The Automatic Saints News Thread

Hmm, doesn’t look like we’ve caught “Caught Offside”. Will look into it tonight. Want to see how the cycling works first.

Sourced from Sports Mole

Man Utd eager to seal Schneiderlin move?

Manchester United have been tipped to sign midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin from Southampton by the end of next week.

The Reds Devils reportedly saw a £20m bid for the Frenchman rejected by the Saints on Thursday.

Southampton are believed to want in excess of £25m for the 25-year-old.

United are now expected to up their offer and sign Schneiderlin before they embark on their pre-season tour of the USA later this month, according to The Mirror.

Schneiderlin joined Southampton from Strasbourg in 2008 for £1.2m.

Sourced from Daily Mail

Daniel Levy arrives in Spain hoping to complete Toby Alderweireld deal

Sourced from Daily Mail

Everton and Southampton chasing £10m Dennis Praet from Anderlecht

Originally posted by @Optimus-Trousers

Sourced from Daily Mail

Daniel Levy arrives in Spain hoping to complete Toby Alderweireld deal

This one annoys me more than the Spider-Man one! Anyone who goes to Spurs it not really taking a great step up the career ladder. Chelsea, Man U, Man City, Arsenal and unfortunelty Liverpool (but only because the sheer size and history of the club), I believe would be the only massive career move in England/UK.

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Sourced from Daily Star

Tottenham lead the race for top Southampton target Toby Alderweireld

The Mirror claim Atletico Madrid have cancelled their agreement with the Saints which would have allowed Ronald Koeman to snap up the defender for a set fee.

Instead, the Spanish outfit will now sell to the highest bidder.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy could splash the cash to land the 26-year-old.

It’s understood that Southampton had agreed a £6.8m fee last summer if they wanted to keep the defender permanently.

Sourced from Stretty News (Weblog)

Report: Robin van Persie agrees personal terms with Fenerbahce Stretty News | Manchester United Blog

According to Jamie Jackson of the Guardian, Robin van Persie is edging closer to a move to Fenerbahce after reaching an agreement in principle with the Super Lig side.

After arriving at United in 2012 and winning the Premier League title in his first season, van Persie never fully found the form he had under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Most fans were of the opinion that appointing Louis van Gaal as manager would not only see United improve but also help the Dutchman rediscover his eye for goal.

The Guardian report claims that former Fenerbahce and Liverpoool winger Dirk Kuyt has been key in convincing van Persie to make the move having spent three seasons in Istanbul.

Nani is also on his way to Fenerbahce where both are expected to link up again, albeit in a different country let alone club. The Turkish side finished the Super Lig in second place last season and booked a place in the Champions League play-off round.

If reports are accurate this morning regarding James Wilson being a target for Steve Bruce at Hull City, United ought to be wary of losing too many strikers and not bringing any in.

Sourced from The Hard Tackle

Report: Under Pressure Manchester United To Submit Improved Offer For Morgan Schneiderlin

We’ll, it’s safe to say Man U are interested in Morgan Schneiderlin, then.

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Sourced from talkSPORT

Manchester United transfer news: Deal agreed for Dutch ace and improved offer for French star is imminent

Manchester United are looking to strengthen their side and mount a serious title challenge this season with targets from La Liga making the headlines.

The Red Devils have been waiting for Real Madrid to approach David De Gea for weeks, but Louis van Gaal is standing his ground, demanding something in return from Los Blancos.

Interest in an Atletico Madrid star has surfaced, with the player wanting a move to the Premier League, but to United’s rivals Chelsea.

Having already been dealt a blow with target Ilkay Gundogan agreeing a new two-year deal at Borussia Dortmund, the Red Devils were also reportedly interested in new Liverpool duo Roberto Firmino and Nathaniel Clyne before their move to Anfield.

But who is on the Dutchman’s radar? And who is deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford?

Click the yellow arrow above, right, to see all of the latest Manchester United transfer rumours…

Optislax could well make 90% of threads in the other place redundant. :laughing:

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Sourced from Football 365

Manchester United are set to improve their offer for Morgan Schneiderlin

Manchester United will table an improved bid for Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin after their initial £20million bid was rejected, according to reports.

The Red Devils have added just PSV winger Memphis Depay to their squad so far this summer, but reinforcements look necessary in defence, midfield and attack as they look to build for their return to the Champions League.

Bastian Schweinsteiger is among the names who have been mooted as a potential target for the central midfield berth, but it appears Louis van Gaal will pursue his interest in French midfielder Schneiderlin.

United had an offer of under £25million for the 25-year-old rejected late last month, with Saints boss Ronald Koeman insisting just last week that the club have had “no serious bid” from their Premier League rivals yet.

Southampton are reportedly looking for closer to £30million for their long-serving Frenchman, who has expressed his desire to play Champions League football numerous times.

