we reportedly pay him. Money will be a factor. He aint moving to Brentford for less money than he can get with us in the Championship, but being in the Prem will also carry some weight of course. In the end, he'll get both the money and the Prem status.

[Charlie Mealings]

Lavia and Ward-Prowse are entering the hottest market for no. 6s in years: Bellingham, Rice, Caicedo, Lavia, Tonali, Phillips, Kovacic and Ward-Prowse. All the top clubs are in. But while Lavia has completely disrupted the market, the skipper's prospects feel really slim. The change in fortunes over 12 months is wild. Wrote a bit about this here:

 

https://www.statemarys.com/p/starboy-and-the-skipper-destinations

 

Glad to have this done cos the Rice deal feels like it's coming to a close. After that you'd expect the other dominos to start falling.

[Sussex_saint]

The club's starting to kick out promo videos of players arriving at staplewood for Training - Alcaraz, JWP and Che...

[Saint Garrett]

2 hours ago, Charlie Mealings said:

Lavia and Ward-Prowse are entering the hottest market for no. 6s in years: Bellingham, Rice, Caicedo, Lavia, Tonali, Phillips, Kovacic and Ward-Prowse. All the top clubs are in. But while Lavia has completely disrupted the market, the skipper's prospects feel really slim. The change in fortunes over 12 months is wild. Wrote a bit about this here:

 

https://www.statemarys.com/p/starboy-and-the-skipper-destinations

 

Glad to have this done cos the Rice deal feels like it's coming to a close. After that you'd expect the other dominos to start falling.

Rice looks like its done to Arsenal. Kovacic gone to City, Caceido in talks with Chelsea, Bellingham and Tonali both have gone. Sounds like Phillips is staying at City for now. 

All the top clubs apart from seemingly City, want Lavia, so will be interesting how much they want him, or whether they'll let him return to City next summer. for a bargain fee.

West Ham will now be on the hunt for 2 CM's it seems, probably Palhina from Fulham, which might be why JWP is being linked with Fulham.

The merry-go-round has started!

[Saint86]

2 hours ago, Saint Garrett said:

Rice looks like its done to Arsenal. Kovacic gone to City, Caceido in talks with Chelsea, Bellingham and Tonali both have gone. Sounds like Phillips is staying at City for now. 

All the top clubs apart from seemingly City, want Lavia, so will be interesting how much they want him, or whether they'll let him return to City next summer. for a bargain fee.

West Ham will now be on the hunt for 2 CM's it seems, probably Palhina from Fulham, which might be why JWP is being linked with Fulham.

The merry-go-round has started!

West ham could do a lot worse than Lavia to be honest - They're in Europe, flush with cash, and he should be able to step into their midfield and shine. We could also let him go there with a sell on fee knowing full well that there is a good chance of a profitable move in another 3-5 years. Ultimately we know that Lavia won't be at saints long term, whereas JWP might still end his career here - so out of the two i'd cash in on Lavia and keep Prowsey. Plus we also know that JWP is likely to play a lot more minutes than Lavia this season, and his free kicks may well prove invaluable. 

Edited 28 June, 2023 by Saint86

[pimpin4rizeal]

I’m starting to now wonder maybe he will stay, some of our media stuff like pictures with Martin with (our captain) getting the hopes up maybe. But unless he gets a really top offer he might be better staying here., no other club will treat him as the poster boy like we do, he’s probably not gonna make England team either.. is it worth leaving the god like status he will have if he stays for some mediocre prem club  ?

if he was to join a West Ham and it doesn’t work out his career could drop of pretty fast .. not the easiest decision 

Edited 28 June, 2023 by pimpin4rizeal

[hypochondriac]

7 minutes ago, pimpin4rizeal said:

I’m starting to now wonder maybe he will stay, some of our media stuff like pictures with Martin with (our captain) getting the hopes up maybe. But unless he gets a really top offer he might be better staying here., no other club will treat him as the poster boy like we do, he’s probably not gonna make England team either.. is it worth leaving the god like status he will have if he stays for some mediocre prem club  ?

if he was to join a West Ham and it doesn’t work out his career could drop of pretty fast .. not the easiest decision 

I think he will almost certainly go to the hammers but I do think it's a bit of an own goal from the club to be focusing on him fairly heavily if he ends up going. They must have a pretty good idea of what's going to happen to him. I'm surprised there haven't been some itk leaks. Someone must have spoken to him. 

