The Transfer Rumours Thread

[Lagom]

Woah, who said i don't think you're an actual spastic?

[MichaelC]

Messi signs for Partick Thistle in FM all the time.

And Red Dog bashing is old. He is a mostly reasonable poster.

[MichaelC]

So, Lagom has been utterly merked in the last hour by KMH, Beefy, Red Dog, anyone else? I'm losing count.

[Lagom]

Can you not use your toes to count as well?

[MichaelC]

Can you not use your toes to count as well?

:zzz:

[Lagom]

Want to hug it out? :)

[Andy]

Barca are taking the piss. Santos have supposedly confirmed Barca have bid £40m for Neymar but they're still pissing about bidding £27m for Fabregas. Cesc must wonder if they actually want him or not.

[son_of_foley]

So Swansea arent selling Neil Taylor despite this clause being activated. The clause only allows him to talk to other clubs.....

I am calling it right now that Huw Jenkins is being an absolute twat here.

They have paid up the money owed to Ipswich btw, months after being invoiced

[Simon]

We are about to go public with a bid for Rossi, apparently.

[Simon]

Chelsea, City, Barca, Madrid and a Russian team I'd never heard of called Anzhi Makhachkala have all had bids accepted for Neymar. I reckon he's gonna go to the ruskies.

[Second City Saint]

Roberto Carlos is their captain.

[son_of_foley]

They are spending pretty big at the minute actually

[turdpower]

Fabregas not in the promo for the new Arsenal away kit. o_O

[Alf]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2008953/Robbie-Keanes-switch-Blackburn-on.html

Just take the 2mil for fuck sake. You can't on one hand say that we need to sell before we buy to clear the wage, but then refuse reasonable offers trying to hold out for a ridiculous fee. Who would buy Keane for 6m? Who?

[JIJ]

Chelsea, City, Barca, Madrid and a Russian team I'd never heard of called Anzhi Makhachkala have all had bids accepted for Neymar. I reckon he's gonna go to the ruskies.

You are so ignorant.

Roberto Carlos FC

[son_of_foley]

I think they're supposed to have Tardelli as well but through the RFF Worldwide game I'm not sure if I've seen him on the bench even

[JIJ]

Carlos got racially abused against Zenit when they played them. How do Russia keep getting away with it?

[Keano's Magic Hat]

£16m for Scott Dann and Cameron fucking Jerome?! What the hell?!

[son_of_foley]

Carlos got racially abused against Zenit when they played them. How do Russia keep getting away with it?

I dont really know. Do you think a blanket ban from european football would help?I mean I don't see what else they(UEFA) can do but if you do that you probably push real fans away and increase the % of dickheads

[son_of_foley]

£16m for Scott Dann and Cameron fucking Jerome?! What the hell?!

The talk was they had valued Dann alone at £12m at start of summer and Bolton had a sizeable bid rejected for Jerome. But yeah scary figures.

Dann is a good centre-back but is that what stoke need?

[Simon]

Eh?

[MichaelC]

Anzhi have lots of money and some Russian pundits think they could win the Russian league this season as they wont have European matches to distract at crucial times (they are 7 points behind just now, but the Russian league is a long one this year!)

While people like Simon - no offence intended - haven't heard of them yet, they may not have heard of Rubin Kazan 5 years ago or FK Zenit 10 years ago, but they'll know all 3 in 5 years time.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

Cameron Jerome, ffs

[JIJ]

Ahaha Simon getting trashed left, right and centre

[Simon]

Why would I be offended at someone acknowledging that I hadn't heard of them :wtf: I just said I haven't heard of them. In any case I don't think it's too much of an embarrassment to not have heard of a team who only came back into the Russian Prem last season and are only now a recognisable club because they've been taken over by a billionaire. I know nothing about most of the Russian league outside of CSKA, Zenit, Spartak and a little about Rubin Kazan.

[JIJ]

If it ain't on SKY, it don't interest Si

[Red Dog]

He would rather eat a pie.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

David De Gea's missus is stunning :eek:

http://spe.fotolog.com/photo/46/11/55/despierta_edurne/1220732806828_f.jpg
http://img.devotedpics.com/e/edurne-garcia/miscellaneous/edurne-garcia-pictures-13.jpg
http://www.hervelegerobsessed.com/files/users/3/20110614/edurne-and-herve-leger-gallery.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xy34LN6s2Nk/Tdv2lB-ba2I/AAAAAAAABX0/TLhiqR9k8eg/s1600/david-de-gea-girlfriend.jpg
http://image.linkinn.com/userfile/pictures_1008/Image/_Edurne_Garcia_sizzles_on_FHM_Magazine_May_2010__9 .jpg

Fucking hell, puts each and every WAG to shame. She is superb.

Giggs will be very excited about this signing.

[son_of_foley]

If only Tim Vickery had talked about them lads

[Second City Saint]

Carlos got racially abused against Zenit when they played them. How do Russia keep getting away with it?Wasn't there another incident with another club as well, also involving Carlos & a banana?

[El Capitano Gatisto]

I dont really know. Do you think a blanket ban from european football would help?I mean I don't see what else they(UEFA) can do but if you do that you probably push real fans away and increase the % of dickheads

It's a general social problem in Eastern Europe. There's no point focusing on football really if there's no will in society in general to tackle bigotry.

