Southampton midfielder Jordy Clasie joins Club Brugge on loan

Southampton midfielder Jordy Clasie has joined Club Brugge on loan for the rest of the season.

Clasie moved to Southampton from Feyenoord in July 2015 but had not made an appearance under new manager Mauricio Pellegrino this term.

The signing of Mario Lemina from Juventus put Clasie further down the pecking order and Saints have now allowed the 26-year-old to join Brugge in Belgium.

Southampton’s vice chairman Les Reed said: “We have an extremely strong and deep group of midfielders here at Southampton, meaning there is significant competition for places in the team.
“We feel it is beneficial to give Jordy the chance to play regular first-team football over the coming months. This move to a strong Club Brugge side will allow him to do that at a high level.”

Maya Yoshida signs new three-year contract extension at Southampton

Maya Yoshida has signed a new three-year Southampton contract.

The Japan centre-half was inside the final 12 months of his previous deal but has now committed to Saints until the summer of 2020.

“There was no reason to leave the club,” said Yoshida, who arrived at St Mary’s from Dutch club VVV Venlo in 2012.

“I have been here for five years. In that time, I have had difficult moments, good moments – everything.

“I feel like it’s my home and I’m very happy to continue my journey with Southampton. It’s a new chapter for my career.”

Saints vice-chairman Les Reed said:

“We are extremely pleased to have reached a new agreement with Maya, who is a vital part of our squad, not only on the pitch, but off it.

“Maya is a player who has taken great strides in his game during his time with us, and his influence was felt particularly last season, as he formed outstanding partnerships with both Virgil van Dijk and Jack Stephens, helping the team reach the EFL Cup final.

“Maya is an excellent example for any young professional to follow and it was important to ensure that we extended our commitment with him.

“We are excited about the depth we now possess at the centre-back position for the years ahead, with Maya’s new deal strengthening our excellent group even further for the coming seasons.”

Tottenham sign goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga from Southampton

Tottenham have signed Argentine goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga from Southampton.

The 25-year-old has signed a five-year deal and is reunited with former Saints manager Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham.

Gazzaniga also becomes Pochettino’s second signing of the summer transfer window following the club-record arrival of Davinson Sanchez.

He will provide further back up to Tottenham No 1 Hugo Lloris with Michel Vorm already at the club.

Gazzaniga had not featured for Southampton this season and his last appearance for the club came in a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham in December 19.

He spent last season on loan at Spanish Segunda side Rayo Vallecano, keeping 11 clean sheets in 32 appearances as they finished in 12th place.

Southampton sign Wesley Hoedt from Lazio

Southampton have signed Lazio defender Wesley Hoedt on a five-year deal.

The 23-year-old becomes Mauricio Pellegrino’s third signing of the summer, following on from Poland defender Jan Bednarek and Juventus midfielder Mario Lemina, and Sky sources understand the deal could eventually be worth £17m.

Dutchman Hoedt, who began his career at AZ Alkmaar, moved to Lazio in 2015 and established himself as a leading defender in Serie A.

Hoedt made his senior Netherlands debut earlier this year and has since become a regular fixture in their squad.

Southampton vice chairman (Football) Les Reed said:

“Wesley is one of the most promising young defenders in Europe and represents a significant addition to our squad. Having procured a Champions League finalist from one Italian club we have now added an Italian Supercoppa winner from another.

“We believe he has all the qualities to play a big part in our future, and we have worked hard to bring him to Southampton, with a number of other high-profile clubs interested in him.

“Finding a top quality central defender is difficult in the current environment and now we have six internationals in this position, both young and experienced. “Finding a naturally left-footed player is even more difficult. We have been tracking central defenders on our target list for the past 12 months and Wesley has always been at the top of that list, so it was important to act when the opportunity came.

“Wesley has proven his talent through his performances for Lazio, as well as the Netherlands, and we believe he can develop even further here at Southampton, alongside his international teammate Virgil van Dijk, as well as the likes of Jack Stephens, Maya Yoshida, Jan Bednarek and Florin Gardos.

“With Wesley joining those players, we believe we have the right amount of quality, depth and flexibility at centre-back to help us achieve our aims this season.”

Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster signs new five-year deal

Fraser Forster has signed a new five-year Southampton contract.

The England goalkeeper has committed his future until 2022, just 12 months after signing a previous five-year deal.