Edited 28 June, 2023 by hypochondriac

[waylander]

Fee agreed for Rice to Arsenal so we will find out soon enough if W Ham want him.

[skintsaint]

14 minutes ago, waylander said:

Fee agreed for Rice to Arsenal so we will find out soon enough if W Ham want him.

Arsenal had their pants pulled down there.

[Saint Garrett]

2 minutes ago, skintsaint said:

Arsenal had their pants pulled down there.

Cracking business from WH, got it done early too. Surprised Arsenal didn’t wait a bit to push price down. 

[Raging Bull]

18 minutes ago, Saint Garrett said:

Cracking business from WH, got it done early too. Surprised Arsenal didn’t wait a bit to push price down. 

It does make you wonder if there’s more than a little substance to this. Seems off to me. 
 

 

[Chez]

4 minutes ago, Raging Bull said:

It does make you wonder if there’s more than a little substance to this. Seems off to me. 
 

 

sounds like utter drivel to me. Man City ain't intentionally helping Arsenal by putting a `fake' bid in. Absolute bollocks. Pep can't just ring up Arsenal and make a bid. City will have targets and plans that they have formulated over months. This ain't the days of Brian Clough doing deals and then letting his chairman know afterwards. Pep won't even be involved in bids for players. She is talking shite.

[Osvaldorama]

39 minutes ago, skintsaint said:

Arsenal had their pants pulled down there.

You think? Rice is an absolutely wonderful CM. It’s probs a bit too expensive but they need a CM badly and he’s one of the best in the league. I can see him shining in a better team. 
 

 

[Maggie May]

2 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

I think he will almost certainly go to the hammers but I do think it's a bit of an own goal from the club to be focusing on him fairly heavily if he ends up going. They must have a pretty good idea of what's going to happen to him. I'm surprised there haven't been some itk leaks. Someone must have spoken to him. 

Damned if they do include JWP in videos, damned if they don’t. 

[hypochondriac]

Just now, Maggie May said:

Damned if they do include JWP in videos, damned if they don’t. 

I don't think they'd be damned if they don't include him as much. If they know he's off it would make sense to feature him less prominently. It's not like there's a load of fans who don't expect him to be sold. 

[Chez]

27 minutes ago, Osvaldorama said:

You think? Rice is an absolutely wonderful CM. It’s probs a bit too expensive but they need a CM badly and he’s one of the best in the league. I can see him shining in a better team. 

he's a monster of a player. He's gonna give Arsenal that power that Viera gave them. Massive hole for West Ham to fill. They were looking at Alvarez from Ajax, but he seems Dortmund bound. Do they have better options than JWP?

[Crab Lungs]

Rice is awesome and playing in a better team I think you’ll see the aspects of his game that is under utilised at West Ham come to the fore.

[SaintBobby]

Rice is fantastic. I'd argue England's best player. In old school language, he is "engine room" but so much better than that. God knows if they are paying over the odds, but this is a brilliant player.

[Saint Keef]

Well. if West Ham do come calling for JWP, they apparently have over £100m sloshing around. Just like when we sold Van Dijk etc, other clubs know you have the money and the price for your target invariably goes up. 

(Phone call to Saints)...."Hello, West Ham here. We're interested in your Ward-Prowse chappy"  (Reply) "Is that the same West Ham that just sold your Rice chappy for, let me see, one hundred and five million pounds?"  (Reply) "Yes, that's right"  (Reply) "Fine. Shall we start negotiating at £80m. That would still leave you a very tidy £25m in the bank".......

I jest of course, but please feel free to complete the conversation. 

[pimpin4rizeal]

3 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

I don't think they'd be damned if they don't include him as much. If they know he's off it would make sense to feature him less prominently. It's not like there's a load of fans who don't expect him to be sold. 

