OptiNews - Friday 24 to Thursday 30 March 2017

Southampton Football Club
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Sourced from Daily Star article

Liverpool star wanted by Premier League rivals and Serie A giants: Jurgen Klopp could sell

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The 27-year-old Liverpool defender is currently on loan at Crystal Palace until the end of the season. Sakho was binned by Kop boss Jurgen Klopp after a string of discipline issues. But he has been impressing at Palace since he moved to Selhurst Park in January.

Sakho has now started three games on the trot and Sam Allardyce’s side have kept clean sheets in each one. The former Paris St-Germain star is still under contract at Anfield until 2020 and the Reds want around £20m for any permanent deal in the summer. Saints are bracing themselves for the loss of star defender Virgil van Dijk in the summer and see Sakho as a potential replacement. But they face competition from Italian side Napoli.

Meanwhile, Saints midfielder Oriol Romeu says he has no interest in rejoining Barcelona. Romeu has been linked with a return to the Nou Camp despite making just one start for the Spanish giants in his previous stint there before leaving in 2011. But he said: “Being linked with the club is always something nice but, luckily, I’ve been at Chelsea and Barcelona and haven’t played and I don’t want to be there again.

“I’ve been at Chelsea and Barcelona and haven’t played and I don’t want to be there again” “I’m feeling very happy here and I won’t give this away. “The club has given me a massive welcome since the beginning, signing a new contract in January, and this support and confidence they have given me is something that no one has done before. “I feel very pleased for that and I wouldn’t say I’ve just stopped here, I’m very pleased with what they’ve done for me and I just want to give this love back.”

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Sourced from Mirror.co.uk article

Big-money summer transfer set to take player FROM Liverpool TO Southampton

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The out-of-favour Liverpool defender has impressed during a loan period with Crystal Palace, with the Londoners keeping clean sheets in the three games he’s played.

However, Palace don’t have an option to buy in the agreement which will keep him at Selhurst Park until the end of the season.

And that has left a window of opportunity for the Saints — who sold captain Jose Fonte to West Ham in January and face a summer fight to keep in-demand centre-back partner Virgil van Dijk — to to make an offer Liverpool will find it difficult to refuse.

Eagles boss Sam Allardyce would love to keep the France international permanently, but the transfer fee is a massive stumbling block.

The Reds paid Paris Saint-Germain £18.5m for Sakho, who has not played for them since being sent home from a pre-season tour in the USA last summer for three breaches of discipline.

The 27-year-old was also investigated for an anti-doping violation but was subsequently cleared of any offence.

Watch — Sakho was sent home after crashing Klopp interview on Alcatraz:

Liverpool meanwhile, will fly Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino home on a private plane from Sao Paolo on Wednesday night, following Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Paraguay.

Manager Jurgen Klopp wants the key pair back and as refreshed as possible before for Saturday lunchtime’s derby showdown with Everton, and club co-owner John Henry will use his jet to ensure they are back in time.

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Sourced from Daily Mail article

Southampton eye move for Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho

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Southampton and Napoli are targeting Mamadou Sakho ahead of the summer transfer window as the defender prepares to bring the curtain down on his Liverpool career.

The France international is currently on loan at Crystal Palace but while they are paying the entirety of his £100,000 per week wages, there is no option in place for them to make his move to Selhurst Park permanent.

Southampton were keen on signing Sakho in January but failed to follow up their interest with a significant bid. Claude Puel, though, is an admirer of Sakho and would be prepared to keep him in the Premier League.

Puel, in all likelihood, will be looking for a replacement for Virgil van Dijk, who is the subject of intense interest from Manchester City and Chelsea.

Napoli are also candidates but it would take a bid in excess of £20million to sign Sakho, as he still has three years left on his contract and Liverpool are determined to recoup the money they paid to Paris Saint-Germain to sign him in September 2013.

Sakho has no future at Anfield, having fallen out of favour with Jurgen Klopp following a number of incidents connected to his discipline.

A more pressing concern for Klopp, though, is the Merseyside Derby - a game in which Sakho scored last season - and Liverpool will once again lay on a private jet to ensure Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho are back in time from South America to prepare for the game.

Firmino and Coutinho are scheduled to play for Brazil in the early hours of Wednesday morning and the private jet will enable them to be back in time for Liverpool’s training session on Thursday afternoon.

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Sourced from The Telegraph article

Southampton eye Mamadou Sakho as Chelsea-bound Virgil Van Dijk’s replacement

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Chelsea have moved into pole position in the race for Southampton centre-half Virgil Van Dijk, with the Saints considering Liverpool’s Mamadou Sakho as a replacement.