According to the Guardian, United will return with a second offer for Schneiderlin in the hope to reach an agreement with Southampton. The club believe that £25million will be enough to secure the player, with the midfielder himself keen to join.

Sourced from Squawka

Alderweireld’s future could be decided in next few days

Atletico Madrid’s Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld, could seal a move away from the Spanish club within the next week with Chelsea, Tottenham and Southampton all interested, as reported by the Daily Express.

The 26-year-old spent last season on loan at St.Mary’s and helped Ronald Koeman’s side finish eighth in the Premier League and exceed all expectations that had been placed upon the south coast club.

The Express now believe that the Saints would like to bring the star back to Hampshire and have the option do so for the fee of £6.8-million. However, the Spanish side could cancel that and sell him to either Chelsea or Spurs, which would actually wind up costing Southampton £1.5-million, as per the newspaper.

Atleti are set to decide on the player’s fate when Diego Simeone’s side return to pre-season training on Wednesday, as noted in the aforementioned source.

Reports: Daniel Levy to fly out to Spain to negotiate Alderweireld deal

Alderweireld had an exceptional season at Southampton last term, playing 26 matches in the league overall and winning 35 out of 67 tackles, the third highest amount of any defender at the club.

The Belgian international has played 37 times for his country and scored one goal. He has also played for Dutch giants Ajax, where he won the Eredivisie title twice and the KNVB Cup in 2010.

Toby Alderweireld had a 58% shot accuracy in the league last season, the third highest at Southampton.

Sourced from Metro.co.uk

It’s back on! Spurs’ transfer pursuit of European defender takes HUGE twist as negotiations collapse

Come home Toby…you know it makes sense. :laughing:

We are the team for you.

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Sourced from FootballFanCast.com

Tottenham hope to beat Southampton to signature of Belgian ace

The Daily Mirror are reporting that Tottenham Hotpsur have been given a huge boost in their hopes to beat Southampton to the signature of Atletico Madrid defender Toby Alderweireld.

Although the Belgian spent last season on loan at the Saints, Atletico are understood to have cancelled an agreement they had with the south coast club to sell Alderweireld for a set fee.

The Vicente Calderon outfit are now willing to sell the player to the club that offers the most money, a decision that will have alerted Spurs.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is now keen on taking advantage of the new developments by outbidding Southampton to land the 26-year-old.

Southampton originally struck a deal with Atletico to buy the versatile defender for a fee of around £6.8 million after the player joined the Saints in a loan deal last summer.

However, Atletico also had an option to annul that agreement by paying Southampton £1.5 million if they wanted to sell him for the highest bid, an option they have since taken.

Sourced from Daily and Sunday Express

Nathaniel Clyne wanted Manchester United move before joining second choice Liverpool

Despite being “delighted” to sign for Liverpool, The Guardian claim Old Trafford was the right-back’s preferred destination. Clyne became Liverpool’s sixth summer signing after moving to Merseyside from Southampton for £12.5million.

United reportedly considered a bid but opted against a deal, paving the way for Reds boss Brendan Rodgers to swoop for the England defender. Clyne is thought to have wanted Champions League football but was so intent on leaving the Saints he opted for his second choice club.

United could turn their attention to Everton’s Seamus Coleman in their own search for a new right-back. The Irishman is valued at around £20m by the Toffees and United could use Jonny Evans as bait for the 26-year-old. Dani Alves was a top target for Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal but the Brazilian signed a two-year contract to stay Barcelona. Van Gaal is expected to step up his interest in Sergio Ramos, with the Dutchman set to demand the Real Madrid star in any deal that involves David de Gea going in the opposite direction.

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Sourced from Zap Sportz

Levy in Spain to bag Alderweireld for Spurs | ZapSportz

TOTTENHAM Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is in Spain to personally oversee perhaps the Premier League club’s most significant signing of the summer – Toby Alderweireld.

Levy, known for his last day deals, needs to thrash out a quick purchase this time as Southampton are trying to clinch a deal and the south coast club have the upper hand.

Southampton have a £6.8million option to buy the central defender, which they want to activate.

But Atletico can cancel that clause for £1.5m – and then sell to the highest bidder. And they really want £10m for a player they have discarded.

After he played 90 minutes in Belgium’s 4-3 friendly win over France in June, Alderweireld told Sky Sports News HQ: “I will go back to Spain next week and we will talk.

“We will see what happens. I hope a decision will be made quickly, otherwise it will be all summer. Let’s see what comes up and I will make a decision. We will see what clubs come in.”

It now transpires that he favours a move to the Lane, where ex-Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino is in charge, and that is why Levy is making the big effort to iron out all the financial complexities.

Southampton’s current manager Ronald Koeman admitted he was unsure over Alderweireld’s future when said: “The player likes to stay, we like to keep the player but it’s a little difficult at the moment with Atletico Madrid. I have a good hope he will stay for Southampton.”