Exactly this .. seing pictures with him and Martin with the tags our boss and our captain is making me think hmm maybe ..if the club know he’s going there’s no point causing disappointment.

but trying to think from his perspective if he leaves he gets premiership football  but he will be having to sacrifice being the poster boy and main man. We absolutely persisted with jwp it wasn’t until hasenhuttl that he really became a decent player.. down to him if he wants to just be in the premiership or a total Southampton legend 

[hypochondriac]

5 hours ago, pimpin4rizeal said:

Exactly this .. seing pictures with him and Martin with the tags our boss and our captain is making me think hmm maybe ..if the club know he’s going there’s no point causing disappointment.

but trying to think from his perspective if he leaves he gets premiership football  but he will be having to sacrifice being the poster boy and main man. We absolutely persisted with jwp it wasn’t until hasenhuttl that he really became a decent player.. down to him if he wants to just be in the premiership or a total Southampton legend 

Even Adam Blackmore was suggesting at least the possibility of it on twitter and I'd wager he knows a fair bit more than the average person given that he speaks to jwp regularly. They must surely have had some sort of informal chat that wasn't broadcast? I've been saying he's off for a while but the recent club stuff makes me start leaning towards him staying. 

[Kenilworthy]

6 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Even Adam Blackmore was suggesting at least the possibility of it on twitter and I'd wager he knows a fair bit more than the average person given that he speaks to jwp regularly. They must surely have had some sort of informal chat that wasn't broadcast? I've been saying he's off for a while but the recent club stuff makes me start leaning towards him staying. 

I really thought JWP was bound to leave. But perhaps he is having doubts having seen that the realistic options are not as attractive as he hoped for? Yes Fulham and West Ham will put him back in the Premier League and on more money but they are not really taking him to the higher level that a move to say Spurs would have done.

[egg]

Just now, Kenilworthy said:

I really thought JWP was bound to leave. But perhaps he is having doubts having seen that the realistic options are not as attractive as he hoped for? Yes Fulham and West Ham will put him back in the Premier League and on more money but they are not really taking him to the higher level that a move to say Spurs would have done.

I've said before that the issue for him is who'd want him and play him. If his choice is Fulham or say a promoted club, is there any point in going? I fancied him to go to Chelsea early on but there's been no noise about that, then West Ham or Villa but seemingly they're looking elsewhere. Will be interesting to see what happens. 

[Sunglasses Ron]

All recent events have told me if that a departure isn't immediately forthcoming.  It's not even July yet, so anything can happen in the next two months or so.

Gut feel is that he'll be off if any established / top 10 team go for him, and I don't think anyone would begrudge him that (assuming the fee was right).

On the flip side, no-one can doubt his commitment to Saints and that's why he's still featuring prominently.

Definitely a case of carry on as normal unless told otherwise I'd say.

[hypochondriac]

11 minutes ago, Kenilworthy said:

I really thought JWP was bound to leave. But perhaps he is having doubts having seen that the realistic options are not as attractive as he hoped for? Yes Fulham and West Ham will put him back in the Premier League and on more money but they are not really taking him to the higher level that a move to say Spurs would have done.

I think West ham have to be attractive given they have European football (albeit a second rate competition.) If he doesn't go to them for whatever reason then it's only really Newcastle that he may have some chance of moving to. Any teams below that can't offer European football and other than villa probably have at least a chance of going down again and maybe switching places with us. If I were him I would at least think about giving us a season. If he went up playing attractive football with us he really would cement his status as an sfc legend and that's got to be worth more than a decent season at Fulham. 

This could all be silly speculation person by the end of the week when he's gone to join Marco Silva but I do think the club certainly aren't acting like he's off soon. 

[John B]

35 minutes ago, Kenilworthy said:

I really thought JWP was bound to leave. But perhaps he is having doubts having seen that the realistic options are not as attractive as he hoped for? Yes Fulham and West Ham will put him back in the Premier League and on more money but they are not really taking him to the higher level that a move to say Spurs would have done.

He is not good enough for Spurs or other top clubs

[ErwinK1961]

Rice to JWP is a chunky downgrade. And that’s no offence to JWP, Rice is just levels above.