Van Dijk will be one of the most sought after players this summer with his club anticipating bids in excess of £50 million – which would eclipse any previous Premier League fee for a central defender. Southampton will certainly want more than the £47.5m Manchester City paid Everton for John Stones last season.

City are the most realistic rivals to the current league leaders for Van Dijk’s signature. He will have his pick of Premier League clubs but at this stage Chelsea are leading the chase for the Dutchman.

Chelsea are currently thriving under Antonio Conte with his preferred system of three centre-halves, a formation that would suit Van Dijk given his ability to play out of defence. With John Terry unlikely to be offered a new contract at Stamford Bridge, a top quality replacement is a priority.

Van Dijk has been absent since January with a foot injury and is struggling to play again this season. It could be he has played his game for the club as Southampton are already planning to fill the void when the 25-year-old departs. Chelsea’s Nathan Ake could head in the opposite direction. He is valued at £15 million.

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 28/03/2017 07:03:42

| | Chelsea lead race for £50m Virgil van Dijk as Saints hunt replacementIRISHINDEP |
|

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| Southampton Reportedly Want Mamadou SakhoSBNATIONTHELIVERPOOLOFFSIDE |
| | THISISANFIELD |
| | Transfer gossip: Chelsea continue to be linked with Van DijkWESTLONDONSPORT |
| | Southampton line up Sakho as Van Dijk replacement?SPORTSMOLE |

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Sourced from Daily Echo article

Caceres finally has sights set on Southampton debut

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MARTIN Caceres could finally make his Saints debut against AFC Bournemouth on Saturday.

Fellow centre-back Maya Yoshida will have travelled more than 14,000 around the world while on international duty with Japan and will likely be rested for the Cherries’ visit.

That means fresh legs Caceres, who has been building up his fitness further at Staplewood under the careful watch of Claude Puel, is pushing to start alongside Jack Stephens, as Saint begin a run of three games in a week.

Yoshida, who will begin his trip back to the south coast after Japan’s World Cup qualifier against Thailand today, rarely plays immediately after long international trips - although has never previously had such a prominent role as he does now at Saints.

Caceres, the former Juventus and Barcelona man, has been at Saints for six weeks now, having signed as a free agent in mid-February to bolster the ranks after the injury to Virgil van Dijk and the departure of Jose Fonte.

The central defender has played two full games for the club’s under-23s against Chelsea and Manchester United and, after coming through those unscathed, was declared ready for action by Puel.

Prior to the 2-1 defeat at Tottenham last time out, the St Mary’s boss said: “I’m pleased with his progression and the attitude of Martin.

“He played the last two games with the under-23s against Chelsea and Manchester United, which was important for him.

“He is available and he now comes in with the competition between the centre-backs.”

With Puel unlikely to keep the same team throughout the coming flurry of matches, which will see Saints play three games in a week, the 29-year-old is fully expected to get some playing time.

Caceres has been working up to full fitness having not played in anger for more than a year on his arrival at St Mary’s.

The last competitive first team game he played was back in February 2016, when he ruptured his Achilles tendon during Juventus’ 1-0 win over Genoa in Serie A.

Puel has been monitoring his progress carefully and believes he is ready for frontline duties, although has been waiting for an opportune moment to deploy his new man.

With Yoshida and Stephens proving capable during a good run of form, which saw his side win back-to-back away matches in the Premier League, Puel saw little need to disrupt their partnership.

But, after a quiet March, Saints hit a busy period in April and, as a result, the French boss will be looking to make the most of his squad.

For the first time in eight weeks, Puel’s men play at St Mary’s against Cherries on Saturday and then lowly Crystal Palace next Wednesday (April 5), before travelling to West Bromwich Albion on April 8 as the Premier League campaign enters its final couple of months.

As such, Puel is likely to temporarily reinstate some rotation to the team and that, it is thought, will include bringing in Caceres for his debut.

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

:trophy:

#OnThisDay seven years ago, #SaintsFC lifted the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, at Wembley Stadium: https://grabyo.com/g/v/cGrq0Jesesv

Retweets: 13

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Sourced from Daily Star article

Chelsea favourites to make record signing: Deal could trigger £15m exit

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Van Dijk, 25, was enjoying an impressive season for the Saints before he suffered a foot injury in January.

His performances have seen him linked with a move to one of the Premier League’s big boys over the past few months.

And The Telegraph expect him to be one of the most sought after players when the transfer window reopens this summer.

They claim Chelsea are currently in pole position to complete a deal for the Dutchman.

