Southampton seem to be a pragmatic club who kind of "know their place" and play it well accordingly. OF all the players they have lost they generally re-recruit just as well. I think if we did what we did with Koulibaly and blow teams out of the water with a bid it will accomplish 2 things. Firstly they will look to sell to us as the highest bidder. Secondly if we can't get him, to upset the apple cart and force another side to have to pay more than they otherwise would have liked too. Forcing Liverpool to have to go to 45 million for him would be amusing.
We have the luxury of having received the best part of 50 million for Stones. We also have a number of promising defenders who might be "squad player" level coming through. (Browning, Pennington, Holgate). We don't really need quantity in this position, but if there is a chance of adding quality we must look at it, almost irrespective of price.
The lad himself is top draw. When we played Southampton he looked the best player on the pitch. This season he looks the defender that most of us think Stones will become. It would be a major statement to get the lad in.
Remember Dave Watson. We spent hugely on him and he offered us the value back. It would be a huge signing and would be chuffed if we could make it happen somehow.