Forster joined Saints in 2014 and was the club’s sole ever-present Premier League player last season.

“I’m delighted,” he told the club website. “I have absolutely loved my time here at Southampton so far and when the opportunity came along to extend it I didn’t think twice about it.

“I think it’s a fantastic club to be at, with a really bright future, and the ambition shown at the club is one where they want to move it forward, so for me, it was a no-brainer.”

Vice-chairman Les Reed said: “We are extremely pleased to have strengthened our commitment with Fraser, who has been an integral part of our team over the past three seasons.”

Everton sign Southampton defender Cuco Martina

Everton have signed former Southampton defender Cuco Martina on a three-year contract.
The right-back, 27, was out of contract with the Saints after two years on the south coast and has now reunited with his old Southampton boss Ronald Koeman at Goodison Park after moving on a free transfer.

Curacao international Martina was signed by Southampton when Toffees boss Koeman was in charge and the defender has also played under Everton assistant Erwin Koeman, Ronald’s brother, during his time in Holland.
Everton have had a busy summer in the transfer market, bringing in the likes of Wayne Rooney, Sandro Ramirez and Jordan Pickford, and Martina admits their approach persuaded him to move to Merseyside.

“Everton is a big club with big ambitions and I’m really looking forward to joining this group of players and the manager as we try to step forward next season,” the defender told  evertonfc.com.

“Obviously, I know the manager from my time at Southampton, so I know what he wants and he knows what I can do.

“Everton supporters are really passionate about their club and everyone’s excited about where the club is aiming. You can see this is a club that wants to achieve something and the players we are bringing certainly show this.”

The Toffees’ regular right-back Seamus Coleman suffered a double-leg break while on international duty in March so will miss the start of this campaign, while Koeman was also keen to acquire more defensive options ahead of their return to the Europa League.
“Cuco Martina is an experienced player who can perform in different positions at the back, which is important,” Koeman added.

“It’s also important, with the number of games we will face in the coming campaign, that we have strength and competition in the squad.

“I brought the player to Southampton, so I know what he can do for us here and this is why I’ve now brought him to Everton. He is a player who will strengthen our squad and be able to play in different positions when that’s needed, too.”
Martina made 36 appearances over two seasons with Saints and scored just once, although it was a stunning long-range strike in a 4-0 victory over Arsenal in 2015.
Everton’s latest recruit was part of the travelling party bound for Holland on Monday as part of their pre-season preparations.
Under-21 internationals Pickford and Sandro, who missed last week’s friendly in Tanzania having been given extra time off after featuring at Euro 2017, were also on the plane but Ross Barkley was not.

The club have explained a groin injury has again prevented the midfielder from joining Koeman’s squad.

Barkley had been given an ultimatum this summer of signing a new contract or being sold but last week his manager claimed his future was no clearer.

West Brom sign Jay Rodriguez from Southampton

West Brom have completed the signing of striker Jay Rodriguez from Southampton on a four-year contract.

Rodriguez has joined the Baggies for an initial £12m, with the deal potentially rising to £15m.

The Hawthorns side chose a novel way to announce his arrival – responding to a tweet from a fan asking if they had signed anyone yet, Albion replied with a four-second clip of Rodriguez saying “yes we have”.

The 27-year-old struggled with injuries after joining the Saints from boyhood club Burnley in 2012 and failed to secure a regular first-team place under former managers Ronald Koeman and Claude Puel.

He scored 35 goals in 126 appearances for Southampton, who are now managed by Mauricio Pellegrino, after spending five years at St Mary’s and becomes Tony Pulis’ first signing of the summer transfer window after West Brom had tried and failed to recruit him twice in the past.
“After one or two ‘near misses’ I’m absolutely buzzing to be here,” Rodriguez told the club’s website.

“The most important thing for any player is to be wanted – and Tony Pulis and Albion have made it clear just how much they have wanted me to join. That’s fantastic for any footballer to hear.

“I’m genuinely delighted to be joining a club of Albion’s stature. The team is full of top players and it’s pretty clear that they are also a great set of lads.”

Jay Rodriguez edge closer to joining West Brom from Southampton

West Brom are set to sign Jay Rodriguez in a £15m deal from Southampton.

An initial fee of £12m has been  that will include £3m of potential add-ons, and the move could be announced as early as Monday.