I don’t see JWP as a first choice replacement for Rice, I can only see him going there if they don’t get one of their priority targets (like Alvarez) and end up down the list.

Outside of that, Fulham seems the only other realistic shout. Can’t see them stumping up the cash for him. Brighton maybe, but doesn’t fit their transfer model at all (they could sign some unknown for pittance and they’ll slot in seamlessly).

As for wages, he was on £100k p/w, if the wage drop is correct then he’s on around £60k p/w. Will a Fulham be spending £100k p/w on wages for JWP? Not sure. Will be down to how much he wants to play Prem football.

[Ken Tone]

11 minutes ago, John B said:

He is not good enough for Spurs or other top clubs

He's a better player than Hojberg and he was good enough for spurs. They're not even a really top club 

Don't understand the constant running down of JWP on here. 

[goodymatt]

I wouldn’t be surprised if Fulham offered a sensible transfer fee and could beat the wages he was on at Saints last season. They have higher record fees than us I think. Question would be if Prowsey wants to go there. As I’ve said before, it would be sad to lose our 20 year relationship, captain and Mr. Southampton to a historical yo-yo club that’s been in the top flight one season. I don’t think they will be battling relegation next season though, but you never know!

[ErwinK1961]

2 minutes ago, goodymatt said:

I wouldn’t be surprised if Fulham offered a sensible transfer fee and could beat the wages he was on at Saints last season. They have higher record fees than us I think. Question would be if Prowsey wants to go there. As I’ve said before, it would be sad to lose our 20 year relationship, captain and Mr. Southampton to a historical yo-yo club that’s been in the top flight one season. I don’t think they will be battling relegation next season though, but you never know!

According to the ever reliable internet, their highest paid player is Leno on £90k. Mitrovic £80k. Palhinha £50k. He’d be their highest paid player by some distance if he got more than he was on here. I can’t see it

[goodymatt]

1 minute ago, ErwinK1961 said:

According to the ever reliable internet, their highest paid player is Leno on £90k. Mitrovic £80k. Palhinha £50k. He’d be their highest paid player by some distance if he got more than he was on here. I can’t see it

He’s be their top earner then, that’s surprising given the money they spent the last 2 PL seasons. Fair enough!

[goodymatt]

1 hour ago, hypochondriac said:

Even Adam Blackmore was suggesting at least the possibility of it on twitter and I'd wager he knows a fair bit more than the average person given that he speaks to jwp regularly. They must surely have had some sort of informal chat that wasn't broadcast? I've been saying he's off for a while but the recent club stuff makes me start leaning towards him staying. 

[Weston Super Saint]

6 minutes ago, ErwinK1961 said:

According to the ever reliable internet, their highest paid player is Leno on £90k. Mitrovic £80k. Palhinha £50k. He’d be their highest paid player by some distance if he got more than he was on here. I can’t see it

Not really.

He's now on 60k (if the 40% drop is accurate).

Moving to Fulham or anywhere else for 80k per week still gives a "pay rise" from what he is on right now.

Not sure why there is an insistence that he has to be above £100k. Other teams will know what his wage is NOW and only have to beat that....

£60k per week is still a livable wage I'd guess....

[david in sweden]

54 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

I think West ham have to be attractive given they have European football (albeit a second rate competition.) If he doesn't go to them for whatever reason then it's only really Newcastle that he may have some chance of moving to. Any teams below that can't offer European football and other than villa probably have at least a chance of going down again and maybe switching places with us. If I were him I would at least think about giving us a season. If he went up playing attractive football with us he really would cement his status as an sfc legend and that's got to be worth more than a decent season at Fulham. 

This could all be silly speculation person by the end of the week when he's gone to join Marco Silva but I do think the club certainly aren't acting like he's off soon. 

IF  he's still on 100K /week, it's not a question of a  lot more money, BUT If he wants to move ..just in order to stay in the Prem. then any club            below the top 6  would mean he'd become " just another Prem. midfielder " (like Maddison) in a mid-table club who won't be playing in a Euro competition next season , and is hardly likely to advance his England  career beyond the occasional friendly game, and knows that he will never            get off the bench in a major tournament squad.