[Alf]

I've never heard of this Anzhi lot either. There's a lot of things I haven't heard of.

[son_of_foley]

It's a general social problem in Eastern Europe. There's no point focusing on football really if there's no will in society in general to tackle bigotry.

Yeah I would assume they would want to do something before the world cup there though? Maybe they hope if they ignore it, then it will go away

[JIJ]

There's always a point to try and tackle racism ECG :wtf:

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Racism is too enjoyable an activity to ever completely wipe out, so I disagree.

[JIJ]

Yeah try and turn it into a joke but you were serious before. Says a lot about you.

Even if Russia as a whole isn't tackling the problem there is plenty UEFA/FIFA could do to keep it out of football.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Like what?

[Gary J]

Barca are taking the piss. Santos have supposedly confirmed Barca have bid £40m for Neymar but they're still pissing about bidding £27m for Fabregas. Cesc must wonder if they actually want him or not.

Barca are hardly likely to bid £40m for a player who has been injury prone the past seasons. Saying that i suppose it didn't stop Chelsea spending £50m on Torres.

Besides which Barca must wonder if Cesc really wants to play for them since he has already left them once and signed a contact that ties him to Arsenal til 2015 despite knowing Barca try and sign him every summer. If he really wanted to play for Barca he's been a bit stupid about it.

[JIJ]

They could be forced to play home games behind closed doors, or maybe away from St. Petersburg. Ultimately they could be banned from European competition altogether.

It may not work but it's worth trying, at the moment absolutely sod all is being done to them and this is a country that's going to be hosting the World Cup. African players have already voiced their concerns about the situation but nobody seems to be listening.

Including yourself. I find it strange how you are so strongly opposed to WKD adverts and the word banter but racism is perfectly acceptable.

[Simon]

Including yourself. I find it strange how you are so strongly opposed to WKD adverts and the word banter but racism is perfectly acceptable.

Very true. Ignoring the problem of racism because it's too big is a ridiculous way to think.

[JIJ]

I understand the theory behind what he was trying to say. However it is not and should not be the way to think.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

That's not what I said. I'm not interested in being trolled, it is quite good that someone has actually supported JIJ misrepresenting what I actually said which is that Eastern Europe in general has shown no political will to tackle ANY form of bigotry. Fining an ultra-rich football club or banning them from playing a couple of European games in front of their fans sort of misses the point if bigotry is an endemic part of those societies.

[Simon]

FIFA don't have a responsibility towards the world's approach to racism, it has a responsibility to protect football from racism, and should do whatever it can in that respect. If banning the club from Europe is enough to make a few hundred arseholes think again before doing monkey noises, surely that makes it worthwhile even if the area as a whole is still ridden with the problem.

[JIJ]

Don't try and move the goalposts. You said "there is no point focusing on football" because the problem of racism is one that is too deeprooted in Russia. I understood perfectly well what you meant by that and so does everyone else, it's just an extremely weak way to view the issue. Yes it would be preferable for the Government to act, and act strongly, in other segments of Russian society however that does not mean UEFA and FIFA shouldn't show some balls and tackle it in the area of their control.

The patronising act only gets you so far round these parts I'm afraid, 1PA and Bennedy may fall for it but I'm too big a fish to fry in that disgusting pan :cool:

[Red Dog]

That's not what I said. I'm not interested in being trolled, it is quite good that someone has actually supported JIJ misrepresenting what I actually said which is that Eastern Europe in general has shown no political will to tackle ANY form of bigotry. Fining an ultra-rich football club or banning them from playing a couple of European games in front of their fans sort of misses the point if bigotry is an endemic part of those societies.
You may not understand this from watching shitty foreign streams on your laptop in your Mum's basement but people actually go to matches and if you were to stop that it would have big implications on revenue and ultimately team performance.

[Andy]

Red Dog why do you have to steam in and instantly ruin a good debate with your useless insults?

[Bennedy]

Red Dog why do you have to steam in and instantly ruin a good debate with your useless insults?

It's not really a good debate.

[Red Dog]

Red Dog why do you have to steam in and instantly ruin a good debate with your useless insults?
Stop whining.

Even if there are racist and cannot be changed if you stopped fans from actually attending matches which they enjoy they will think twice about racist behaviour within the stadiums in future if big penalties were imposed.

Do you not agree?

[son_of_foley]

Stop whining.

Even if there are racist and cannot be changed if you stopped fans from actually attending matches which they enjoy they will think twice about racist behaviour within the stadiums in future if big penalties were imposed.

Do you not agree?

Bit simplistic though. If you punish the club you run the risk of run the risk of pushing out the middle ground fans and increasing the % of the dickheads. If it's fines for clubs owned by billionaires they probably won't give a shit. In terms of matches behind doors etc lets watch Serbia and see if trouble has been removed by their punishment at international level.

[JIJ]

If it gets to the point where the number of dickheads outnumbers the number of real fans then I think the majority of level-headed, reasonable people would accept that, as a club, Zenit would be no real loss to football.

If QPR got to that stage I would not argue against the club dissolving. The "real" fans in this example, if they cared enough, could always re-start the club under a new name in a lower league.