Sourced from Manchester Evening News

Schneiderlin can be Manchester United’s Deschamps or Makelele

When Louis van Gaal identified Morgan Schneiderlin as the midfield anchor capable of turning Manchester United into genuine title contenders - he followed a well-trodden path.

From Didier Deshamps to Paul Pogba, Gallic influence in the middle of the pitch has been a decisive factor for so many trophy-winning teams.

French international Schneiderlin is far from reaching the levels of some of his more illustrious countrymen - but a move to Old Trafford will provide him with the platform to continue what is a rich tradition.

In the Premier League alone Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit were at the heart of Arsene Wenger’s first title-winning team at Arsenal.

United are hoping to complete a deal for Schneiderlin

And Claude Makelele was already a veteran of La Liga and Champions League-winning sides with Real Madrid before his back-to-back titles for Chelsea during Jose Mourinho’s first spell at Stamford Bridge.

So effective was he, that the position of holding midfielder became known as the ‘Makelele role’.

It wasn’t revolutionary. Deschamps had performed a similar duty before him, winning five titles for Marseille and Juventus, as well as two Champions Leagues.

The man famously dubbed a ‘water-carrier’ by Eric Cantona also won the World Cup and European Championship for his country.

The list goes on.

Deschamps was dismissed as a ‘water-carrier’ by Cantona

Marcel Desailly for those great Marseille and AC Milan sides - while Pogba is the latest of France’s stellar midfielders.

That’s not to ignore the more attacking qualities of Michel Platini and Zinedine Zidane - but in Schneiderlin, Van Gaal is pursuing a solution to a problem area that he believes could ultimately undermine his hopes of success at United.

The Dutchman was so concerned about the lack of quality at the base of his midfield last season that he was prepared to sacrifice his most potent forward in Wayne Rooney to fill the void when Michael Carrick was injured.

He made a dominant midfielder a priority this summer - setting his sights on a player capable of winning and recycling the ball. A younger and more aggressive version of Carrick.

Makelele had a role named after him

Manchester United transfers: Van Gaal wants to complete Schneiderlin deal next week

His admiration for Kevin Strootman is no secret - but the Dutchman’s knee injuries over the past 18 months meant he was simply too much of a risk.

Schneiderlin - proven in the Premier League - is less of a gamble.

Van Gaal wants an alternative to Carrick, who endured an injury-disrupted campaign

He can handle rigours of the English game, having played through the divisions with Southampton.

And his outstanding performances when coming against Van Gaal’s United last season also did little to harm his chances of a move to Old Trafford.

A Frenchman in Cantona proved to be the final piece of the jigsaw for Sir Alex Ferguson’s first great side at United.

Schneiderlin’s qualities, however, bear closer resemblance to man Cantona once dismissed as the ‘water-carrier.’

Sourced from THBN - Tottenham Hotspur (Weblog)

Alderweireld wants deal by 12 July

The Toby Alderweireld saga is taking more turns than the Tour de France with both Tottenham and Southampton confident he will sign for them.We have had the Yevhen Konoplyanka saga where he agreed a deal with one club after another, signed none of them and then his agent father chose which one he wanted, ending up at Sevilla. The Alderweireld ‘drama’ of Atlético cancelling the buy option for Southampton was a story about nothing as Southampton already knew that was going to happen, as did everyone else.Atlético could buy out a buy option and then sell to the highest bidder. The media have been discussing Southampton being willing to pay £18 million (US$28.03m - AUS$37.28m - €25.22m) for him for over a month, a spot of guesswork as to what the Spanish club accept.While Atlético wants to keep Alderweireld and have held talks with his father, who is also his agent, they have been unable to convince him his future lies with them. He has hardly been used by manager Simone and was on loan at Southampton last season. The 26-year-old (27 in March) Belgian defender has made it clear to them he wishes to continue his career in the Premier League. He has also made it clear he wants to have moved by 12 July, the day Atlético start pre-season training…The Spanish club have held talks with Southampton, those talks have now been put on hold while they meet with Daniel Levy today. They will discuss both Toby Alderweireld and Mario Suárez, let’s hope Levy can pull off a double deal.Southampton are reported in Spanish paper Mundo Deportivo to have offered a lower than expected figure, the reports suggest a maximum of £9.82 million (US$14.45m - AUS$19.22m - €13m). Atlético wants enough to be able to buy a replacement and the paper goes on to suggest £14.28 million (US$22.23m - AUS$29.57m - €20m) might be enough to secure a deal.Mario Suárez has a release clause of £8.57 million (US$13.34m - AUS$17.74m - €12m) and an offer close to that is again believed to be good enough. That opens up the possibility of a double deal for around £21.41 million (US$33.34m - AUS$44.35m - €30m).All is not cut and dried with Suarez either as Inter Milan are chasing him, they seem to be chasing every player we are chasing.