After having moved to Arsenal for 100 million ...Rice will have cemented his England place for a few years, but I must admit that like the last                  100million player (Grealish) I am not overly impresses by either of them, and the footballing media will lambaste Gareth Southgate if he dares                  to leave either of them out of an England squad.

IF ... Prowsey does stay on with Saints - even for another season - he will (like MLT) attain " club legend " status for loyalty, or just the fact                    that he enjoys living on the South Coast and not need to uproot his family for no good reason. 

Edited 29 June, 2023 by david in sweden

[M271]

7 hours ago, SaintBobby said:

Rice is fantastic. I'd argue England's best player. In old school language, he is "engine room" but so much better than that. God knows if they are paying over the odds, but this is a brilliant player.

I’ve never thought of Rice as a star player and often watch an England match and don’t notice him. Mind you I have thought that about many ‘star’ midfield players over the years including Bryan Robson that people raved about but as you say they maybe the engine room of teams. When Saints have played West Ham I’ve never thought omg we’ve got to play against Rice.

Edited 29 June, 2023 by M271

[santolijador]

Feasibly I reckon he could play a few games for us in the Championship before a club like West Ham, Fulham or even one of the bigger teams who miss out on the midfielder glut this summer (Liverpool come to mind with their sketchy recruitment in the last couple of windows) and begin to panic toward the end of August. This might also drive the fee up. 

If he can guide us through a couple of those early fixtures, I'd be pleased. 

I'd also like to think if we do get off to a good start, RM uses him well, he might think that winning a few games this year on the way to a promotion might actually be fun and worth a year of the reported 40% salary drop etc. I guess one of the big things is whether he personally thinks that he can get into Euros reckoning by playing prem. 

Was Grealish ever in the England set up when Villa were in the Champ or nah?

[Daft Kerplunk]

If it is only teams like Fulham interested in JWP, and there is a very good indication that we could return to the prem in one year, then perhaps JWP could stay. If one of the bigger clubs on the verge of doing better like Newcastle come in, then he'd probably not be likely to turn it down.  But as others have said, these were also the players that got us relegated so are not that great or strong of character.  Shit managers yes, but the team has had a weak mentality for years for whatever reason.  That, plus some signings are needed to put quality, and importantly, some grit in this team.  It would be great if our better players saw that going up in a year was possible, and wanted to be part of that.  Big summer without question. 

[Sunglasses Ron]

1 minute ago, Daft Kerplunk said:

If it is only teams like Fulham interested in JWP, and there is a very good indication that we could return to the prem in one year, then perhaps JWP could stay. If one of the bigger clubs on the verge of doing better like Newcastle come in, then he'd probably not be likely to turn it down.  But as others have said, these were also the players that got us relegated so are not that great or strong of character.  Shit managers yes, but the team has had a weak mentality for years for whatever reason.  That, plus some signings are needed to put quality, and importantly, some grit in this team.  It would be great if our better players saw that going up in a year was possible, and wanted to be part of that.  Big summer without question. 

Yeah, this remains the big concern in my head with JWP.  How much of our weak mentality was on him as captain?

I guess I'm pretty apathetic about whether he stays or goes, but on reflection, it would be sad to see such a long-serving player depart and it would be cool if he helped us back up next season.  That for me would cement his status as a player on a similar footing to MLT and SRL. 

[LeBizzier69]

Did he have a relegation wage clause in his contract? I'm sure i saw somewhere that he didn't.....which i'm assuming means he stays on his PL wages? Not that i expect anyone to be privy to the finer detail of a player's Ts&Cs!

[skintsaint]

I said previously that maybe he might give us till Jan to see where we are at. But a good offer from a good club would change that thinking. I don't think he would leave for someone like Fulham.

[Saint86]

8 minutes ago, LeBizzier69 said:

Did he have a relegation wage clause in his contract? I'm sure i saw somewhere that he didn't.....which i'm assuming means he stays on his PL wages? Not that i expect anyone to be privy to the finer detail of a player's Ts&Cs!

This keeps popping up. Nothing has been said about JWP having or not having a relegation wage clause. What was said was that he didn't have a relegation release clause. Entirely separate things.

