28 Jun 2017 11:25:49
Hi Eds,

According to Sky Sports sources - "Southampton are refusing to sell any of their top players this summer after agreeing with new manager Mauricio Pellegrino that the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Cedric Soares would remain at the club"

Do you expect that to be upheld, or could you still see them leaving?

Many thanks for your reply, always appreciated.

{Ed002's Note - Possibly.}

1.) 28 Jun 2017
28 Jun 2017 13:53:07
“None of those players are for sale. I can’t make it any plainer than that and that’s the way we mean to go forward. ”

“We built this squad over some time and think we have a strong squad. We will fine-tune it but, other than that, we are looking forward to a very competitive season next year and we plan to go forward on that basis. ”

Les Reed.

2.) 28 Jun 2017
28 Jun 2017 17:40:42
Of course I would imagine they never want to sell their best players and this summer is no different to previous years. if a bid comes in and a player is making noises then I'm sure that offer will be heard. I have hated the sales over the years but if an offer of 65million plus came in for vvd I would take it!

3.) 28 Jun 2017
28 Jun 2017 19:45:25
the policy has always been the same, imagine it's the same as your car or your house, it's 'not for sale' but if someone came along and offered you way above market value, you'd take it.

4.) 29 Jun 2017
29 Jun 2017 11:30:07
"There may be players that go on the basis that it's the right thing for them and the club" Well there is a little get out clause. I agree VVD and Cedric aren't for sale but that doesn't mean they won't be sold. It would be great this summer season if we showed a bit of strength and didn't sell these two. No mention I notice of Bertrand our other player heavily linked away.

5.) 29 Jun 2017
28 Jun 2017 14:46:58
That can't be right as one if the eds clearly stated VVD and Bertrand would go.

{Ed002's Note - I expect VVD to leave as his position is untenable.}

6.) 30 Jun 2017
30 Jun 2017 00:07:57
Would be difficult to keep VVD to be honest. Not impossible but it seems like a really long shot and I wouldn't bet on him staying.

7.) 30 Jun 2017
30 Jun 2017 03:54:10
I've said from the start he would be gone but I'm sort of 50/ 60 now. I disagree ed that his position is untenable. We had a worse situation with Spider who was told he couldn't leave and then put in a fantastic final season. If VVD does miraculously stay it will be for his final season.

8.) 30 Jun 2017
30 Jun 2017 08:13:55
EDS 002 when you say his position is untenable do you know for a fact he has his heart set on Liverpool and if so has he told Southampton he wants to go. Surely if he has this is the evidence for tapping up the premier league need. I think if he wants to go he should grow a pair put in a request the club give him a figure and he can go for that and forego his bonuses etc and commission from the sale. Then at least the club can say he forced there hand, last thing we need is another Fonte year of unrest.

{Ed002's Note - He has met with Liverpool's manager and been in constant communication with him. Asking for a transfer would be the last resort as he would be throwing away a great deal of mobney. Liverpool have trailed slime and apologised and withdrawn their interest. For them to go back would be further embarrassment for the owners - but he might yet still leave.}

9.) 30 Jun 2017
30 Jun 2017 10:58:45
many thanks for that shame you cannot be called as a witness as a ban would amuse a lot of people at the moment. Its not the tapping up its the sheer lack of class in getting caught and not being punished.

{Ed002's Note - I agree.}

10.) 30 Jun 2017
30 Jun 2017 15:33:53
Yes that's the point isn't it - VVD can hand in a transfer request at any time he chooses to - and Liverpool can then offer £70m - or whatever the going rate for a VVD is these days - and the transaction gets done.

BUT VVD then drops his share of any sell on transaction fee and accumulated loyalty bonus - as does his agent (ha) - so all this talk of wanting to play for Liverpool / Chelsea / Man City - etc

If he REALLY wants to leave then all he has to do is follow my text below.

"Dear Les Reed.

I hereby resign.

Regards - VVD"

See its easy - but with a £70m price tag will cost him at least £5m - probably more.

11.) 03 Jul 2017
03 Jul 2017 18:41:01
Just imagine the season we could possibly have, if for once we kept all the top players and added to them? We can only hope. But as previous people have said, money talks. If a silly bid comes in for anyone, it'll be hard to turn it down. Regardless of what's been said by Les.