Back in the summer when Saints wanted Russell Martin there was a difference of opinion over how much compensation that should be paid for his services, it seems that 6 months later the two clubs are no longer near a solution.

When Russell Martin resigned from Swansea City and wanted to join Southampton, the two clubs could not agree a compensation package, the dispute was fairly simple, the Swans claimed that Saints were still a Premier League club and we countered with the fact that we had already been relegated.

This dragged on till July 1st when Saints finally appointed Martin on the basis that this was the date when they officially ceased being a member of the Premier League and joined Swansea in the Championship.

As Swansea fan site Planet Swans have explained, the dispute was about the fact that Martin's contract had a higher release clause for a Premier League club than for one in a lower division, they have also gone on to claim that after 5 months as manager at St Mary's the two clubs are no nearer agreeing the compensation level.

Swansea are stating that it is all about when the approach was made, not when he was actually appointed and that approach was made with Saints still in the top flight.

While Saints are sticking by the fact that they might have approached him, but they didn't appoint him till after they had officially departed the top tier.

The difference is said to be around £1 million and that is a fair chunk of money for the Welsh club to be arguing about with the transfer window now just over a month away.

In truth it was a petty dispute back at the time, although back in June it was Swansea paying his wages and Saints saving around 5 weeks money by not being able to appoint him.

Now it is revealed that neither club can agree a price somewhere in between.

Swansea fans will say this is a pittance to Southampton, but to Swansea it is a lot of cash, the Swans spent only around £4.5 million in the summer transfer window, exactly the same as they brought in, £3.5 million of that being the sale of ex Saints player Michael Obafemi to Burnley.

Now as they sit firmly in mid table, 8 points off the play off spots but more worryingly the same amount from the bottom 3, they are looking to what they have to spend in January and they need every penny they can get, as they look nervously over their shoulders.

From a Southampton perspective, although of course you want to see the club not have to pay out money they don't need to, you may also feel we are not playing ball here, although we are perhaps right in the eyes of the law on the day he was appointed, you would hope that we are at least trying to reach some agreement in the middle.

Perhaps one solution might be to agree a deal nearer our valuation, but with a add on clause that if we do get promoted then we would agree to pay the full fee.

With us playing Swansea twice within the space of a month in December/January, this might benefit us and encourage Swansea not to try too hard in these games if they want to get top dollar in compensation, although I am sure that they have more ethics than that.

Photo: Action Images

Boris1977 added 13:21 - Nov 28 two bald men fighting over a comb springs to mind.
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SaintPaulVW added 13:27 - Nov 28 If it goes to court, the lawyers will get more than is at stake. Hopefully a compromise can be reached that both sides can live with
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Bowlercow added 14:34 - Nov 28 Another reason to have an independent regulatory for all things football
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DellBoyWally added 17:00 - Nov 28 Offer half the compensation on the basis we only use RM for first halves of games and bring in someone else to manage the second halves??!!
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City_boy added 17:16 - Nov 28 This can all be sorted easily. `Send him back and let's start again. I am still convinced by all this tippy/tappy football and it bores me silly.
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kingolaf added 18:57 - Nov 28 Blimey, you’re a soft touch Nick. Swansea are massively trying it on. I wouldn’t compromise with them.
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Flamingbankers added 11:10 - Nov 30 There's still a dispute because it's already settled under the league rules but Swansea need the extra money so they're still quibbling - isn't he a Swansea left back? Like their left backs , Swansea don't have a ground to stand on.
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