Okay, this is a little bit of a left-field one – FC Nordsjaelland defender Karlo Bartolec has claimed that he was all set for a move to Southampton over the summer transfer window, but a failed move for Cedric Soares to Manchester United made his deal a no go.
Speaking to Croatian outlet 24sata the 23-year-old claimed.
“I could have gone to Southampton this summer. I was hoping Portugal’s Soares would go to Manchester United, but that failed, so I missed my move to the Premiership. They were looking for €25m euros for him, and I could have been his replacement.”
So there’s so much wrong with the above I’m not sure where to begin.
Soares had previously been loosely linked on the rumour mill with a move to Old Trafford but even back then his form made it an unlikely suggestion for many. The speculation quickly died as Jose Mourinho made the move for FC Porto’s Diogo Dalot.
Maybe there was more truth to it than most though, but how would Bartolec know what United were willing to pay and presumably the ballpark area of what we were willing to deal at?
Furthermore, one of the main excuses offered for Soares’ poor form of late is the fact he has no competition, so is the player suggesting that our plan this year was categorically to have only one right sided fullback?
Why is it either or?
Walks off scratching head…
