Southampton

Saints turn down offers for Bale
Southampton have offered highly-rated youngster Gareth Bale a deal extension after rejecting two Premiership club bids, reports SSB. Manchester United are believed to have followed Tottenham in making a firm offer for Wales international Bale. But Southampton hope to keep the 17-year-old full-back through to 2009 with a one-year contract extension. The Championship club have also received inquiries from Newcastle, Arsenal and Liverpool. Southampton, keen not to see Bale leave in similar circumstances to Arsenal striker Theo Walcott 12 months ago, are confident Bale will sign the extended contract. But if the defender turns down the offer, they believe they will have to cash in and sell him, before his transfer value diminishes towards the end of his contract. Bale has scored five goals in 25 Saints appearances this season and marked his debut as Wales' youngest international by setting up their late winner in the 2-1 victory against Trinidad & Tobago in May.

Bale is not for sale, says Burley
Southampton boss George Burley remains adamant that Gareth Bale will not be sold in the current transfer window. The 17-year-old full-back has been linked to Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham, with Saints turning down two £5m offers. "There is no change in the situation. I spoke to his parents last week and they are very happy," said Burley. "Gareth will certainly be here until the end of the season and hopefully a lot longer." Saints are reported to have offered Bale a one-year extension to his contract - the longest permitted at his age - but the club have so far refused to confirm that a deal is on the table. "We are talking to him and hopefully we can extend his contract but he is certainly going to be a Southampton player until the end of the season," added Burley. Saints have turned down bids from Manchester United and Tottenham. In addition to those £5m offers, there were also believed to have been inquiries from Newcastle, Arsenal and Liverpool. Bale marked his debut as Wales' youngest international by setting up their late winner in the 2-1 victory against Trinidad and Tobago in May.

Idiakez loan deal at QPR extended
QPR have extended Southampton midfielder Inigo Idiakez's loan spell until the end of the season. But the deal for the 33-year-old expires on 6 May, enabling him to play in the Championship play-offs should Southampton reach them. Idiakez has scored one goal for QPR, helping them to a shock win over Southampton's play-off rivals Preston. Southampton signed former Real Sociedad midfielder Idiakez from Derby last August for £250,000.

Saints recall Idiakez from loan
Midfielder Inigo Idiakez has been recalled by Southampton from his loan spell with QPR. Idiakez, 33, had joined the London outfit until the end of the season and had made five appearances for the Loftus Road club, scoring once. Saints manager George Burley activated a 24-hour recall option to help their push for a place in the play-offs. "It is unfortunate but I understand the position George is in. We will miss him," said QPR boss John Gregory.

Saints hit by Saganowski injury
Southampton's Marek Saganowski has been ruled out for the rest of the regular season, reports SSB. The striker, who has scored 10 goals in his last 10 games since arriving on loan from French side Troyes, tore a groin muscle last weekend. He is set to be out for three to four weeks, which means he could return for the play-offs, if Saints reach them. George Burley's side currently sit 4 points below the top six, with Leeds their visitors on Saturday.

Burley is concerned for Lundekvam
Southampton manager George Burley was concerned by the suspected broken ankle which captain Claus Lundekvam suffered in their 4-1 win against Southend. The result handed Saints a play-off place against Burley's old club Derby, but the Saints boss said: "It's a blow - Claus is our captain and our leader. "He went to hospital - we don't know if it's broken but it doesn't look good. "I would think we can rule him out (of the play-offs). But we've won our last three games, so we're in good form." The Shrimpers had already been relegated, but assistant boss Paul Brush felt the game had typified Southend's year in the Championship. "We've been like that all season. We score a good goal and then we let in some ordinary goals," Brush said. "Southampton have every chance in the play-offs. I think they are as good as any team in this division. "They've pace, strength and experience, and when you see the quality on the bench you have to be envious."

Powell set to give Saints boost
Southampton could be boosted by the return of central defender Darren Powell for their Championship play-off semi-final, second-leg against Derby. Powell had knee surgery last week, but he has a chance of being fit for the second leg at Pride Park. Saints have lost skipper Claus Lundekvam to damaged ankle ligaments but boss George Burley told Saints website: "Darren has a chance. "His injury was nowhere near as bad as feared, it was just a tidy up."

Bale to have medical at Tottenham
Southampton full-back Gareth Bale will have a medical at Tottenham on Wednesday after the two clubs agreed a fee, reports SSB. Saints boss George Burley earlier denied reports a fee had been agreed between the two clubs. But sources close to the 17-year-old expect him to sign within days. Spurs had a bid of about £10m accepted by Saints in January, but Welsh international Bale rejected the chance to move to White Hart Lane. The teenage left-back has only one year left on his contract and was also linked with moves to Arsenal and Manchester United. But following Southampton's failure to gain promotion this season the prospect of first-team football in the Premiership at Tottenham looks to have been enough to change his mind. Bale made his debut as a 16-year-old last year for Saints - becoming the second youngest to ever play for the club - and this season he has become a regular for Southampton and Wales. He became the youngest Welsh international when he played against Trinidad & Tobago in May last year - setting up a late winner.

