OptiNews - Friday 13 to Thursday 19 January 2017

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Sourced from Daily Echo article

Puel talks Sakho and Fonte transfers

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CLAUDE Puel has revealed that there is a “possibility” Saints will buy another central defender if wantaway captain Jose Fonte departs St Mary’s.

But that player is unlikely to be Liverpool’s outcast centre-back Mamadou Sakho at this stage, with Puel dismissing a proposed move for his compatriot as “speculation”.

Reports have been widespread that Saints have had a loan bid rejected for the 26-year-old, with the Anfield outfit instead holding out for a whopping £20m for the French international.

“I know this player [Sakho], but I know nothing about this [transfer], its speculation,” said Puel. “We have a reflection about this possibility to see another centre back if Jose Fonte left the club.

“For the moment it’s not the situation and perhaps we will stay with the same squad, with good opportunities for Jack Stephens or [Florin] Gardos.”

Fonte has trained “with good spirit” with Saints in recent days, but Puel reiterated that the captain “has different possibilities” to leave St Mary’s, with West Ham frontrunners for the Portugal international’s signature.

The St Mary’s chief also didn’t rule not delving into the transfer window at all this month for a defender, even if Fonte were to exit.

Puel was unwilling to be drawn into details of his 33-year-old skipper’s departure, but admits the situation could change soon.

“I cannot make a comment about this,” he said. “Jose has different possibilities. He has the solution and the opportunity to see this, and we will see what the situation is in a few days.

“For the moment I cannot comment on Jose.”

The French boss is willing to look to other options within Saints’ current squad if a new centre back is not forthcoming in the transfer window.

“We will see after the situation of Jose," he said. "For example we tried Jack (Stephens) against Norwich.

“It’s important to see possibilities for different players and opportunities for the players. We will see.

“We stay with a reflection about this, but perhaps we will stay with the same squad because Jack is an England under-21 player and we have also [Florin] Gardos, who came back with the under-23s.

“We will see this when we reflect [on the situation]."

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

Catch up on the key talking points from #SaintsFC manager Claude Puel’s pre-#LCFC press conference: https://grabyo.com/g/v/hIab9d8EaaF

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 19/01/2017 20:12:07

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| West Brom Lodge Bid For Southampton Star But He Prefers West Ham MoveINSIDEFUTBOLCOM |
| | This swap deal could be perfect for Southampton and West Bromwich AlbionHEREISTHECITY |
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| Odds suspended on shock Fonte move to struggling West HamNEWSLADBROKES |

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

“They are a strong team. They will want to counter-attack against us.”

#SaintsFC’s Claude Puel on #LCFC: http://sfcne.ws/PuelPreLCFCH

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Sourced from Sky Sports article

West Ham poised to sign Jose Fonte from Southampton

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West Ham are close to agreeing a deal to sign defender Jose Fonte from Southampton, according to Sky sources.

Talks continued on Thursday and a fee of £8m is being discussed for the 33-year-old, who helped Portugal to Euro 2016 glory last summer.

Fonte has been at Southampton since 2010, having joined from Crystal Palace, but expressed his desire to leave the club earlier this month.

Southampton manager Claude Puel confirmed at his press briefing on Thursday that Fonte could depart.

“Jose has different possibilities,” said the Saints boss. "He has the solution and the opportunity to see this, and we will see what the situation is in a few days.

“He was in training this morning with the players and he works normally with good spirit, and like a professional.”

Southampton have lost their last four Premier League games and Puel admits the speculation regarding Fonte’s future has been a distraction.

“This situation with Jose is difficult for the squad,” Puel said. "It’s difficult for him also.

"It’s not just about this market; it’s been since the beginning of the season.

"It’s been a difficult situation for Jose because he’s always in discussions with the club, about contracts, or no contracts.

"I took a decision at the beginning of this window to keep Jose out the team, to study different possibilities, and to protect the team from all this speculation about Jose.

“With this many games it’s important to keep focused about our game, not just on the situation of Jose. It’s difficult, but the squad can take the responsibilities.”