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

It’s the final day of action for #SaintsFC’s internationals! Find out who is involved and when: https://cards.twitter.com/cards/rh0us/3v6nk

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The Ugly Inside News for Southampton

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| Just Who Is Leading The Chase For Virgil Van Dijk ? | If you believe the media then one of the greatest chases in history is taking place right on our doorstep in … 28-03-2017 |

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

Will you be #InThatNumber with us? :innocent:

#SaintsFC’s 2017/18 Season Tickets go on sale next Tuesday at 9am:… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/846651831514251264

Retweets: 1

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Sourced from Daily Star article

£50m Chelsea raid, Liverpool defender swoop, Man United talks, Arsenal exit wanted

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Chelsea are reportedly leading the race to sign Southampton star Virgil Van Dijk. Van Dijk, 25, has been linked with a move to one of the Premier League’s big boys over the past few months. And, according to The Telegraph, it is the Blues who are currently in pole position to complete a deal for the Dutchman. They suggest the Saints could demand in excess of £50m for their star defender.

Meanwhile Starsport can reveal Southampton are eyeing Liverpool outcast Mamadou Sakho as a potential replacement for Van Dijk on the south coast. The Frenchman has impressed for Crystal Palace since joining the club on loan for the remainder of the campaign in January. Sam Allardyce’s side have not conceded a single goal in the three games Sakho has started since his arrival. He is under contract at Anfield until 2020 and the Reds will demand around £20m to let him leave on a permanent deal.

Manchester United are reportedly in talks over a deal to sign American teenager Will Vint. According to the Daily Mail, Vint, 15, impressed coaching staff while on trial with the club earlier this month. The midfielder is the son of Everton academy director Peter Vint. He has previously had trials with the Toffees and Fulham.

Finally, Arsenal midfielder Ismael Bennacer wants Arsene Wenger to let him go out on loan again next season. Bennacer, 19, joined French side Tours until the end of the campaign in January. “I’d like to go back out on loan, but I’m going to go over things with Wenger in May, and it’ll be up to him to decide,” the Algeria international told C’est Vous L’Expert, as quoted by La Gazette du Fennec. “Personally, I’d really like to go out on loan because at my age, I need to get as much game time as I can and not ask myself too many questions.”

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

:ticket: New Family Area
:ticket: 2,000-plus seats cheaper
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Be #InThatNumber with #SaintsFC in 2017/18: http://sfcne.ws/201718SeasonTix

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 28/03/2017 10:04:18

| | Chelsea lead race for £50m Virgil van Dijk as Saints hunt replacementIRISHINDEP |
| | Chelsea, Liverpool & Virgil Van Dijk linked in set of transfer rumours101GREATGOALS |
| | Southampton star linked with Italian giants | FutnSoccerFUTNSOCCER |
| | Liverpool news and transfer updates - LIVEGOLIVERPOOL |
| | Villa digest: Steve Bruce’s transfer update; Blues clash latestBIRMINGHAMMAIL |
| | Report: Southampton plot club-record bid for Liverpool’s Mamadou Sakho, months after Puel dismissed moveHEREISTHECITY |
| | Last chance: Puel must give these 2 Southampton players another opportunity to shine | | Where football transfer …THETRANSFERTAVERN |

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The Ugly Inside News for Southampton

New content from (- The Ugly Inside News for Southampton)

| Caceres Likely To Make Debut Against The Cherries | Martin Caceres could finally make his first team debut for the club when they take on Bournemouth at St Mary’s on … 28-03-2017 |

Older content…

| Just Who Is Leading The Chase For Virgil Van Dijk ?10 hours ago |
| Next Three Games Will Define Claude Puel’s Seasona day ago |
| Virgin Media Subsidise Ticket Prices For Trip To Chelseaa day ago |
| Tadic Linked With Arsenal And Three European Giantsa day ago |
| How Much Do Saints Players Earn ? Read Here And Be Surprised3 days ago |
| Nathan Redmond On Premier League Player Of The Month Shortlist4 days ago |
| New England Duo Show Saints Are Getting It Right !4 days ago |
| Bournemouth Game Nearing Sell Out5 days ago |
| Jeremy Pied Returns To Training5 days ago |
| Rail seating licensed in League One and Two7 days ago |

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 28/03/2017 11:04:32

| | Summer shortlist: Virgil Van Dijk to LiverpoolROUSINGTHEKOP |
| | Chelsea move into pole position in the race for Virgil van DijkFOOTBALLLONDON |

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Blogs – Fresh Saints

New content from (- Blogs – Fresh Saints)

| Southampton youngster Gallagher in high demand | According to the express, Sam Gallagher will prove to be a wanted man this summer, with Aston Villa reportedly … 28-03-2017 |

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

We hope you’re enjoying the day, @simsjosh12! :tada: #saintsfc

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

:four: days to go!

Rickie Lambert was at the double from the spot when #SaintsFC met #AFCB back in 2010: https://grabyo.com/g/v/uq7GaQZ38fD

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