Obviously this is the extreme example of what could happen but I wouldn't be against it. Zenit is openly a racist club, the fact Advocaat came out and stated he never signed black players for fear of the fans response makes them as bad as the fans themselves. Facilitating and appeasing racist behaviour is unacceptable.

[Red Dog]

Bit simplistic though. If you punish the club you run the risk of run the risk of pushing out the middle ground fans and increasing the % of the dickheads. If it's fines for clubs owned by billionaires they probably won't give a shit. In terms of matches behind doors etc lets watch Serbia and see if trouble has been removed by their punishment at international level.
If a team had to play on a neutral ground and/or with no fans then there is hardly any doubt in my mind that results would suffer. It is almost a fact.

It is like Munich songs at Man City. They have really cracked down on it recently and while they will still sing them in pubs probably they will become less frequent at the ground because people know they will get banned.

[JIJ]

Maybe not as bad, but still bad.

[Simon]

Which in turn will lead to them being sung less in the pubs.

[son_of_foley]

If a team had to play on a neutral ground and/or with no fans then there is hardly any doubt in my mind that results would suffer. It is almost a fact.

It is like Munich songs at Man City. They have really cracked down on it recently and while they will still sing them in pubs probably they will become less frequent at the ground because people know they will get banned.

All I'm saying is lets see how it works with Serbia. Their clubs have been banned from europe havent they? Think that all happened before the Italy game as well.

[son_of_foley]

If it gets to the point where the number of dickheads outnumbers the number of real fans then I think the majority of level-headed, reasonable people would accept that, as a club, Zenit would be no real loss to football.

If QPR got to that stage I would not argue against the club dissolving. The "real" fans in this example, if they cared enough, could always re-start the club under a new name in a lower league.

Obviously this is the extreme example of what could happen but I wouldn't be against it. Zenit is openly a racist club, the fact Advocaat came out and stated he never signed black players for fear of the fans response makes them as bad as the fans themselves. Facilitating and appeasing racist behaviour is unacceptable.

And if they then attach themselves to the international side as in Serbia where do you go next?

I've made the point I would like to see UEFA do something but I don't know if bans etc are the right thing. I think a threat to take the world cup off them would however work a treat

[Keano's Magic Hat]

reports of a €50m bid from Madrid for Fabregas :eek:

[Simon]

They could offer £100m, there's no way Fabs is going anywhere but Barca surely?

[Keano's Magic Hat]

yeah, he loves Barcelona so much that he left them at 16 to come to England and play for Arsenal :rolleyes:

I'm pretty sure that he just wants to go back to Spain, preferably Barcelona, but if they can't stump up the cash despite offering ridiculous bids for inferior players then I'd think he'd be happy to go to Real Madrid.

[son_of_foley]

Be nice if true because if the other suitors (city, ac milan etc) matched that then one of them might be able to tempt him enough that Barcas hand is forced and the whole thing can fuck off

[Simon]

Doubt it. We'll see, but I don't imagine it will happen regardless of what Madrid offer. It would be great to see Arsenal unable to force through a £50m deal and having to accept a £35m offer from Barca :D

[JIJ]

And if they then attach themselves to the international side as in Serbia where do you go next?

I've made the point I would like to see UEFA do something but I don't know if bans etc are the right thing. I think a threat to take the world cup off them would however work a treat

Then you ban the international side. It sounds drastic but if necessary FIFA should make an example of them.

I think taking the World Cup away would be a very bold and effective step however they couldn't just do it without any prior warning. I think if FIFA were to do that they'd need to start softening the blow now with some club-level bans.

[Simon]

Barca are in such a great position when it comes to transfers now. The allure of playing with this generation of players means that they can not only convince players to ignore better offers from other clubs and take paycuts to join (as it is rumoured Fabregas is willing to do, although the tax issue means he'll still end up with more money than over here), but they can let players like Pique, Fabregas and the like leave, knowing that they will come back if and when they are wanted in the future. The likes of Thiago, Jonathan, Muniesa, Bojan etc can be sold off for a couple of years with a buy-back clause inserted in case they come good, then bought back for a fraction of their market value.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

Anybody hear Graham Hunter on talksport last night? Apparently Barcelona have given 'their' press order to print news of Fabregas refusing to meet up for pre-season training with Arsenal if their bid is rejected.

Now, either Fabregas is a cunt, or Barcelona are a classless bunch of twats.. which is more likely?

[son_of_foley]

Then you ban the international side. It sounds drastic but if necessary FIFA should make an example of them.

I think taking the World Cup away would be a very bold and effective step however they couldn't just do it without any prior warning. I think if FIFA were to do that they'd need to start softening the blow now with some club-level bans.

Yeah but if you ban the international side the real fans dont have the option of disbanding and starting again.

[Simon]

I was just about to mention this, I think someone alluded to it earlier...anything's possible nowadays sadly, it doesn't seem particularly unfeasible. That said, anything you hear on Talksport has to be taken in the context of it being said on Talksport.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

I was just about to mention this, I think someone alluded to it earlier...anything's possible nowadays sadly, it doesn't seem particularly unfeasible. That said, anything you hear on Talksport has to be taken in the context of it being said on Talksport.

