The media are linking Saints with a couple of free agents, but do the rumours have an substance and are these players worth a punt, find out all the info here.

The first player to be linked is Jozo Šimunović who has been a free agent since being released from Celtic in the summer, ironically Šimunović joined Celtic in September 2015 as a replacement for Virgil Van Dijk and although the Croatian central defender has had his moments in Scotland he has also been blighted with injury, indeed his first season saw him out for two periods and he played just 11 Scottish Premier League games.

The following season he returned to the side but only after controversy, he agreed terms and passed a medical at Torino, but the deal fell through when the two clubs could not agree a fee.

However he did have a decent season and signed a new deal in the summer of 2017.

But he suffered various injuries that meant he spent more time out injured than available to play and in 5 seasons at the club he managed only 75 SPL appearances.

Truth is on this one I can't see Saints wanting to take a punt on a player who is not an international and has averaged only 15 games a season in the last 5 years, this is surely more speculation and agents talk than anything else. ON the face of it he is no better than any of Saints three central defenders who have played so far this season and a worse injury record than Salisu, who may return to action.

If we could get in experience on a free it would be worth doing but Šimunović does not have that high level experience.

The second free agent linked is striker Ahmed Musa, who apparently was set to sign for West Bromwich Albion after passing a medical, but it is being reported that having made 5 signings in the January window, the Baggies are struggling to find the money to pay him.

He is now being linked with Saints along with Brighton and Burnley as possible destinations.

The Nigerian striker has pedigree, not least two stints with CSKA Moskow, as well as joining Leicester City for £16.6 million in the summer of 2016, but it didn't work out at the KIng Power, he scored just twice in 21 appearances before joining CSKA Moscow for that second stint on loan in January 2018.

He has spent the last two years in Saudi Arabia but was released back in October his time there not being successful.

On the face of it he looks a good bargain signing, but the question is where would Saints use him, they have a number of attacking options including new signing Minamino, truth is that it is hard to see us taking a punt on someone who did not prove himself in the Premier League last time out and woud at best be on the bench here.

Photo: Action Images

A1079 added 13:43 - Feb 8 "......and a worse injury record than Salisu, who may return to action" Did I miss something, but I don't recall him being "In Action" let alone returning to action?
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Jesus_02 added 13:58 - Feb 8 I think both of these players were only going to be signed on short term deals. Either might be worth a punt on that basis. Was the guy playing under Puel at Leicester, i wouldn't judge his goal scoring on that too much probs had him playing as part of a midfield 6
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codge added 14:31 - Feb 8 No worse than any of the three who have played so far this season surely your joking if you think he can’t be better than Stephens l think you’re being seriously delusional.
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underweststand added 15:36 - Feb 8 Many people think that "free agent " means the player is either; out of contract, too old injury-prone or unwanted....which in reality doesn't tell the whole story. However, a player like (e.g). Bertrand who is OOC in June, doesn't fit any of the other categories, and if Danny Ings stays until his contract is out he will come be a free agent, and become easy pickings for any club willing to pay his salary and no fee. Players who; think they can do better, haven't been given a fair chance, or just don't fit in at the club they once joined ..are entitled to choose their own future. We don't know the whole story about the two named above, but players of that ilk often spend half their careers on the bench would want look to find an alternative. Martin Semmens stated that the club knew Salisu had injury problems before we signed him, yet were prepared to get him fit and still have a good prospect for the future. If Simunovic has had injuries that haven't been properly treated, then we have the opportunity to get a talented player - for nothing - and paying him a " humane fee" that is obviously beyond Celtic's purse. Likewise Musa may not have had the luck to play in aside that suits his skills, but to avoid paying out a huge £ee maybe worth the risk. At a time when player valuations have dropped through the floor, the prospect of selling someone like Ings, means we would get only a fraction of his Pre-covid valuation, and then face the daunting prospect of finding a suitable replacement, and at a time when the club is still saddled with the huge salaries of Lemina, Hoedt and Elyounoussi (for a while longer.) Therefore we shouldn't neglect the chance to sign someone -for nothing - who might benefit the club in the longer term. These are only " media gossip ", but somewhere out there are players in this situation who could help us recover some success without the burden of huge fees and salaries. NOTE: As long as they weren't scouted by Messers. Reed or Wilson... I'd be glad to consider anyone who might help fill the gaps.

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underweststand added 15:46 - Feb 8 P.S.. to the above above. Having plundered Saints for 6 players during the last decade, now Liverpool surely regret selling Danny Ings after his last season's showing, and have suddenly woken up to Minamino's talent, but both of them would want to play regularly, but in a side with Mane, Firmino and Salah as first choice, they might also see Oxlade Chamberlain, and Origi on the bench alongside them vying for places.

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Lewie_7 added 01:27 - Feb 9 Im sure this is overly ambitious but how about Diego Costa on a short-term deal? His style of play is similar to Che Adams, who could definitely learn a thing or two rrom him. It also appears that he was released on the proviso that he cannot join any rival spanish or champions league clubs, so why not come to a club that suits his style of play in the best league in the world to put yourself in the shop window for that last big contract next season?

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SanMarco added 09:20 - Feb 9 Ah - I forgot the 'free agent' rumours that get us through the few minutes between January and the summer rumours (Ings an 'option' for Man City says the Echo - what an arrogant word 'option'.) I just read about the death threats to Mike Dean's family and wonder what the world is coming to. Yes, the guy is a total dork but it seems that some people know no limits.
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SaintBen added 10:28 - Feb 9 I believe we should be looking at free-agents, and surprised it's taken until now to do so... It's obvious that there is very little money available at the moment, and I'd say there re some gems to be be had on the free agent market. I like the look of Jozo Šimunović, and at still only 26 he has potentially a lot of football left to play... Yes, he may have had injury problems in the past, but with time away from the gam they could now be behind him? I would actually seriously consider both of these players; give them a contract until the end of the season and see how badly they want it....

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