Southampton Chairman Strikes Out

Saints chairman Nicola Cortese has come out and declared how disappointed he is by the way some of the fat cat Premier League big boys have acted.

The Saints chairman has also stated his belief that the teenage winger’s development will be best served by remaining at St Mary’s for at least the next 18 months as he develops further.

In a national newspaper interview today, Cortese revealed that he refused point blanc to negotiate with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool or even Manchester United during the transfer window.

These three clubs were interested in signing 17-year-old sensation Oxlade-Chamberlain, but the Saints chief said that he either binned any offers or declined to discuss a move.

Continuing he added that whilst a lot of the clubs were professional with their manner of approach and dealings some were downright arrogant.

Picking out Arsene Wenger in particular, Nicola was scathing in the way he said he deplored the way that Wenger told all and sundry of his attempts to buy our youngster.

Talking about his position, he said that the club did not want to sell and therefore we didn’t.

Finishing he aded that he feels the best place for the lad is where he is. Not just for now but for a minimum of 18 months as well.

For me that is heartening news as a Saints fan. To know that we are sufficiently well off to be able to dig our heels in and refuse to do business is a relatively new experience for us and long may it continue.