Transfer Rumours JANUARY TRANSFER THREAD

Weirder things have happened.

 

Ralph confirmed that Davo could go to rangers in the next couple of days.

 

Also added that Gabbiadini could be off in a couple of days/weeks

 

I actually missed the player name for that one. Changed tabs and it muted itself . was hoping somebody would mention who it was.

 

Alex crook said we are open for offers for Wesley Hoedt. Hopefully we can shift him this month.

 

I'd imagine the whole footballing world would be interested in Werner at £40m. Can see Liverpool doing a similar deal like they did with Keita and his release clause, agree a fee now that is higher and let him stay at RBL until the summer.

There is about a 0.0000001% chance Werner ends up at Saints.

As for this window I guess we are in the same situation as always where we need to sell before we buy, not only for ££ reasons but also due to squad size. We must be near the 25 limit already and that doesn't include any of the players out on loan.

Off the top of my head

McCarthy
Gunn
Forster
Cedric
Bertand
Hoedt
Vestergaard
Yoshida
Targett
Stephens
Bednarek
JWP
Lemina
Hojbjerg
Davis
Romeu
Ely
Redmond
Armstrong
Gallagher
Ings
Austin
Long
Gabbiadini

Unless I have missed anyone then that is 24 that are over 21 so need to be registered. Sounds like Davis and Gabbi are moving on so we are down to 22. Sims and Hesketh have returned and Hesketh would need to be registered, unsure on Sims as he is 21 now, turns 22 in March so I think that means he does as well. That would put us back to 24 if they were to be registered. We could leave Forster out completely as Lewis doesn't need to be registered this year and could be number 3, which would again put us down to 23 with 2 spaces available.

In the summer we then have 7 more players returning from loan who would need to be registered if they wanted to play at Saints next year (Boufal, Clasie, Carrillo, Reed, Seagar, Jones and McQueen). Just shows how bloated our squad is really and if Ralph wants to bring in a half dozen or so of his own players over the next couple of windows then we need to be shedding over ten of our current squad (including loanees)

 

Who’s Alex Crook?, and how does he know?

 

He's a journalist, seems to go to quite a few presses.

 

Nothing was mentioned about Hoedt at today’s presser, but there might be more in the embargoed section tonight.

 

I watched the same presser, but like you say.. They are likely to know more than us.

 

Ralph Hasenhüttl's comments on transfers in today's press conference...


A lot of talk around Steven Davis going to Rangers. What's the latest situation with that?
The fact is that he has half a year of contract here, so what we want to give him is a chance to make the next step. If there's a possibility, we will help him to do so. I think he has done a lot for this club and if we find a good solution then we have a win-win situation for both.

Could that happen in the next few days?
It can be. I'm looking forward and if it is, then we will tell you.

And Gabbiadini, there's reportedly a lot of interest in him. What's the situation with him?
I know that there are a few interested. The fact is that our squad, at the moment, is too big. We have to sell players and he is one that other clubs are interested in. So it can be that in the next weeks or days, it can happen that he will get transferred, yes.

You said the squad is too big so does that mean you'll be happy just to sell some players and not actually buy anyone new?
No. We also see that there are a few problems we have in our squad, which means that for my kind of football and my kind of philosophy, in a few positions I need more speed. I need more running quality and therefore we will need also to sign new players. What we will do now is at first, look that the big squad is getting a bit smaller and then we'll have a look if we find players who help us to move our deficits away.

Have you been told you will be able to sign the players you want in this window?
We are open minded. We have our eyes open. We know that in the winter period it's not so easy to find transfers that really help you. If we do something, it must be also for the future. It doesn't help us if we focus on the short-term of what we are facing. We need to face the longer-term, although we need it now. I think it only makes sense if it helps us for a longer period, so it should be a player that is not too old and fits perfectly in the philosophy. Then it can be possible that we will do something, yes.

 

Maybe give Sims a chance on Saturday.

 

Yes, was wondering that. Surely Ralph will want to see Sims.

How has Sims been at Reading? Anyone know?

 

Not made many starts as they have 40 players and never found a first choice team, just constant rotation. He went there to get experience and he isn't getting it. He got as many apps there as he did in half a year for us after he came back from injury.

 

Think Ralph should have shouted the bit about needing to recruit players for the long term who suit our style...so many fans think you just get a player in because you need someone in that position regardless of other factors. We don't need to make any more mistakes....we 're trying to sort out ones we have already made. By all means pursue a player we want if he is available...remembering this is a notoriously difficult window....but it has to be someone we hope will play for a few seasons (unless we polish them and cover them with sequins for Liverpool ).

Whilst I hope that Ralph gets players he wants, I have confidence that he will keep us up with his new improved versions of players we have.

 

Anything over £50 would be good.

 

Ralph is clearly adopting the Liverpool setup, midfield three who are all good on the ball and mobile and with lots of energy, e.g wijnaldum, Keita, Fabinho... two pacy attacking mids in Salah and Mane and a mobile striker who will drop deep and also run in behind but who is good on the ball - Firmino.

As it is, we have Hojb, Lemina, Rom as the mobile midfield three. Romeu needs to up his stamina otherwise that’s ok but maybe can be improved on with JWP/new recruit if Lemina is unfancied. Redmond is sorted, Armstrong was shattered from about 50 mins onwards vs Chelsea so I’m yet to be convinced he suits the high press/formation, although he has been playing well. And ings up front is sorted.

We all know the issues with defence.

 

Also part of the press at every saints home game.

 

Is that inclusive of VAT?