Stoke City Fear That Saints Will Hijack Record Transfer Deal !
Stoke City are getting the jitters as they close in on what would be their record signing, as they fear Saints are lurking.
A month or so ago Saints were linked with West Bromwich Albion's Saido Berahino, back then it was denied and the rumour went quiet, now though with Albion having just about secured West Ham's Diafra Sakho, it looks like Berahino will be joining Stoke City, or will he ?
Stoke seem to feel that they are just about there with a bid of £20 million topping that which other contender Crystal Palace are offering, however they feel that Saints are lurking and could not only outbid them but with Europa League football on offer, be a far more attractive package to the player.
Local media in the Potteries is running with the story and they seem to feel it has some substance.
But is this a case of Saints coming in on the rails or is it the players agent trying to stir up either a move to Saints for his client or a better deal for him whether it be Stoke or any other team.
Certainly Berahino would fit the type of player Saints will be interested in to replace Mane, but there are questions over the players attitude and he seems to have gone along the same path as Victor Wanyama did for saints last season, both of course were famously "unsettled" by Tottenham Hotspur last summer, Berahino on his day can be brilliant, but that day was few and far between for the Baggies last term, managing only 4 goals in 31 Premier League appearances compared to 14 the previous season.
It is certainly a transfer that would excite Saints supporters though !
What to read next:
RIP Martin Chivers A Southampton FC LegendMost football supporters of a certain age will remember the name Martin Chivers, but the majority will recall him for his time at Tottenham Hotspur and also playing International football for England, but he was born in Southampton and played a big part in Saints rise in the 1960's.
Southampton Still In For Italian MidfielderSaints will be hoping to make a few changes in the transfer window, to get off some high earners such as Joe Aribo, as well as other players who will bring in a decent fee such as Sam Edozie that will enable them to bring in new faces.
FA Cup Rule Change Could Work Against SouthamptonThere has been a change of the FA Cup rules this season and such is the way Saints luck is going this season, it could well send them to an early exit from the competition at Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.
A Rough Guide To Doncaster RoversDoncaster Rovers Eco- Power Stadium was opened in September 2007 and this will be our 3rd visit, the previous 2 being in 2008 & 2011, so for those who have never been before, here is all the information you need about as the locals call it "Donny"
Southampton At Middlesbrough The VerdictThere is absolutely no way to dress this up other than this was a game that for a long period we controlled and then we collapsed into a disorganised rabble, to throw the game away in 15 second half minutes.
Southampton At Middlesbrough The PreviewSaints have taken just 3 points from their last 5 games in the Championship, Boro themselves are struggling and are on a poor run that has seen them drop out of the automatic promotions spots. Can Tonda turn the tide for Southampton.