Saints release midfielder Belmadi
Southampton have released Algerian midfielder Djamel Belmadi, who will not be offered a new contract when his deal expires next month. Former Manchester City midfielder Belmadi, 31, was limited to just nine starts last season by knee surgery. Boss George Burley told Saints' website: "There's no doubt he has tremendous ability but he's struggled with injuries and hasn't played enough. "It was a tough decision but we won't be renewing his contract."

Saints complete capture of Vignal
Southampton have completed the signing of defender Gregory Vignal on a season-long loan from French club Lens. The 26-year-old joined Liverpool from Montpelier for £500,000 in 2000, and included Portsmouth and Rangers among his subsequent loan-spell stops. He told Saints website: "I'm delighted to be back in English football. George Burley wanted me, which is important for me. "I've signed a year loan with an option so if we go up, maybe I can stay."

Davies hopeful on Jones transfer
Derby manager Billy Davies said on Saturday he hopes he will complete a deal for Southampton striker Kenwyne Jones in the "next couple of days". Derby are believed to have made a third bid of about £5m for the 22-year-old. Davies said: "A lot more firepower is required at Derby County, and we're working very hard to do that. "That includes Kenwyne Jones. We're in discussions and, along with other targets, we're hoping we can conclude deals over the next couple of days." Last week, Derby assistant boss David Kelly said: "A bid has gone in and we are waiting to hear. As far as I'm aware the deal is not dead. "The two clubs are still talking. We're hoping for something because he's an exciting player, who will give us a different option up front. "He has an extreme amount of pace, and if we're fortunate to get him then he will be a valuable added member to the squad." Earlier, Southampton stated their disapproval that interest from Derby reached the Trinidadian's agent, despite their rejection of the Rams' bid. The club said they would be reporting Derby to the Football Association, claiming the Rams had broken League rules.

Burley in Saints sales admission
Southampton boss George Burley admits he sold his best players this summer to avoid the threat of administration. Gareth Bale, Chris Baird and Pele were all sold and on Monday the Championship side crashed out of the Carling Cup at the hands of League Two's Peterborough. Burley said: "I didn't want to sell my best players but the reality was to save the club from the possibility of going into administration. "I'm not saying it would have happened but it could have. We staved that off." Bale joined Tottenham for a package that may be worth £10m, Fulham signed Baird for £3m and Pele switched to West Brom for £1m. Saints striker Kenwyne Jones has also been strongly linked to a £5m move to Derby but Burley is confident he can reject the Rams' overtures. Southampton will lose their Premier League parachute payments as they are now in their third straight season in the Championship, while rumours of a takeover have so far failed to materialise. Burley guided Southampton to the play-offs last season but the club's hopes of a money-spinning return to the Premier League ended with a penalty shoot-out defeat by Derby in the semi-final. The Saints boss said: "After last season finished we had to look at things, as any club without a backer does. "We had no choice, we had to make sure things were right and then build for the new season." Following an opening day 4-1 home defeat by Crystal Palace, Saints crashed out of the Carling Cup at the hands of League Two outfit Peterborough. Burley said: "I've sold my two best players and as a manager you get no thanks for that from the fans, which was obvious on Saturday. "There has been a lot of speculation but I don't want to sell Kenwyne. I don't think we'll have to and hopefully we can move on."

Lundekvam to have ankle operation
Southampton captain Claus Lundekvam will be out of action for another two months because he needs surgery to try resolve a long-standing ankle problem. The Norwegian suffered the ligament injury in the final game of last season against Southend, and has not featured in this campaign. He returned during pre-season but has been troubled by the injury since then and will have surgery on Wednesday. Lundekvam had an injection and rest but this failed to solve the problem.

Lundekvam faces six-month lay-off
Southampton captain Claus Lundekvam is set to be sidelined until at least the end of February after having surgery to reconstruct an ankle tendon. The Norwegian defender, 34, suffered the ligament injury in the final league game of last season against Southend and has not featured in this campaign. He returned during pre-season but has since been troubled by the problem. Southampton manager George Burley told the club website: "It is a major blow, losing Claus for so long." Lundekvam tried injections and rest as part of his treatment but it failed to cure the problem.

Saints complete Dailly loan deal
Southampton have signed West Ham defender Christian Dailly on a one-month loan deal. Dailly, 33, will be eligible to play for Saints in their Championship game against Barnsley on Saturday. The Scottish international has been with West Ham since 2001 but has not played for them this season. "Christian will give us the experience and composure we need at the back right now," Saints boss George Burley told his club's website. "I am delighted to bring him to the club for an initial month and we will take it from there. "Christian is a leader, a good character. He is enthusiastic and he is versatile. "The injuries to Claus Lundekvam and Darren Powell have made it difficult to find the right blend in the defensive line so bringing in Christian will give us a big boost. "I watched him in the reserves recently and he did well. He is keen to come, he is still fit and still hungry to play." Dailly began his career with Dundee United before moving to Derby and Blackburn and he has played a total of 191 games for the Hammers.

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