12 Aug 2013 20:08:16
reported 1 hour ago that pablo osvaldo is very close to moving to the saints

1.) 13 Aug 2013
I heard we approached them about Destro.

2.) 13 Aug 2013
Yep, saw this. From the express. co. uk a few hours ago. Exciting if true!

Just a quick comment to those saying "we don't want him - his ego is too big". Whilst I agree that it's better to avoid massive egos for the sake of squad harmony, the reality is that if Saints want to make the move to the next level, at some point we are going to have to deal with 'big name' established players like Osvaldo. Egos are just par for the course. We can't expect to build a top 6 (and maybe even top 4) outfit based solely on Youth Academy products that have come up through the ranks and have had their egos kept in check. Not even Barcelona's youth system is that strong.

3.) 13 Aug 2013
Reported by whom

4.) 13 Aug 2013
But not all 'big name' established players have big egos, there are plenty top quality players who are also hard-working and good in a team. I hope if we do sign him that the club make sure he doesn't get any special treatment and make him well aware of that. If that's the case there's potential for him to be a brilliant player for us, if not I worry he'd cause more trouble than good.

5.) 13 Aug 2013
I want him to sign, purely on the basis he looks like Khal Drogo.

6.) 13 Aug 2013
Saw this to on express website and also the stars website. Apparently he's being encouraged to join us by their director of football because roma r worried they may lose him to a bid late in the window from inter milan for less money than we're offering!

7.) 13 Aug 2013
It was also reported that Osvaldo has possibly secured himself a secret move to Inter Milan with his desire to stay in Italy. Roma are pushing him to join us because they will receive more money for him and have more time to find a replacement. However if the player wants to go Inter and its all lined up behind the scenes I can not see him signing for us.

8.) 13 Aug 2013
I totally agree with IOW saint. there's nothing wrong with a big ego if you use it in your game. There is when you take it out on managers and team mates when you aren't happy with a decision

9.) 13 Aug 2013
I just find this hard to believe as when questioned MP said we are interested in Damaio, Benega and Wanyama and denied interest in Osvaldo saying he was offered to us but we declined to make an offer. I also take every story of him to us with a pinch of salt as this has story of 'him to us' 'him rejecting us' 'we are back in for him' seem to come out and be re circulated every week for the past 8-10 weeks!

Believe it when I see he is in Southampton for a medical. Also won't be disappointed in the slightest if we don't get him.

Saint IQ

10.) 13 Aug 2013
And where did you hear about Destro?

Mini-Saint

11.) 13 Aug 2013
Agree with Aussie Saint, sensible post - very good.

However not sure how close we are, can't find much media reporting we are close, just the same old stuff speculating there is interest from us, and Roma are keen to sell. It's been like that for a month or so now.

Could someone who has read it is 'very close' please link a source that confirms this? As I said, all I can find is suggested interest from both sides, but nothing regarding the player himself, nor any progress in negotiations.

12.) 13 Aug 2013
I'm not sure how believable this is.

I've read rumours of Wolfsburg offering £18m and having that accepted. Then other articles say Saints have bid £8m. That's a bit of a step down in price!

The one thing we know is both Roma and the players agent want Osvaldo to be sold. In which case this could quite possibly/probably be transfer games by Roma and Osvaldos agent.

13.) 13 Aug 2013
The facts are - We have in principle an agreement with Roma. However the player wants to remain in Italy to improve his chances of playing in the Italian national team. He has gone behind Roma's backs and agreed personal terms with Inter and has other suitors queuing up such as Napoli, Fulham, Wolfsberg etc, but they won't meet the demands that saints have (except Wolfsberg, who like saints were rejected by the player). I can see a stalemate here. Osvaldo will most likely stick to his guns to force a Serie A move and Roma will have to take less money if a move will happen. Who can blame him either - it's Champions League at the end of the day and he's showing it's not about money. Maybe a big ego, but he has principles. Let's hope he can be persuaded, but I wouldn't hold your breath.

Tony

14.) 13 Aug 2013
It can't be due to champions league football as Inter are not in it this year due to finishing 9th last season. However they are normally. And in the grand scheme of things are a bigger club. He won't get over looked by the national if he performs in the prem it could just be a simple case of loving the Italian lifestyle. I think we will make at least 1 if not 2 more signings by the close of the window.

15.) 13 Aug 2013
Would be happy either way, however if a player is 'pushed ' than I have my doubts to him wanting to play for us. I would rather sign someone who wants us as much as we want him.

16.) 13 Aug 2013
Pochettino said we hadn't been interested in Osvaldo but we had been in contact with Roma. Clearly at one point, this was our interest in Erik Lamela. However we came back with a bid for Destro after failing on Lamela and Roma told us they wanted to sell Osvaldo, not Destro. We said no, we didn't want him and looked at Damiao (at the time thinking this deal would happen). Now we're back in for Destro again but Roma still want to push us to take Osvaldo instead for the price we offered for Destro.

17.) 13 Aug 2013
Inter aren't in the Champions League

18.) 13 Aug 2013
Yeah. They're not the facts Tony

Facts are. We don't know the facts but its defiately a worth while post as you can find it online.

Cant find anything about destro tho?

19.) 13 Aug 2013
You can't find anything about Destro as Roma don't want it getting out that Destro could leave. Osvaldo is who Roma want to sell, Southampton don't want him, so Roma keep saying we do to try and get fans reactions and the press to put pressure on Southampton to pull off this 'coup' of a signing. Southampton think their valuation of Osvaldo is too high but will go to that price for Destro.

20.) 13 Aug 2013
Why do people keep sitting behind MoPo's comment about Osvaldo? That was made almost a month ago. Do you honestly believe that things can't have changed? He never said there wouldn't be an offer did he. Use your heads.

21.) 13 Aug 2013
I don't think this will happen. But I do think we desperately need a striker. Rickie did struggle when mopo took over to find the back of the net. Maybe a Defoe type player to get us 15-20 goals aswell as Rickies 10+ that he will get. Plus at least 10+ from other positions.

22.) 13 Aug 2013
I'm sorry, but I know for a fact that we are not close to signing Osvaldo, nor are we remotely interested.

23.) 13 Aug 2013
Who would want Destro, his legs are made of glass. One strong breeze and he doesn't play for 10 games.

24.) 13 Aug 2013
Love all the facts on here lol

25.) 13 Aug 2013
Ok, much like we explain why runours are fact, why do you know it's not fact? What position are you in to know that then?

26.) 13 Aug 2013
Both the Milan clubs are skint big time. Both will be selling rather than buying. Whilst not impossible that Mr O will end up with them it would be a surprise given their current financial position.

27.) 13 Aug 2013
AC Milan are far from skint. Berlusconi is incredibly wealthy.

28.) 14 Aug 2013
Continuing the Game of Thrones theme above, Osvaldo looks like Khal Drogo and Roma's director of football looks strangely like Jorah Mormont. weird