Here we take a look at who we are being linked with and what the media is reporting about the various deals to distinguish what might happen and what is just paper talk.

As mentioned on another story according to the Dutch Media Saints have agreed terms with FC Twente for Dusan Tadic with the fee being reported as being between £9- 12 million for the attacking midfielder, on the scale of 1-10 the English media have got hold of this as well so the deal could well happen this week.

Another Eridivisie player linked with a move is Ronald Koeman's former club Feyenoord striker Graziano Pelle, the rumour mill is buzzing on this one although reports are saying that Saints initial bid of around £5 million has been rejected, the dilemma with Pelle is his age, therefore as good as he has been his track record is not great therefore the fee's offered for him will reflect this, Feyenoord will not be pressed to sell, if the deal is done then Saints will need to up their offer with the Dutch club looking for around £8-9 million, but could that be too much for a player who will turn 29 in two weeks.

Burnley's Danny Ing's is another striker who we have been linked with, there is an opportunity here to get Ings at a realistic price as he is out of contract in 12 months time and so far has showed no inclination to sign an extension, therefore Burnley could be looking to get a big fee now and be able to re invest that rather than see him walk out of the door in a years time for free. They are prepared to listen to offers of £8 million for Ings and its being reported that both Saints and Newcastle have had offers of this level accepted and can talk to the player.

Ings being a local lad born in Winchester and raised in Netley Abbey could be swayed by the chance to play for the club he supported as a boy, on this one Saints have to forget what he will be available for in a year and concentrate on his value now if e could get Ings at £8 million it would be a coup and we should remember we got Jay Rodriguez from the same club for a similar fee and what a bargain that would turn out to be.

These are the first three names to be linked to Saints with something more than just two and two being put together due to either Ronald Koeman's Feyenoord connections or the fact that every agent in the World knows we have some money to spend.

There do however remain several other names in the spotlight not least Celtic's Virgil Van Dijk, like Danny Ing's Saints initially seem to be in competition with Newcastle for the player but reports suggest that Saints have the spending power now to outbid the Toon Army for his signature.

Certainly again the factor could be Ronald Koeman who could swing his countryman preferring Saints to the North East, Van Dijk signed for Celtic a year ago for £2.6 million from Groningen and the player who will turn 23 next week could be obtained for around £10 million as long as we dont get embroiled in a bidding war.

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slynch added 10:24 - Jul 2 Lallana, Shaw and Lambert were bought for a couple of mill and a tube of Smarties and have now been sold for 60 mill; Saints can out-buy the clubs around them (which seem to be run on some kind of amateur basis by comparison). The top six are buying the above players who only managed 8th last year. Saints can be logically be expected to improve their position this year. 2nd by Xmas?

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ExiledSupporter added 10:54 - Jul 2 Certainly like the sound of Tadic, though Pelle sounds a little expensive...at a price that we wouldn't be likely to recoup (or more, as in the case of Lambert) Have also seen reports of our interest in Giudetti from Man City, while much younger he too may be something of a gamble on recent track record. The future of Osvaldo needs to be sorted asap either we re-integrate him (difficult to imagine) or we dispose of so we have a better idea of our available cash and the slots we have to fill to advance from last year's position. Let's not forget that before all the Shaw, Lallana and Lambert disturbance we all thought we needed a second keeper (Marshall please) another central defender (Van Dijk sounds very promising) a No. 10 (if we still can't get Ramirez to play properly, and having watched his minor performances for Argentina I think he is perhaps not that well suited to high pressure/fast paced northern European type of games) maybe Tadic is the man; plus a speedy wing man on the right (Zaha...since Ince seems to be going to Hull!) Key now is to secure the incoming targets and put a stop to the potential departures, specifically Lovren and Schneiderlein (and Cork) and Rodrigues with a demonstration of our determination to hold on to our best...they will all be worth significantly more in a couple of years in any case. This will be the real test of Reed's and Krueger's 'fine' words

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law101 added 11:30 - Jul 2 If we can hold on to Lovren, Spider and JRod, plus bring in Tadic, Pelle then I still think we could have the basis of a very competitive squad...Perhaps stronger. Lose any or all of the above and we start entering into complete rebuilding territory and I would really worry for us. I still think we need another CAM, a quick/ tricky winger, perhaps another two strikers, CB, LB and a GK.

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pintsizedsaint added 13:48 - Jul 2 Law101 - completely agree. Plus it just starts to set a dangerous precedent that we continue to be a feeder club for the bigger clubs. Losing RL, AL and LS is OK - but if you cut too deep then it puts the foundations at risk. Trouble is, i suspect Lovren and Morgan want out and will be 'enthused' with AL's tactics. Time for SFC to dig in.
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davepid added 20:48 - Jul 2 re-sign Guly, thats what I say
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montecristo added 14:04 - Jul 3 Clutching at straws somewhat I feel, these deals are taking far too long, does anybody at St Marys know what they are doing? I am simply dismayed by the likes of Les Reed and Krueger, the idea that we are suddenly going to sign eight top players seems laughable right now. There is no credibility about the club whatever and I fear we are in a very black period indeed. I just wish Liebherr would sell the club and be gone she is not for us , period.

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