A look at the latest Saints rumours doing the rounds as the club begin their pre season fixtures.


In23/07/200
Michael CarrickWest Ham United£3.5 million

Crystal Palace have apparently put in a bid for Carrick of around 2.5 million. Although Carrick is a real talent, Saints have no shortage of midfielders at the moment and so may have no need to


bring in another.
       

In22/07/200
De Marcus BeasleyChicago Fire"Substantial"

Beasley has joined PSV on a four year deal as a replacement for Arjen Robben, who moved to

Chelsea. Beasleywould have provided some much needed pace and flair to the left side of the

Saints midfield and somehow the thought of Neil McCann doesn't fill me with much hope.
       

In22/07/200
Mikael NilssonHalmstad£500 000

Saints have finally agreed a deal bringing Mikael to the club for around £500 000. This gives

Sturrock a new option on the right of midfield. The deal will be completed next week.

Nilsson had already signed a pre contract agreement with the Saints which would have taken him

to St Mary's on December 1st.

Rupert Lowe said: "It has been a tricky deal to seal but negotiations have been conducted with

dignity and decorum and mutual respect."
       

In23/07/200
MidoMarseilleUnknown

Any move for Mido now depends on Marseille finding a replacement for Drogba who has moved ot

Chelsea.

With four Premiership clubs interested Mido's agent is unsurprisingly cagey. Christophe Henrotay

said: "Until someone comes in for Drogba, they don't want to let Mido go.

"But I still expect him to leave because Marseille have also suggested he could go out on loan."

"Mido would like to play in England because most Premiership matches are shown in Egypt and it

means a lot to him for his games still to be screened at home," said Henrotay.

"Kevin Keegan has mentioned him but we also have a good relationship with Rupert Lowe at

Southampton, so maybe that could be the solution.

"But I stress no decision has been made and nothing will be done without Marseille's approval."

Liverpool, Fulham, Machester City and Southampton are in the running, but thee's no chance of

Rupert Lowe ending up in a bidding war for the striker's services.
       

Out22/07/200
James BeattieNewcastle United£7 million

With Newcastle signing Patrick Kluivert, it looks as though Beattie will be a Saints player next

season.
       

Out23/07/200
Fitz HallCrystal Palace£1.5 million

Iain Dowie brought Hall to Saints attention when he was manager of Oldham. Now Dowie is in the

Premiership with Palace and is looking to strengthen his side.

Hall has been on the fringes of the first team at St Mary's. He's provides vital cover for

Lundekvam and Svensson and Saints will be unwilling to part with hi, especially as he shows so

much promise.

After the Crystal Palace website stated that a £1.5 million bid had been made for Hall, Rupert Lowe said: "We do not comment on offers which may or may not have been made."
       

Out23/07/200
Jo TessemLynUnknown

Fringe player at St Mary's go finally be about to move on. Tessem suffered from not calling one

position his own for a number of years leaving him second choice in most areas. When he did

finally claim to be a striker, his lack of goals soon saw him dropped.

Paul Sturrock said: "Jo Tessem is in a situation that in the last few years he has played very little

football," Sturrock told The Daily Echo.

"Jo and I have had a conversation about it.

"It is important at his age that he plays in someone's first team.

"The club and Jo are in discussions at this moment to find the best way that this happens."