Graham Hunter knows his stuff.. no reason for him to lie about something like this.

It doesn't seem to be in Fabregas' character to do something like that (though, who knows really?) and I suspect it's just another Barca ploy to unsettle both the club and the player. They need to offer what Arsenal want or fuck off. He has years on his contract and is vital to Arsenal..

[Andy]

Ahahaha superb move from Real. :D

It's all over the Spanish press, hope it's true.

[JIJ]

Yeah but if you ban the international side the real fans dont have the option of disbanding and starting again.

Then they need to actively root out the racists instead of sitting back and doing nothing.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

MMH, heard anything about a £10m + Gibson bid for Rodwell?

[Simon]

They'll be wanting more than £5m surely?

[Lagom]

That'd be an awful piece of business for Everton, surely?

With Henderson going for a reported 18m and Jones for 20m+, they be silly not to look for a figure on par with those. They definitely need an extra 8m+ more than they need a shit Pro Action Football figure

[Beefy]

ahaha trust Jose to wade in and turn a tedious transfer story into a glorious one. No way does Fabregas go to Madrid but this is a great twist.

[son_of_foley]

Jose is a great lad

[Second City Saint]

I hope he ends up coaching the US team.

[turdpower]

Great article on it:

"Sport says Real are making an offer of €50 million to bring Cesc back to Spain - but to Madrid and not Barcelona."

Because Real would make an offer to take him to Barca :wtf:

[MMH]

MMH, heard anything about a £10m + Gibson bid for Rodwell?

Nope not at all. We would be crazy to take that deal too.

Rodwell aint even that good though. Give is Park or something, if we get an other workmanlike midfielder in exchange then I am giving up on football altogether.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

FIFA don't have a responsibility towards the world's approach to racism, it has a responsibility to protect football from racism, and should do whatever it can in that respect. If banning the club from Europe is enough to make a few hundred arseholes think again before doing monkey noises, surely that makes it worthwhile even if the area as a whole is still ridden with the problem.

How can they ban a club from Europe for doing something which happened in a domestic game? The banana was thrown at Roberto Carlos in a Russian league game. It is up to the Russian FA to crack down on that, not UEFA or FIFA. UEFA or FIFA can only rule on games which happen in their competitions. It's the same as the issue of racist abuse in Spanish league football. If the political establishment does not consider racism a problem in those nations, then they will be on their best behaviour in Europe and be as racist or homophobic as they like in their own leagues.

There is no political will to tackle bigotry in Eastern Europe, therefore there is no political or community pressure on the clubs (or on anyone, for that matter) to change. Yes, FIFA or UEFA could make the choice to exclude any associations which do not deal strongly with bigotry, but it would have to be on that basis: to completely knuckle down on associations (such as refusing to deal with SA during apartheid), not clubs. Telling all associations that only when they have a set of reforms in place to deal with bigotry will they be allowed to take part in football competitions.

Moreover, any groups from within those countries themselves which are campaigning against bigotry need to be supported. See the violence met against gay pride marches in Serbia and in Russia for how campaigns by minority groups for recognition are met.

And I have posted this before but when I was at the World Cup in Germany in 2006, the England fans were horrendously racist. We're not talking about an isolated few, but large crowds of them singing nonsense like "there's no black in the Union Jack" and not a coloured face to be seen amongst them. Even one to one speaking to them, some of the stuff they were saying was just typical old racist shit about anyone and everyone else. So just because you're cracking down on stuff that goes on in the stadium doesn't mean it's not still happening. Racism is a social problem and therefore society must address it. It has to be seen as unacceptable, the community as a whole has to speak out against it and the people in the crowds have to want it to stop.


You may not understand this from watching shitty foreign streams on your laptop in your Mum's basement but people actually go to matches and if you were to stop that it would have big implications on revenue and ultimately team performance.

You should probably stay out of this discussion because you are being a hypocrite. You have argued that you have a right to be homophobic, similarly many Eastern Europeans would argue they have a right to be racist.

[RFF Champ]

So Swansea arent selling Neil Taylor despite this clause being activated. The clause only allows him to talk to other clubs.....

I am calling it right now that Huw Jenkins is being an absolute twat here.

They have paid up the money owed to Ipswich btw, months after being invoiced

It's in the hands of the lawyers now apparently.

Mike Ashley was in town today which usually means something is happening, too much mindless speculation to say what though. Apparently Hughton and Birmingham have made contact about Steve Harper and Danny Guthrie.

[Simon]

Sunderland are signing Wickham and Gardner it seems. Dunno about Wickham but I really rate Gardner.

[RFF Champ]

Henderson money very well re-invested I would say. Now they just need to spend the Bent money because their squad is wafer thin.

[RFF Champ]

Wolverhampton have given Jody Craddock another one year contract extension and they are also in for Matt Mills from Reading.

[Mik]

David De Gea's missus is stunning :eek:

http://spe.fotolog.com/photo/46/11/55/despierta_edurne/1220732806828_f.jpg
http://img.devotedpics.com/e/edurne-garcia/miscellaneous/edurne-garcia-pictures-13.jpg
http://www.hervelegerobsessed.com/files/users/3/20110614/edurne-and-herve-leger-gallery.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xy34LN6s2Nk/Tdv2lB-ba2I/AAAAAAAABX0/TLhiqR9k8eg/s1600/david-de-gea-girlfriend.jpg
http://image.linkinn.com/userfile/pictures_1008/Image/_Edurne_Garcia_sizzles_on_FHM_Magazine_May_2010__9 .jpg

Fucking hell, puts each and every WAG to shame. She is superb.