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Sourced from Mirror.co.uk article

West Ham closing on £8million Southampton skipper

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West Ham are close to agreeing an £8million deal for Southmpton’s wantaway captain Jose Fonte.

Hammers boss Slaven Bilic saw the club’s first bid of £7million rejected but they have gone back with an improved offer which is likely to get the go-ahead.

Mirror Sport first revealed West Ham’s interest in the 33-year-old centre half and Bilic also appears to have beaten off late interest from West Brom.

Manchester United and Everton were interested previously but have not come back this time and Fonte will get a deal worth around £65,000-a-week.

It is a huge boost for Bilic as he looks to bolster his defence and the Euro 2016 winner is a big addition.

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Sourced from talkSPORT article

Southampton transfer news: Claude Puel dismisses Mamadou Sakho speculation

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Claude Puel has dismissed as “speculation” reports linking Southampton with a move for Liverpool’s Mamadou Sakho.

And Puel insisted that should Jose Fonte leave, after requesting a transfer, a replacement may not be recruited because Jack Stephens and Florin Gardos will be given the opportunity to succeed the captain in central defence.

It has been reported Southampton consider Liverpool’s out-of-favour Sakho as a potential successor to Fonte, 33, but that a loan bid had been rejected and that only a permanent transfer would be granted.

When asked about the 26-year-old Liverpool defender, however, Southampton’s manager responded: "I know this player but I know nothing about this, it’s speculation.

"We have a reflection about this possibility to see another centre-back if Jose Fonte left. For the moment it’s not the situation, and perhaps we will stay with the same squad, with good opportunities for Jack Stephens or Gardos.

“It’s a long time with a lot of injuries for Gardos, but he came back for the Under-23s before this game (against Norwich in the FA Cup) with a good level and we will see if we just have Jack (Stephens) and Florin, or you might see another player if Jose Fonte leaves Southampton.”

Puel was also asked about reports of Fonte potentially joining West Ham, and he said: "Jose has different possibilities. He has the solution and the opportunity to see this, and we will see what the situation is in a few days.

"(Fonte) was in training (on Thursday) morning with the players and he works normally with good spirit, and like a professional.

"We will see after the situation of Jose. We tried Jack against Norwich. It’s important to see possibilities for different players and opportunities for the players.

“Perhaps we will stay with the same squad. We will see this when we reflect.”

Southampton on Wednesday kept a clean sheet in their 1-0 FA Cup third-round replay defeat of Norwich, when England Under-21 international Stephens was given a rare start in central defence.

On Sunday they host Leicester in the Premier League, in which they hope to end a run of four straight defeats. The manager will again rotate his team as they begin another demanding run of four fixtures in nine days, but he will again overlook his influential captain through a concern his players may become distracted should he play.

“This situation with Jose is difficult for the squad,” Puel said. "It’s difficult for him also. It’s not just about this market; it’s been since the beginning of the season.

"It’s been a difficult situation for Jose because he’s always in discussions with the club, about contracts, or no contracts.

"I took a decision at the beginning of this (transfer) window to keep Jose out the team, to study different possibilities and to protect the team from all this speculation about Jose.

“With this many games it’s important to keep focused about our game, not just on the situation of Jose. It’s difficult, but the squad can take the responsibilities.”

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 19/01/2017 21:12:37

| | Claude Puel on Southampton interest in Liverpool FC defender Mamadou SakhoICNORTHWALES |
| | Virgil van Dijk set to reject Everton in favour of summer move to Manchester City – City WatchCITYWATCH |
| | Southampton manager Puel speaks out on Fonte futureFOOTBALLLONDON |
| | Rumour Mill: Chelsea reject £10m bid; Spurs’ striker snub - TEAMtalk | Latest Football News & Transfer RumoursTEAMTALK |
| | Rumour: West Ham poised to sign Jose Fonte from Southampton within 24 hoursSQUAWKA |

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

Fresh from captaining #SaintsFC against #NCFC, @MayaYoshida3 is the cover star of SAINTS on Sunday! Order now at… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/822194423446446081

Retweets: 5

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Sourced from Daily Star article

Southampton transfer update: This is the latest on potential Liverpool and West Ham deals

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The Saints are reportedly considering a move for the Reds’ out-of-favour defender as a potential replacement for Jose Fonte. Fonte is being heavily linked with a £8m move to West Ham and Puel could swoop for Sakho this month with him being put up for sale by Liverpool. But when asked about the 26-year-old centre-back, the Southampton boss said: "I know this player but I know nothing about this, it’s speculation.

