x

Leeds Sources Claim Che Adams Move To Elland Road Is On

The media in Leeds are claiming that Che Adams is close to moving to Elland Road after Saints named their terms for a deal, but how accurate is that.

The Yorkshire rumour mill is in meltdown with so called "Reliable reporters" suggesting that Leeds United have agreed terms with Saints for Che Adams to join the Championship club.

They say that Saints are demanding a £1 million loan fee and a option to buy in the summer at £10 million.

But with Ralph Hasenhuttl reported as wanting to keep Adams, why would Saints sell now and why at such a loss if the deal should be made permanent in the summer.

The facts are that although Adams hasn't scored this season he hasn't played badly he had a great game at Chelsea on Boxing Day and after coming on as a sub at Leicester set up the winner for Danny Ings.

With Saints currently in a little bit of No Mans Land in the Premier League where they are only a few wins from safety and if they got those wins sooner than later could amazingly enough be in with a chance of a European Qualification place, getting rid of Adams makes no sense.

Although we have four strikers in Ings, Long, Obafemi and Adams with an option to play Djenepo up front, it is still a line up that could suddenly be stretched to the limits, Long, Djenepo and Obafemi have all had their injury problems this season and Danny Ings has yet to have a bad spell.

This means that Adams could yet have a part to play this season and it seems Ralph Hasenhuttl feels the same way after his displays in recent games.

Certainly he will be looking towards next season for Adams to play bigger part, Shane Long has forced his way back as first choice, but he will turn 33 in the next week or so and is no longer a 38 game a season striker, he will be out of contract and although Saints may well offer him a new deal, he may also prefer to get one last pay day with a move after 6 seasons at St Mary's.

So selling Che Adams now does not seem to be a wise move for Saints unless they have something up their sleeve in the January transfer window as a replacement, selling him on the cheap without really giving him the chance to prove himself seems short sighted as well.

I hope that this is just agents talk trying to push a move forward, certainly all the noise is coming from the media who will be getting their information from agents.

Football clubs rarely brief the pres until a deal is done and they certainly don't reveal the financial details before pen is put to paper, that is a sure way to upset the other club involved.

With Eddie Nketiah being recalled by Arsenal and Leeds promotion bid stalling with only one win in their last six Championship games, they will be keen to avoid a repetition of last season when after looking odds on favourites for promotion at Xmas they faded badly.

Therefore this could be more about PR for Leeds, trying to show their fans they are ambitious and are trying to add to their squad and if they fail to do so it won't be for the lack of trying.

I would be shocked and disappointed if this deal went ahead not only from a footballing point of view, but aslo because we have cut our losses cheaply far too soon on a player who has shown he has the potential to succeed at this level.

What to read next:

Southampton 0 - 1 Stoke City - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Saints V Stoke City A Look Back In Pictures 2
In the second part of our pictorial look back at some of our games against Stoke City from the past, here we look back at more recent games, so most of you would have been at them.
Saints V Stoke City A Look Back In Pictures
We have looked through our photo archives for a look back as some games against Stoke City over the years, what are your memories of these games ?
Southampton V Stoke City The Preview
Saints go into the last two games of the season with their hopes of automatic promotion ended, even the hope of finishing 3rd is only a point away from being ended, but they do have something to play for and that is getting back the togetherness, character & fight Russell Martin has recently be moaned.
No Togetherness No Character No Fight
Not my words, but those of Southampton manager Russell Martin, who should ask himself the question why two months ago we had all those attributes and now we don't !
Southampton At Leicester The Debacle
The big question is how can a side that was so tight at the back, so clinical up front and who could pass the ball around almost with their eyes closed, become the disorganised rabble that they were at the Leicester City this evening.
Southampton Side Announced For Leicester Game
Russell Martin has revealed his side for the game against Leicester City, find out what surprises he has for Saints supporters this time out.
Southampton At Leicester City The Preview
Saints travel up to Leicester knowing that it is almost certain that they will just be in the play offs come the end of the season, however there is still the feint hope of 3rd place to play for, however the Foxes are playing for a bigger prize.
A Rough Guide To Leicester City FC
Saints head up to Leicester City this evening with their automatic promotion hopes just about over, so for the 3,000 fans who bought their tickets when there was hope here are the details.
Southampton At Cardiff City The Verdict
There can be no excuses for this defeat, a loss that effectively means that it will be a play off spot and not an automatic promotion place for Southampton, so where did it all go wrong.