Rodriguez’ future at St Mary’s had been in question for some time since he recovered from long-term injury in 2015, with the player struggling to break into the first-team under both Ronald Koeman and his successor Claude Puel.

Southampton have four centre-forward options in Manolo Gabbiadini, Charlie Austin, Shane Long and Sam Gallagher.
Rodriguez signed for Southampton from Burnley on their promotion to the Premier League in 2012, and he thrived under Mauricio Pochettino, who has previously been interested in taking him to Tottenham.

But instead, he will sign for West Brom to become their first addition of the 2017 summer transfer window.

EPL result – Stalemate at St Mary’s as Man united goalkeeper Romero saves Southampton’s Gabbiadini’s penalty

​Southampton 0 – 0 Manchester United

Sergio Romero saved an early penalty from Manolo Gabbiadini as Manchester United played out a goalless draw with Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium.

The United goalkeeper, who was starting in place of David de Gea, denied Gabbiadini after Eric Bailly was adjudged to have handled a high ball despite replays showing the incident occurred outside the penalty box.

Bailly’s sharp shot then forced Fraser Forster into a solid save, as the United defender created his side’s best chance of the first half.

Southampton forced Romero to make multiple saves after the break but were unable to get past the United keeper before Anthony Martial hit the post for the visitors.

With Jose Mourinho’s side guaranteed a sixth-place finish before kick-off and one eye firmly on next Wednesday’s Europa League final, it always looked like being a sedate affair on the south coast.

Southampton had slightly more to play for with another top-eight finish in their sights in Claude Puel’s first season in charge, and were marginally the brighter side.

EPL result – Sanchez and Giroud strike as Arsenal defeat Southampton to go fifth

Southampton 0 – 2 Arsenal 

Arsenal kept alive their hopes of a top-four Premier League finish as second-half goals from Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud earned victory at Southampton.
Alexis Sanchez produced a moment of brilliance on his 100th Premier League appearance, to hit his 20th Premier League goal of the season.

Sanchez struck the opener on the hour mark at St Mary’s before Olivier Giroud came off the bench to make sure of the points with a close-range header.

Under-fire Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has constantly reiterated his side cannot put a foot wrong in their remaining games, and they were solid enough to take home victory from the south coast to keep them in the hunt for Champions League qualification.

The victory sees them leapfrog Manchester United into fifth and now sit three points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester City.
Mid-table Southampton rarely threatened. Their best chance came in the first half when Manolo Gabbiadini forced a fine save out of Petr Cech from close range, and they stay 10th.

Injury before the break to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was a sour note but Arsene Wenger’s men, given renewed hope by victory against Manchester United at the weekend, ended a 14-year barren league run on the south coast at the most crucial of times.
Arsenal still require their rivals to slip up if they are to qualify for the Champions League for a 20th successive season.

Preview: Southampton Vs Leicester City

Courtesy: Goal

The Saints march into this fixture in buoyant mood after their comprehensive victory at the home of the Champions. Their poor start to the season seems like ages ago and the manner in which they dismantled Chelsea with ruthless and clinical efficiency must have impressed their Dutch manager. Leicester City has also carried on from where they ended last season and a change in manager has not affected the side. They have been very impressive going forward and this game has the potential of being a classic.

Jamie Vardy has been a bright spark in Leicester’s line up and the forward has troubled defences across the country. He has found the back of the net eight times in his last nine Barclays Premier League games, including in his last five consecutive matches. The Foxes have also been notoriously difficult to beat and their resilience and determination to avoid defeat has seen them win six points from losing positions; which is the highest in the division. They have also scored in all the games they have been involved in this season.

Leicester City is unbeaten in their last seven away games and their fans will have good reasons for optimism. They have however struggled away from home against the Saints in the past with only one victory in their previous 18 away meetings in the Premier League. The Saints have won ten of those games. the Foxes have also failed to keep a clean sheet this season and an in form Pelle may be able to keep that stat alive

Team News

Southampton

Shane Long will miss the game after damaging his ankle ligaments while on international duty. Jordy Clasie could finally make his Premier League after been sidelined since July. Fraser Forster and Florin Gardon remain sidelined due to long-term injuries.

Leicester City

Nathan Dyer is fit again after recovering from a knee injury sustained against Aston Villa last month. Riyad Mahrez and Jeff Schlupp are also in contention after returning late from international duties for Algeria and Ghana respectively.