Giggs will be very excited about this signing.

You've gone blind mate.


Henderson money very well re-invested I would say. Now they just need to spend the Bent money because their squad is wafer thin.

We need defenders and a fucking good striker. Desperately defenders though.

[McBain]

She scrubs up something amazing, but that first pic is a bit crap.

[RFF Champ]

On top of Gardner and Wickham? I'd say you need a winger or two as well. I'd hate it if you signed N'Zogbia though. I handled Bramble but couldn't handle Charlie. I hope we sign him.

[Mik]

She's fine. A good looking woman. Beautiful in fact. But to suggest that she 'puts every other WAG to shame' just because her fella happens to be Man Utd bound is pushing it more than just a bit.

[Mik]

On top of Gardner and Wickham? I'd say you need a winger or two as well. I'd hate it if you signed N'Zogbia though. I handled Bramble but couldn't handle Charlie. I hope we sign him.

I think that we'll get N'Zogbia.

[Mik]

Bruce said that he wants 4 strikers that he could play as first choice. I'd imagine that Whickham and Gyan are two. Gardner is a midfielder. We've got that Asian lad, but I'd imagine he's a bit of a punt.

[RFF Champ]

I think that we'll get N'Zogbia.

I think there's every chance he'll go to you. He only really left us for Wigan cos he'd fell out with Kinnear. I just hope now he's realised he doesn't look like getting the move to the top 4 he bangs on about all the time that he might fancy coming back to Newcastle.

Which Asian is that? I haven't heard.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

She's fine. A good looking woman. Beautiful in fact. But to suggest that she 'puts every other WAG to shame' just because her fella happens to be Man Utd bound is pushing it more than just a bit.

bollocks is it. name me a better wag.

that first pic is the best of the lot. Naturally beautiful.

[Mik]

Di Jung or something like that. 21-22 year old tall bugger with a decent scoring record. Bruce seems to want a combination of big physical strikers with smaller skillful players like Gyan, perhaps Campbell when he comes back depending on how that goes.

I think that Bruce will lure N'Zogbia in, apparently he's been our number one target in every transfer window since Bruce came in. I am more concerned about Liverpool and Everton coming in for him than Newcastle to be honest.

[Mik]

I could name you ten mate.

Lets just see if anyone not a Man Utd fan agrees with you.

[RFF Champ]

The Newcastle ITK that I've mentioned before has commented in the last hour that there is a twist in the tale and Wickham won't be joining you. Nothing to do with us bidding though.

He's also said (for a while now) that we're in for Zog and that he's so certain we'll sign him that he'll delete his twitter if he doesn't.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

I don't get it, do you really think that being connected to a United player will alter my opinion on a woman's looks? That's insane.

Of all the 'celebrities' in the world, I consider Kate Winslet to be the best of the lot, and have stated it numerous times. This girl is of that type, and I think she's stunning.

You need help, mate.

[RFF Champ]

The Newcastle ITK that I've mentioned before has commented in the last hour that there is a twist in the tale and Wickham won't be joining you. Nothing to do with us bidding though.

He's also said (for a while now) that we're in for Zog and that he's so certain we'll sign him that he'll delete his twitter if he doesn't.

A Sky News reporter said it first acrually. Saying Wickham may hold out for Liverpool.

[Bad Collin]

Why would we spend that kind of money on Wickham when we have Carroll?

I am starting to see the sense in selling Merieles. He had a good season but it doesn't make sense to give him a bumper contract when he is 28.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

Guardian claiming £39m bid from Barcelona for Fabregas.

[Andy]

If that has further add-ons making the bid worth £45m+ I think we should take it and get a move on with getting a replacement.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

you should snatch their fucking hands off at £39m. Great deal for a player who doesn't want to stay at current club, isn't really an 'essential' signing for bidding club and who has shown signs of being a bit injury prone recently.

[Andy]

It's not a great deal in this market at all. If they have £40m+ to spend on Neymar or Sanchez they can find the same or more for an established world class player.

[MMH]

Di Jung or something like that. 21-22 year old tall bugger with a decent scoring record. Bruce seems to want a combination of big physical strikers with smaller skillful players like Gyan, perhaps Campbell when he comes back depending on how that goes.

I think that Bruce will lure N'Zogbia in, apparently he's been our number one target in every transfer window since Bruce came in. I am more concerned about Liverpool and Everton coming in for him than Newcastle to be honest.

Allegedly he wants to come to us and we want him, Liverpool aint interested and he lives on Merseyside.

Trouble is we cant afford him. Hopefully now the Yobo deal is going through we can make a move for him.

[Winkle van Tinkle]

On one hand, it's not a great deal in the market.

On the other, the lad has had hamstring issues for 4 of the last 5 seasons. For £40m, we can draw a line under it, give Samir his contract and buy BIG FUCKING CHRIS SAMBA.

Job done.