“I know this player but I know nothing about this, it’s speculation” "We have a reflection about this possibility to see another centre-back if Jose Fonte left. "For the moment it’s not the situation, and perhaps we will stay with the same squad, with good opportunities for Jack Stephens or Florin Gardos. “It’s a long time with a lot of injuries for Gardos, but he came back for the Under-23s before this game [against Norwich in the FA Cup] with a good level and we will see if we just have Jack and Florin, or you might see another player if Jose Fonte leaves Southampton.”

Puel was also asked about reports of Fonte potentially joining the Hammers, saying: "Jose has different possibilities. "He has the solution and the opportunity to see this, and we will see what the situation is in a few days.

"He was in training this morning with the players and he works normally with good spirit, and like a professional. "We will see after the situation of Jose. We tried Jack against Norwich. It’s important to see possibilities for different players and opportunities for the players. “Perhaps we will stay with the same squad. We will see this when we reflect.”

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Sourced from ESPN FC article

West Ham agree fee to add Jose Fonte from Southampton - sources

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West Ham United have agreed an £8 million fee with Southampton for unsettled defender Jose Fonte, sources close to the Hammers have told ESPN FC.

Fonte’s future has been the subject of intense speculation all month after he handed in a transfer request at Southampton after failing to agree a new deal at St Mary’s.

Fonte, who has made 288 appearances for Southampton, was in the final 18 months of his contract and sources said Saints have reluctantly agreed to let him move on during this month’s transfer window.

A number of clubs had expressed an interest in the Portugal international, but West Ham, after seeing an initial offer for Fonte rejected earlier this month, have returned with an £8m bid which has been accepted.

The 33-year-old and his representatives are now set to hold talks with West Ham and sources said the London club are hopeful of finalising a move for Fonte in the next 24 hours.

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic is keen to bolster his defensive options with Angelo Ogbonna, Winston Reid and James Collins his only recognised central defenders at the club, and he sees Fonte as being a key addition to his plans.

Asked on Thursday about reports of Puel joining West Ham, Southampton boss Claude Puel said: “Jose has different possibilities. He has the solution and the opportunity to see this, and we will see what the situation is in a few days.”

"[Fonte] was in training [on Thursday] morning with the players and he works normally with good spirit, and like a professional.

"We will see after the situation of Jose. We tried Jack against Norwich. It’s important to see possibilities for different players and opportunities for the players.

“Perhaps we will stay with the same squad. We will see this when we reflect.”

Puel also said the transfer market has made it difficult for him to prepared to host Leicester in the Premier League on Sunday.

“This situation with Jose is difficult for the squad,” Puel said. "It’s difficult for him also. It’s not just about this market; it’s been since the beginning of the season.

"It’s been a difficult situation for Jose because he’s always in discussions with the club, about contracts, or no contracts.

"I took a decision at the beginning of this window to keep Jose out the team, to study different possibilities and to protect the team from all this speculation about Jose.

“With this many games it’s important to keep focused about our game, not just on the situation of Jose. It’s difficult, but the squad can take the responsibilities.”

Information from Press Association Sport was used in this report.

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Blogs – Fresh Saints

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| Jose Fonte and Southampton FC: the fairy tale that’s come to a crashing end | Ugh. We’re here again. In this current moment it’s looking increasingly likely that Jose Fonte will complete his … 19-01-2017 |

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Sourced from talkSPORT article

Revealed! Every Premier League club ranked by their net transfer spend since 2012/13 season

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TOTTENHAM PUT MAN CITY TO SHAME – READ ALL ABOUT THE STORY BEHIND THE PREMIER LEAGUE GIANTS’ NET SPEND

It’s money that does most of the talking in the Premier League.

We’re hit with huge transfer fees in each window, as the value of players continues to soar.

