It's nice to see some rumour mongering getting started again. I had kind of missed it. Tribal Football seem especially keen to come up with nonsense links.
Saints are looking at Racing Club striker Diego Milito according to Ossie Ardiles. Ardiles said: "I received a phone call on Friday night asking me if our forward Diego Milito was going to play on Sunday against Velez because some people from Southampton wanted to see him in action.
"I didn't have the chance to speak with them but our president, Fernando Marin, told me that they could be interested in buying him."
Milito has said: "I would enjoy coming to play in The Premiership in England. I think it's the best level of football in the world right now."
Another striker linked yet again is Bobby Zamora. With Brighton rooted to the bottom of the first division, they need all the help they can get, so I doubt Zamora will be going anywhere.
Saints need another striker like a hole in the head. We have Beattie, Ormerod, Delgado, Pahars, Tessem, Davies and McDonald all looking for a place in the side. Delgado has yet to have a chance to fully show what he can do and Ormerod needs first team games to improve further, which he is doing all the time. With the experienced Beattie and Pahars, there really isn't room for anyone else in the squad. Look for one of Saints traditional "ones for the future" and nothing else.
One old rumour which looks more likely is that of Khalilou Fadiga. The left sided Auxerre and Senegal midfielder was apparently due to join the Saints over the summer but the Auxerre coach wanted to keep him until the transfer window. Fadiga impressed in the world cup, and although having rejected Auxerre's latest contract offer, has had some excellent club matches this season.
Tribal football reports a price tag of over five million for Fadiga while it is believed that the Saints would be willing to pay only half of that amount for a player soon to be out of contract and looking for a move elsewhere.
One rumour I'd like there to substance in, is a move for Tottenham's left side midfielder Matthew Etherington. Relations between Etherington and Spurs deteriorated to the point of the player handing in a transfer request. Spurs are still to hold any contract talks with the player who only gets a game when others are injured.
Etherington has impressed since his days at Peterborough. He would be a fine attacking addition to the Saints team and would provide more balance with Fernandes down the right flank.