[Bad Collin]

Allegedly he wants to come to us and we want him, Liverpool aint interested and he lives on Merseyside.

Trouble is we cant afford him. Hopefully now the Yobo deal is going through we can make a move for him.

He has a left foot, why would we go near him :\

[Lagom]

Have you signed a goalkeeper yet?

[Andy]

On one hand, it's not a great deal in the market.

On the other, the lad has had hamstring issues for 4 of the last 5 seasons. For £40m, we can draw a line under it, give Samir his contract and buy BIG FUCKING CHRIS SAMBA.

Job done.

Samba, Cahill and Mata for that price, plus Enrique and get Nasri signed up and I'd be pleased with that. Can't see all of that happening though.

It's rumoured that by the start of next month, Cesc, Nasri, Clichy and RVP will all be signed up to the same agent. Ivan Gazidis and Wenger must be in tears by now.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

I hope Arsenal stand firm and milk Barcelona for an extortionate figure. How have Barcelona not been done for tapping up? Prior to the Champions League final, we had Puyol and Pique holding up a Barcelona line up on a chalkboard with Fabregas central midfield, ffs. Bunch of cocks.

I remember how pissed off I was with Madrid's constant comments on Ronaldo.. I'm not sure how they can get away with it. Most clubs in England, not known as Chelsea or Man City, do their business privately. These Spanish clubs just take the piss.

[Andy]

It's infuriating but I think the majority of Arsenal fans have just become accustomed to it now. They also forced Fabregas into a Barcelona shirt when they should've been concentrating on celebrating winning the fucking World Cup. AND they took a picture of Fabregas off the wall in the Arsenal training ground and posed next to it when they should've been concentrating on the fucking Champions League final. Twats.

I'm being cautiously optimistic about the Fabregas situation (not Arsenal in general though). The ball is in our court, just about. He has a contract to 2015 and last season he wanted to go, but stayed and performed as well as ever when he didn't go. He genuinely loves the club and appreciates what it has done for his career. I can understand him wanting to go but I'd be shocked if he sulked or went on strike or anything if he didn't go this year either. He's always been very professional.

Barca have also shot themselves in the foot a bit by offering massive money for Sanchez and Neymar. Fabregas is worth more than both of them and by making those offers, they've proved that they have the cash they claim not to. If the £39m bid is true, the saga will be over soon. I'd imagine we'd take any offer worth more than £45m ish.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

But Barca haven't offered what Udinese want for Sanchez? They're supposedly well short of what Man City have offered and even that apparently hasn't met Udinese's asking price.

Last year I agreed that Arsenal needed to take Barca to the cleaners, but the fact is that his injuries are starting to look bad and he's actually not worth as much now. That said, if he goes to a club with a good training set-up, his injuries will probably disappear.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

Since we're on the subject, Mancini just been on Italian TV announcing that City have pulled out on signing Alexis Sanchez. Looks like Barca's offer was decent enough.

[Andy]

Udinese claim they want 50m euros but I'd be surprised if he went for quite as much as that. Udinese sanctioned his release from the national team so that he could travel to Barcelona for a medical etc, after they had offered around £30m...so you'd think they must be pretty close in their valuations. Also it's being widely reported that Barcelona have offered over £40m for Neymar. That's the sort of money Arsenal will be looking for for Fabregas so it's up to them to decide who their priority is.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Chile said he could leave to sign a deal with a club, not Udinese. Udinese stated he'd agreed a deal with Barca months ago, anyway. But the point is that most reports say they have offered around £22-27 million for Sanchez, with multiple add-ons in lieu of players turning down a part-exchange.

In the case of Neymar, there are many clubs after him, he has a defined release fee in his very expensive contract. I'd still take with a pinch of salt what the Santos chairman is saying there as he used Neymar turning down a move to Chelsea last year as a propaganda victory. But Fabregas wants to leave, he wants to go back to Barca and there's no realistic competition for the player. He's also suffering from chronic injuries. I don't see why Barca wouldn't low-ball Arsenal in this setting. Arsenal, and any club, would do the same thing. They don't desperately need Fabregas but they do want him and probably sooner rather than later, but, in all, I don't see your confusion over why they are trying to force Arsenal's price lower. It's not like last year, where Arsenal refused to countenance a sale. This summer they've obviously softened so the fee coming in will be lower.

[RFF Champ]

I can't see Neymar moving this summer. Santos' chairman made good points about how Neymar is focused on becoming the best player in Brazil, how all his friends and family are around him in a city he loves and he already earns a lot of money.

He's already an international regular and he's only 19. Might as well stay put.

[RFF Champ]

Allegedly he wants to come to us and we want him, Liverpool aint interested and he lives on Merseyside.

Trouble is we cant afford him. Hopefully now the Yobo deal is going through we can make a move for him.

Where have you heard he wants to come to you?

The local paper has quoted a source close to him saying he wants to return to tyneside because he loves it and is a frequent visitor which obviously has to be taken lightly. We have the french revolution as well.

He's on holiday at the moment so I guess it'll unfold further when he returns. It'll take £10m+ for him and us and Sunderland both have that.

[son_of_foley]

Andy why the hell would you want Enrique? I mean this is all getting a bit ludicrous about this guy now. He's really not THAT good

[RFF Champ]

I think he is. Certainly better than Clichy anyway.

