Saints have denied that they have been in preliminary talks with Manchester United over Jose Fonte, however there are are clearly issues with the central defender and a proposed new contract.
It has been interesting to read an article on the Daily Echo website this morning, clearly written after consultation with the club, it's first objective is to try and re assure supporters that no bids have been received for Fonte and give the impression that all is well, however it then takes a darker tone as it seems to be trying to set the scene for an expected storm and to paint the club in a good light.
It is the type of article that all football clubs use from time to time, get a sympathetic journalist to write a piece putting over the club's point when they cannot publicly say things themselves on their own website.
The Echo say that no bids have been received for Fonte and confirm that he has been offered a new contract and here is where it starts to get worrying.
The article goes on to say that the club is "optimistic" that Fonte will sign a new deal whilst pointing out that the club have been very generous to Fonte and wish to acknowledge his significance to the team with this new pay rise. It also drops the hint that although the money has been increased the term of the contract signed by Fonte last season has not, due to his age.
But the inference is very much about how good the club have been and there is clearly some friction that the new contract has not been signed yet, some two weeks after it has been put on the table.
It is saying to Saints fans "What more can we do ?"
In many respects they are right, Saints are in a strong position, Fonte signed a new deal less than a year ago, Saints could have merely asked him to honour that, the two years left probably taking him through to the end of his top flight career, there are some who would say why should we pay more than we have to ?
But clearly the club have not operated in that way, they have looked to reward Fonte not just for his performances but for his contributions off the field.
So why has Fonte not signed the new deal ?
His agent will be one cause, Jorge Mendes is one of the best known in the business and he didn't get that reputation by getting his clients to sign the first thing thrown at him, Mendes is also Jose Mourinho' agent and this is where te plot thickens, it is clearly in Mendes interests to keep this deal in the press, yes of course he is trying to get Fonte the best deal on offer, but i think this is more about Mourinho, Mendes is trying to up his client and indeed close friend Mourinho's stock in football after last season's debacle at Chelsea.
But this is not of any help to Saints and if it is not careful it will sour a great relationship between the club, it's player and indeed with Fonte and Saints fans.
This is not a question about ambition, yes of course Fonte would want to play for a big club, but the reality is that although United do have issues in the centre of defence, they also have plenty of options and if Fonte did go he would probably find himself fourth of even fifth choice in the centre of United's defence.
It is clearly a question of money and Jorge Mendes trying to squeeze more out of Saints for Fonte, Saints have been squeezed plenty of times by agents, that is part and parcel of the game, they will not be upset by this happening, however they will be upset by Mendes making it a public issue and stirring up trouble for Saints who still have a portion of the fanbase on their back everytime they sell a player.
One thing is for sure, Saints will not be sitting back and hoping it all turns out for the best, they will be using their scouting system to source another central defender and if Mendes is not careful he may find his client out in the cold at St Mary's with the new offer withdrawn and the transfer window closed