Another rumor, another one in the opposite direction. According to Sky Sports, "Southampton have been offered the chance to sign USA and New York Red Bulls centre-back Aaron Long". Marseille is also supposedly interested.

Long was a target of West Ham in midseason, and should now qualify for a UK work permit due to his recent USA caps. A $6 million release clause is mentioned; when Sky did similarly during the summer rumors, Kristian Dyer stated that "there's no release clause".

Southampton is the team of Metro loanee Josh Sims, serving out his term in limbo until the end of the calendar year.