For 40mil you aren't going to get the 4 players that he mentioned anyway.

[MMH]

Where have you heard he wants to come to you?

The local paper has quoted a source close to him saying he wants to return to tyneside because he loves it and is a frequent visitor which obviously has to be taken lightly. We have the french revolution as well.

He's on holiday at the moment so I guess it'll unfold further when he returns. It'll take £10m+ for him and us and Sunderland both have that.

Just the usual rumour mills etc. That why I said allegedly.

But it makes sense, he lives here, we have a couple of French chaps ourselves and we are probably the best option of the teams linked with him. If a bigger club comes in for him then of course he would want to go to them instead.

God knows if we can even afford his wages though.

[Mik]

The Newcastle ITK that I've mentioned before has commented in the last hour that there is a twist in the tale and Wickham won't be joining you. Nothing to do with us bidding though.

He's also said (for a while now) that we're in for Zog and that he's so certain we'll sign him that he'll delete his twitter if he doesn't.

No sting in the tail. Apparently he has sealed a deal worth upto £13m.

[son_of_foley]

I think he is. Certainly better than Clichy anyway.

For 40mil you aren't going to get the 4 players that he mentioned anyway.

Genuinely dont think he is better than Clichy, who despite being bollocks for the past 18 months still has enough about him to be a top left back. I think it's as much to do with those playing infront of him

[The Rosk]

I was hoping Villa would get N'Zogbia. Bollocks. Him and Albrighton on the flanks would have been nice.

[son_of_foley]

I was hoping Villa would get N'Zogbia. Bollocks. Him and Albrighton on the flanks would have been nice.

Miks saying Wickham has signed not NZogbia

[RFF Champ]

Genuinely dont think he is better than Clichy, who despite being bollocks for the past 18 months still has enough about him to be a top left back. I think it's as much to do with those playing infront of him

I agree with the comment about players around him. One of the reasons Enrique has been so good is because of his partnership with Jonas. They are brilliant down the left side and have a brilliant understanding. I don't doubt that he has the ability to play for Arsenal though.

[The Rosk]

Oh good.

N'Zogbia, Given and another signing and we actually aren't looking too bad for next season. Just hope they go through.

[son_of_foley]

I agree with the comment about players around him. One of the reasons Enrique has been so good is because of his partnership with Jonas. They are brilliant down the left side and have a brilliant understanding. I don't doubt that he has the ability to play for Arsenal though.

I think if you put him in that Arsenal team and had him doing exactly what Clichy has been doing IE with the cover and players around him Enrique wouldnt not fare any better.

I dont think he's shit but I think swapping Clichy for him would be a sideways step at most

[Mik]

Oh good.

N'Zogbia, Given and another signing and we actually aren't looking too bad for next season. Just hope they go through.

I think we'll get Charles.

[Lagom]

Rumours flying about that Sammy Lee has left us, and is apparently off to work with Allardyce again at West Ham. That's an odd career move, if ever I've seen one, though is Gold and Sullivan are involved, he's probably going to be on more than their best players.

That said, Dalglish with Clarke as his No.2 sounds pretty good to me, let's hope they make a running start.

[Alf]

Appaz we've agreed a fee of £14m for Palacios with PSG.

Wowzer.

[Lagom]

That's proper mental. There was talk of him going to Napoli, I'm so glad he didn't, because I quite like them. Still, you'll need Levy to pull off a couple more miracles if you want someone of Rossi's standard to come in

[Red Dog]

You should probably stay out of this discussion because you are being a hypocrite. You have argued that you have a right to be homophobic, similarly many Eastern Europeans would argue they have a right to be racist.
Have I? :wtf: Please show me where I have said it is my right to be homophobic...

Ignorant East Europeans might argue that yeah you are right. But they would be wrong though. Obviously.

[Red Dog]

Andy why the hell would you want Enrique? I mean this is all getting a bit ludicrous about this guy now. He's really not THAT good
I saw him live the season they went down and he was dog shit, absolute cack. Looked like a rabbit in the headlights. Obviously he did well in the Championship but didnt really follow him last season.

Andy just wants to sign ANYONE

[Simon]

That's proper mental. There was talk of him going to Napoli, I'm so glad he didn't, because I quite like them. Still, you'll need Levy to pull off a couple more miracles if you want someone of Rossi's standard to come in

Why would Palacios make you hate Napoli? He's a very entertaining player, with his mad harrying and his ability to pick out an opposition player in the most dangerous position possible and put it straight to their feet.

Sadly for him I think he is a textbook lower-level player, he was fantastic when we were crap and needed someone to hassle superior opposition into making mistakes to win the ball back for us, but his distribution is so exceptionally poor that now we're actually a good side who tend to control games, he is a liability. Back when the Makelele destroyer role was en vogue he would have been loving life, but now the fashion is for ball-playing midfielders again he's found wanting. Sandro does everything he does to a slightly higher standard, plus he can play a bit too. £14m would be an unbelievable fee for him - if we can get Parker in for the touted fee of £6-8m, a £6m profit plus a superior player would be top notch business.

[Simon]

Count me in as another one who is a bit perplexed by the Enrique hype. He's a good, solid full back but I don't see him as a Champions League player or the saviour of Arsenal's left side.