I think it was rumoured that he has a highest earner clause, and presumably (if he has a relegation wage clause) he'll have a promotion wage clause - so he'll likely be fairly well protected on the wages front whatever happens. Whether his lifestyle can accommodate a 20-40% drop in wages, who knows?!?

Its been said before, unless he needs the money or is offered European football, i think he'll give saints another 6months-12months to see how we're doing in the champ.

His england career is likely gone without joining a top club and playing regularly, so his choice might basically be between becoming a potential Southampton legend (staying and getting promotion) or playing in a lower half prem club he has no affinity to.

Edited 29 June, 2023 by Saint86

[Saint Garrett]

Who knows. I thinks it's one of those that he'd be happy to go if its the right offer, but also happy to stay and cement his place in Saints folklore. I certainly don't think he'll be pushing to move like others have done in the past. It will also probably depend on conversations he's had with Southgate, as to whether he has any chance of being part of the England squad for the next big tournament. He's seems to have Bellingham, Rice, Phillips, Maddison, Gallagher, Mount, Henderson, possibly also Trent / Willock / Ramsey in front of him at the moment, so maybe that will have a smaller affect than we originally thought.

It would not surprise me at all if he stays.

[LeBizzier69]

6 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

This keeps popping up. Nothing has been said about JWP having or not having a relegation wage clause. What was said was that he didn't have a relegation release clause. Entirely separate things.

I think it was rumoured that he has a highest earner clause, and presumably (if he has a relegation wage clause) he'll have a promotion wage clause - so he'll likely be fairly well protected on the wages front whatever happens. Whether his lifestyle can accommodate a 20-40% drop in wages, who knows?!?

Its been said before, unless he needs the money or is offered European football, i think he'll give saints another 6months-12months to see how we're doing in the champ.

His england career is likely gone without joining a top club and playing regularly, so his choice might basically be between becoming a potential Southampton legend (staying and getting promotion) or playing in a lower half prem club he has no affinity to.

Ah yes, it was the release clause i must have been thinking about.

As for his international career, i don't think there's any chance he'll be a regular or even squad member whatever he does. Southgate's policy of favourites has shown that form/playing regularly has almost no bearing on his squad choices. 

[Chez]

1 hour ago, david in sweden said:

IF  he's still on 100K /week, it's not a question of a  lot more money, BUT If he wants to move ..just in order to stay in the Prem. then any club            below the top 6  would mean he'd become " just another Prem. midfielder " (like Maddison) in a mid-table club who won't be playing in a Euro competition next season , and is hardly likely to advance his England  career beyond the occasional friendly game, and knows that he will never            get off the bench in a major tournament squad.

 

There is an underestimation of players desire to play in the top flight. JWP has played in the Prem his whole career. He regards himself as a Premiership player. He is pretty big name and has no reason to play in the Championship. It's `beneath' him at this point in his career if truth be told.

 

I also don't think JWP will require a move to a `top' club. Fulham came 10th last season. They may not be a glamour side, but neither were we. Obviously he will want to go to the best side possible, but if the money was right, I'm guessing it wasn't at Brentford, I'd of thought he would be interested in a move to almost any Prem side. I am not sure playing in Europe is the be all and end all. Playing in the Prem is more important than the Europa League.  

[Chez]

36 minutes ago, Saint Garrett said:

It would not surprise me at all if he stays.

Which will be dictated by the price tag we have put on him and our willingness to negotiate.

The noises seem to be that we have put high prices on our players and its then up to Prem sides if they think they are worth it, or perhaps that we are bluffing and will come down if other deals don't happen either.   

[Chez]

1 hour ago, santolijador said:

Was Grealish ever in the England set up when Villa were in the Champ or nah?

Nah. He first played for England in 2020. Villa played Prem in 2019/20 season.

[Dusic]

Featuring so heavily in pre season videos/kit launch etc is also an outward way of Saints showing that he is committed and not causing trouble and another message to clubs trying to knock down our price that from our perspective there is no need to comply with that.

Same as with Tella.

Pay what we want and pretty much any of these players will be gone, but unless they refuse to train or play, show bad attitude etc then we are happy to have them until that offer comes in.