This is not about penny pinching, you’re advocating for us to be paying over the value of players that are currently not performing to that value. Saha was having a blinder of a season and we signed him as potential, which was reflected in a 15m that was wasted in hindsight.
I’m not one for hype and have watched more than 15 Southampton games, he is not currently playing at 40m level nor is the potential on display for a 40m defensive midfielder. In a year he might progress to either and reach the 40m valuation of his buyback but this summer he is not yet there.
The value of a player is subjective and based on more than just current level of performance, it also has to do with age, contract situation, wage, importance to the parent club, in addition to how much demand there is for him in the market and the financial capabilities of suitors. In this case, Southampton is under no obligation to sell save at the wish of the player, they will have a parachute payment for relegation, he has 4 years left on his deal, is only 19 year old and has a buy back clause for City for that amount, as well as a sell on clause (so Southampton would already make less money selling him for £40m as opposed to selling him back), and due to his age his wage demand will be reasonable. It’s all well and good if in your opinion he’s not worth that but the reality of the situation is you won’t be picking him up for cheaper in this market. Fred was £47m in 2018, Ben White was £50m 2 years ago, those figures just don’t get you players of the same calibre years ago.
Assuming that’s with Fred and McTominay sold? I can’t see Ten Hag wanting more bodies.
We will sell at least one if not both of them, and not renew Sabitzer, that’s at least 2 bodies down and we need one more even with the current numbers anyway.