The crazy nature of the transfer window is playing out as Newcastle United chase Southampton defender Tino Livramento.
Newcastle are believed to be keen on a move for the 20-year-old but there were conflicting reports over the weekend as to exactly how advanced the deal is.
Livramento then played for the Saints in a pre-season friendly win over Reading, which hardly suggested a move was close to being on the cards.
Despite relegation to the Championship, the south coast club are believed to be holding out for as much as £40m for a player they signed for just £4m two years ago.
Now, manager Russell Martin has provided an update.
Russell Martin says players need to leave Southampton
Indeed, the former Swansea manager stressed the need to get his squad in order ahead of the arduous Championship campaign ahead.
“It’s natural that people will have to start leaving otherwise we will end up with a huge squad and I don’t think that is beneficial to anybody,” he told The Daily Echo.
“There have been some other clubs where that has happened, and it’s been quite detrimental to the club.
“We will have to see where we end up in terms of numbers. Things will start happening soon I am sure. The market has been really slow.”
Saints kick-off the season away at Sheffield Wednesday less than two weeks from now and Martin wants movement both in and out of the club.
This delay cannot be good for anyone
While it’s natural that Newcastle would haggle over a price, the delay is not good for anyone.
Clearly, the Magpies are keen but remain without his services during what could be valuable training time out on a tour in America.
The uncertainty can hardly be good for the player either, particularly if he’s involved in games at Southampton.
For the selling club, the idea of starting the season with a player and then losing him some time into the campaign is far from ideal.
Hopefully, there will soon be a resolution.
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