But which clubs have been the heavy spenders of recent years and whose business has put their rivals to shame?

Scroll through the gallery above to find out each Premier League club’s net transfer spend since the 2012/13 season.

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Sourced from Daily Echo article

Sholing to host friends of Maya Yoshida on Saturday evening

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SHOLING will be bringing a flavour of the Far East to the Universal Stadium on Saturday evening (January 21).

Following on from the first team’s big Sydenhams Premier Division showdown at home to league leaders Moneyfields (3pm), a Boatmen’s under-18 side will host Japanese visitors Kagoshima United in an international friendly (7.15pm).

A J3 Japanese League side, Kagoshima initially had hopes of playing a Saints academy/development team. They are friends with the Premier League club’s Japan defender Maya Yoshida.

They are visiting the city as part of a trip, organised by the Football Samurai Youth Academy, to commemorate the first Japanese students coming to the UK just over 150 years ago.

The 19 Satuma students arrived in Southampton from Kagoshima on a steamship named The Australian in 1865.

Admission for the evening match is £3 adults, £2 concessions and £1 under-16s. Programmes £1.

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 19/01/2017 22:13:22

| | So much for Man United: Jose Fonte looks to be headed for West Ham101GREATGOALS |
| | Saints boss Puel responds to Mamadou Sakho speculation - TEAMtalk | Latest Football News & Transfer RumoursTEAMTALK |
| | Strange Fonte situation nears end as West Ham close inNBCSPORTS |
| | Claude Puel dismisses Mamadou Sakho speculationBELFASTTELE |
|

| Claude Puel cagey on Jose Fonte future as Southampton captain edges closer to West Ham switchIBTIMES |

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Gallery: Firing up for the Foxes

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

Check out some of the key stats and facts ahead of #SaintsFC’s clash with #PL champions #LCFC this Sunday: http://sfcne.ws/StatsLCFCH

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Read Southampton

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| Fonte set for West Ham medical tomorrow | Southampton defender Jose Fonte is set to undergo a medical at West Ham tomorrow to complete a move to the London … 19-01-2017 |
| Cheltenham looking to loan Olufela Olomola | Cheltenham Town are plotting a loan swoop for Southampton youngster Olufela Olomola. According to an exclusive … 19-01-2017 |

Older content…

| Saints and the Sinners: Our Fallen Captaina day ago |
| Van Dijk to hold out for summer City movea day ago |
| Puel keen to bring in Sakho before Fonte salea day ago |
| Jose Fonte set to complete £8m move to West Hama day ago |
| Jose Fonte agrees deal with West Brom, but will reject thema day ago |
| Fiorentina plot Gabbiadini swoop amid Saints interesta day ago |
| Fonte in advanced negotiations with West Hama day ago |
| Spurs the latest to join the chase for Fontea day ago |

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 19/01/2017 23:13:31

| | How much do YOU think these West Ham transfer targets should be worth?FOOTBALLLONDON |
| | Puel: Fonte exit could be sealed ‘in a few days’ - TEAMtalk | Latest Football News & Transfer RumoursTEAMTALK |
|

| Southampton’s Fonte closes in on £12m West Ham switchGOALDOTCOM |
| | Rumour Mill: Chelsea’s £12m demand; Man United U-turn - TEAMtalk | Latest Football News & Transfer RumoursTEAMTALK |
| | Southampton forward linked with move to Cheltenham TownGLOUCESTERSHIRECITIZEN |
| | What do Southampton need in the January transfer window?REALSPORT101COM |
| | Liverpool Reportedly Turn Down Offer, Want £20m Instead | FutnSoccerFUTNSOCCER |

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Sourced from Daily Star article

Super computer reveals every Premier League club’s chance of winning this weekend

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THE Sky Sports Premier Predictor has worked out every team’s chance of winning this weekend.

The Premier Predictor works by allocating ranking points based on teams’ performances - taking into account the difficulty of the opposition, home advantage and the margins of victory.

So will Tottenham beat Manchester City? How certain are Chelsea to beat Hull? Will Stoke get a result against Manchester United?

CLICK THROUGH THE GALLERY ABOVE TO FIND OUT.

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