Goodbye Jose and......

I'm sure the big sides look at players at all the clubs, but I suspect they pay particular attention to Southampton as we have a reputation for bringing on players. However, not all of them have transferred well to other clubs.

 

They also trust our scouting ability and can reasonably assume that if we sign a player then they're going to be a success. It's a good point because I wouldn't see a team like Liverpool buying Mane for £12m from Salzburg. They've paid over twice that now that they know he's Premier League quality, and I think he will be a big success for them. It just means that Southampton fans sit by the conveyor belt and watch players come and go, some capture hero status and it makes it more difficult when they leave.

 

Remember when we signed Ramirez and he was heavily linked to Liverpool aswell? There are so many players who are young and promising who come over to the PL and don't perform that it makes sense for clubs who can afford the £30m+ player (and who also have the name so the player will be interested in doing all they can to move) to wait and get the player later.

 

I think Mourinho sees the Man Utd dressing room as short of leadership, those "big characters" in the dressing room. He's talked about Zlatan's positive influence, attitude and experience already and I would think he sees Fonte as someone who can play to a good standard and can also be the same sort of presence in the dressing room and on the training ground.

 

Sky said that Saints say Jose not going anywhere and there have been no offers for him....I would be happier if they said the first bit of the sentence without adding the second.

 

Jose's not going anywhere.

Did that help?

 

Les said "No way Jose".

 

Probably been waiting years for the chance to say it.

 

Basically going to go down to who wants it more. Fonte or Saints.

 

The guy's a pro. If we put our foot down, he'll come round.

A trophy at Wembley, back to back promotions, his Euros medal, the prospect of captaining Saints in the Europa this season...that's not a bad career. I reckon he'll see that eventually. Maybe we should dump his agent into the docks though. Just to send a message.

 

His agent is the most powerful agent out there, which is the problem. Like you said I hope he changes his tune.

 

ManU may want Fonte, but he isn't as desirable as for example Mane. How high will they go to get an older player who isn't the greatest in the world (however much we love him). The agent only has the power that his client gives him....in the final countdown to the end of the window, the only power he has is to get an offer we can't turn down...will United offer that for Fonte? Do we believe that Fonte will turn difficult and not play if he doesn't get that move....of course we don't. If he goes, it will be because Saints are content with the money and if they can get a replacement in time. Clocks ticking.

 

The same betting site that priced Rudi Garcia 1/2 to succeed Koeman has Fonte at 5/2 to join United and 4/9 to stay put. Take from that what you will.

 

But the 'when' could be in 5 years time, after a testimonial season, and a Premier League, Champions League and FA cup treble (for the second year in a row). Well, I can dream, can't I?

 

Maybe we should play the agent.

"OK billy big balls, you're the super agent, so prove it. You want your man to get his big deal, get your phone out and put a very good CB on the table for us. Use your contacts and make it happen. Don't do that, we don't even talk"

Jeez, Ralph needs to meet me!

 

Confusion?

 

See that Fonte isn't in the squad photo with the new partnership on the Official Website?

 

Was taken when they were in America.

 

I'm assuming it was taken in America when they were over there for pre season, is Cedric in the photo?