Saints bid for Victor Wanyama may not yet be dead in the water as Saints supporters wonder what sort of player they are signing.
Victo Wanyama is without doubt a talent, but could Saints persuing the player long after it was clear that money would be his object not ambition, actually be damaging to team morale in the long run.
Last season saw Saints punch above their weight on several occasions and get through some tough games based on playing a certain formation along with team spirit, however could Wanyama's links with the club affect several players in the key area of the team, ie the centre of midfield.
Morgan Schneiderlin will obviously feel that his position is safe and that he would start alongside Wanyame after his superb season in 12/13, however for Jack Cork it must be a time when he is thinking whether he has a future at the club in that it is his place that seems under threat should Wanyama arrive, for his part Cork had a great season and but for the form of Schneiderlin would surely have got player of the year himself, indeed it was his return to the side after Olympic duty etc that saw the start of our resurgence and his tireless work in the centre of the park contributed to Morgan's fine form a lot more than many gave credit for.
But now Jack Cork must feel a little bewildered about why Saints are chasing so hard a player who does not seem that eager to join Saints, likewise Steven Davis who would find himself further down the order and James Ward-Prowse who given his statements about wanting to get more game time this year, would find his chances even more restricted if Wanyama should arrive, both Davis & Ward-Prowse would feel that at these stages of their respective careers that they should be playing first team football in the case of Davis and pushing into the team in the case of JWP, if Wanyama should arrive I would contend that they may both find themselves frustrated.
In the case of JWP perhaps he could be sent on loan, but would he want that ? over the past few years much has been said about youth coming forward, I feel this signing might actually be a backward step in that respect, it will block youngsters coming through, not encourage it.
Personally with this signing, I feel that it could cause more harm than good, Wanyama has already burnt his bridges with Celtic it seems by some of his comments regarding his demands, for their part Celtic have done nothing other than pay the player the contract he was happy to sign two years ago, if Saints were to sign him, would it be any different in two years ? would he be holding us to ransom as he has the Glasgow club.
But more than that, we are once again seemingly spending big chunks of money in strengthening areas that are not a priority, if one area was sound last season it was the centre of midfield, there are far more other positions we should be making a priority to spend £12 million on than here.