Saints are interested in former rumour, Sergei Shtaniuk the Stoke defender. Shtaniuk has requested a transfer from Stoke and has been linked with a move to St. Mary's. TheBelarus international arrived at Stoke for the 2001/02 season from Dyamo Moscow but is clearly looking to play at a higher level. Shtaniuk's agent Billy Jennings said: "So far, all Stoke have offered is something which is just not acceptable and so Sergei feels he has no alternative except to ask for a transfer."
Saints are still looking to hold onto utility player, Jo Tessem. Tessem is not part of the first eleven and the club will have a hard time convincing him that he will feature regularly. Tessem, to his credit, wants first team football and a move may well be on the cards. It would be a shame to lose such a hard working, versatile player so I hope that it can be resolved. Rupert Lowe wants to keep hi to, saying: "Jo still has an important part to play and we have no interest in selling him at this stage and with the new transfer rules, we couldn't even if we wanted to.
"He's not in the team at the moment but it's up to Jo to regain his place. The secret of success in the Premiership is having a big squad and that's why we're reluctant to lose anyone."
Kevin Davies has been linked with a loan move to Sheffield Wednesday. "We are always looking to bring in loan players and strengthen the squad but it is not club policy to comment on speculation,' said an Owls representative.
Davies has also been linked with a move to Wolves to join up with, ex-Saints manager, Dave Jones.
Davies is out of contract at the end of the season and there's no chance of him getting a similar deal to the one he's on currently. He's going to have to continue to work hard to secure a team for next season.
Alan Blayney, the young Saints goalkeeper has joined Stockport until the end of the season. Carlton Palmer, the Stockport manager, had wanted to sign the under 21 northern Ireland international permanently. Saints, however, are looking to Blayney to push into the first team squad in a couple of seasons.
Although Saints clearly wouldn't want to lose a player with the ability of Paul Jones, the Welsh number one may well be looking for a new club to ensure he continues to get first team football. Rupert Lowe said: Lowe said: "We don't want to lose a player of Jones' quality but nearer the transfer window we will sit down to discuss the situation."
A curious rumour has the Saints linked with Yeovil Town's Michael McIndoe. No one seems able to say where the source of this rumour is for the non league striker boss. Yeovil manager, Gary Johnson, said: "There has never been any contact between Southampton Football Club and us and maybe the same person brings it up each time Macca has a decent game."
Of course, it wouldn't be the first player Saints have brought in from the non league set up, the most recent being Mark Paul, who then sunk without trace.
Saints already have Niemi, Jones, Bevan, Moss and Blayney on the books so obviously we could use another goalkeeper. Enter Gustavo Campagnuolo, the Racing 'keeper who is also reportedly attracting interest form Manchester United and Arsenal. Gustavo would be available for a mere £3 million, for which he could warm the Saints bench behind Niemi.
Wayne Bridge has been linked with a move to floundering Leeds United. Bridge has now been linked with practically anyone the hacks think is a "big club" but the situation remains that he loves playing for the Saints and still gets into the England squad as part of that team. Gordon Strachan said: "Wayne is an established England international now and by just being on the pitch he gives us something extra.
"It is noticeable that when he plays below par people pick up on that because he has set himself such high standards."
Finally, here are a few words from Gordon Strachan concerning the transfer window: "I like the new transfer system and I think it's a good thing. I'm definitely in favour of it.
"You know when the window closes exactly what you've got to work with for the next few months and I like that.
"It means that the big clubs can't just go out and spend millions of pounds after a couple of good results so everyone is equal.
"Likewise if a player is unhappy he has to wait until January to do anything about it and if he doesn't find a move, then he knows he has no option but to stay until the end of the season."