RYAN DICKSON

On the Echo website this morning......

SAINTS are expected to table an offer to Brentford left-back Ryan Dickson today.

The 23-year-old defender is out of contract at Griffin Park this summer and is set to leave after turning down a new deal.

Alan Pardew has been tracking him for a while and Saints now look ready to make their move.

Dickson is understood to be keen on the prospect of a switch to St Mary’s.

Brentford would still like to keep hold of the player, but the London club are resigned to losing him if Saints come in.

Dickson’s contract with the Bees won’t officially run out until later this summer, but Saints are free to discuss a deal with him.

If he does sign, the two clubs will need to agree a compensation package, as Dickson is under 24-years-old.

If they are unable to do so, then a tribunal would set the fee.

Cornwall-born Dickson started his career as a trainee at Plymouth Argyle.

After a handful of appearances for the Pilgrims, he had loan spells at Torquay and Brentford.

The Bees then signed him in January 2008, with Dickson going on to become their starting left-back.

Including his loan spell with the club, Dickson has made 106 appearances for Brentford, chipping in with three goals.

He played in both of the 1-1 draws between Saints and Brentford in League One this past season.

If Dickson does join Saints in the coming weeks, he would be competing with Dan Harding for the left-back spot.

Harding was one of Saints’ most solid performers during the season and made that position his own, after joining on a free transfer last summer.

But Saints don’t have a great deal of depth in that department.

Joseph Mills, 20, filled in well on occasions over the past year, including in the 4-1 Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final victory over Carlisle at Wembley when Harding filled in at right back.

But there is some debate as to whether Mills’ attacking instincts make him more suited to a midfield role than a defensive one.

Left-footed Dan Seaborne can also play there if required, but he is a centre half by nature and not a full-back.

Forgotten man Lee Molyneux can also play there, but he is nowhere near Pardew’s plans and has not appeared in a senior game for Saints since January 2009.

Saints will be keen to bolster their back line options in general, after six of the 13 players they have released were defenders.

Chris Perry, Lloyd James, Graeme Murty, Wayne Thomas, Jon Otsemobor and Olly Lancashire were all shown the door, with their deals at St Mary’s expiring this summer.

Interesting as thought with Mills at LFB as back up would not have been looking at this position but AP will know what he wants.

Sporting Life report: Brentford boss Andy Scott has admitted defeat in his efforts to keep defender Ryan Dickson at Griffin Park after he failed to sign a new deal.

The left-back, a reported target for Southampton, is out of contract in the summer and a new contract remains unsigned.

Hounslow Chronicle, 4 June

SOUTHAMPTON are set to sign Brentford defender Ryan Dickson in the next 72 hours.

The Chronicle exclusively revealed back in March that the Saints were interested in the former Plymouth flyer after he turned down a new deal at Griffin Park.

Dicko is due to undergo a medical at St Mary's, and will put pen to paper on a three-year contract with the south coast club.

He made more than 100 appearances for the Bees since joining from the Pilgrims in 2007, scoring three goals.

More interested in what midfield players we will sign. Will be interesting who he picks Harding or Dickson at FB and who if either maybe plays in midfield

Nothing on the Official Site yet, but according to the Echo Saints have now signed Dickson with compensation to be sorted by tribunal....

SAINTS have signed Ryan Dickson but are heading to a tribunal over compensation for the defender, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Sources have confirmed the Brentford left back has joined the club, on what is understood to be a three-year deal, after completing a medical last week.

However, the two sides are at loggerheads over the compensation owed for the 23-year-old.

Dickson is out of contract at Griffin Park this summer after turning down a new deal with the Bees.

As he is under 24, Saints must agree a compensation package with the London club.

It is understood Saints have offered less than £100,000, with Brentford wanting as much as £500,000.

I don't like the "sources have revealed" bit as the rag is reknowned for it's incorrect stories from sources.

Confirmation this morning on the OS:

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2070757,00.html

One down more to come.

right Back and centre Midfield please, Forlan did okay tonight so maybe AP will make a bid!

Didn't make it at United though so may not shine over here.