[Ringo]

Levy is hilarious. Wish we had someone like him running things. £14m for Palacios! He'd probably have conned Hamburg into paying £10m for Michael Mancienne.

[1_Pablo_Angel]

I hope Arsenal stand firm and milk Barcelona for an extortionate figure. How have Barcelona not been done for tapping up? Prior to the Champions League final, we had Puyol and Pique holding up a Barcelona line up on a chalkboard with Fabregas central midfield, ffs. Bunch of cocks.

I remember how pissed off I was with Madrid's constant comments on Ronaldo.. I'm not sure how they can get away with it. Most clubs in England, not known as Chelsea or Man City, do their business privately. These Spanish clubs just take the piss.

OWEN HARGREAVES

[Lagom]

If he can get 14m for Palacios, and we're looking for 13.5m for Mereiles, there's definitely something fishy going on.

[Simon]

O'Hara (£5m)
Palacios (£14m)
Bassong (£3m)
Hutton (£4m)
Bentley (£5m)
Keane (£3m)
Pavlyuchenko (£6m)

If we could get rid of all those players at around those prices (I've been conservative with all the ones we don't know a figure for, you could probably add another million at least onto most of them), that's £40m in the bank without losing anyone important to the team. That would leave us with a squad of...

Goalkeepers
Heurelho Gomes
Brad Friedel
Carlo Cudicini

Defenders
Assou-Ekotto
Rose
King
Dawson
Gallas
Kaboul
Corluka
Walker

Midfielders
Bale
Kranjcar
Modric
Sandro
Huddlestone
Jenas
Lennon
Pienaar

Strikers
Van Der Vaart
Defoe
Crouch

All we would be missing is a top class striker to have a real tilt at getting back into the CL. If we can get rid of Jenas/Kranjcar and sign Parker, all the better. At a pinch we could maybe do with another centre back and some competition for Lennon on the wing (maybe someone who can play both sides), but fucking hell just GET A STRIKER. A GOOD ONE. Forlan plus a youngster who could play a bit-part before replacing Defoe or Crouch the season after would be great.

[Red Dog]

I SAW ANDY REID IN MY GYM LAST NIGHT THIS IS A FACT :eek:

[Simon]

Not buying it. Reid has never been to the gym in his life. I love all the old stories about Reid, the loveable fat piss head.

[RFF Champ]

L'Equipe are reporting that Spurs are ready to offer £8mils for a 16 year old striker named M'baye Niang from Caen. He's scored 3 goals in seven appearances and is regarded as one of France's most exciting teenagers appaz.

[son_of_foley]

Rumoured to be signing on with Forest in next couple of weeks

[Red Dog]

Not buying it. Reid has never been to the gym in his life. I love all the old stories about Reid, the loveable fat piss head.
He has lost loads of weight. I wouldnt even have recognised him if we hadnt seen a group of lads staring and talking about him. This obviously means he is coming back to Forest and I am calling it. You heard it here first. :D

[son_of_foley]

He has lost loads of weight. I wouldnt even have recognised him if we hadnt seen a group of lads staring and talking about him. This obviously means he is coming back to Forest and I am calling it. You heard it here first. :D 10.47


Rumoured to be signing on with Forest in next couple of weeks 10.46

SMASHED OUT THE FUCKING PARK

[RuneEdge]

Looks like we're going back in for Nasri after the uncertainty of Cesc probably influencing his own decision on leaving.
I'd settle for him being our last signing considering we're not even bothering with the defensive midfield position anymore.

[RFF Champ]

Count me in as another one who is a bit perplexed by the Enrique hype. He's a good, solid full back but I don't see him as a Champions League player or the saviour of Arsenal's left side.

I don't think anyone is touting him as that, I think they need a left winger as well.

He's very good defensively. I don't know if you watched the Spurs game at SJP but Lennon couldn't get in the game in the first half because Enrique was playing so well. Lennon had to be moved to the left at half time where he ran Simpson ragged and for that late equaliser.

He also compliments wingers well. He doesn't create a great deal himself which is a shame but he does crate space for Jonas to run into well and Hughton built a lot around midfield triangles with those two and a midfielder.

[Red Dog]

10.47

10.46

SMASHED OUT THE FUCKING PARK
I was typing as you posted you big gay sheep shagger.

[son_of_foley]

Mentally you're a bit like Wes Morgan. Slow, Ugly and morally corrupt.

I on the other hand am like Kris Commons. Untrustworthy, Lazy but better than anyone in scotland.

[Red Dog]

We are apparantly playing Celtic in a pre season friendly.

I wonder if Commons and Wilson will be "injured".

[Winkle van Tinkle]

Thiago's signed a new five contract at Barcelona today with release clause gone from €10m to €90m

http://fcbarcelona.com/web/castellano/noticies/futbol/temporada10-11/06/29/n110629118205.html

[RFF Champ]

Steven Mouyokolo has gone on loan to Sochaux for a year. Can't help but think that Wolves have missed out.

[Simon]

One day I'm going to get to the bottom of your obsession with Fulham and Wolves.

[son_of_foley]

One day I'm going to get to the bottom of your obsession with Fulham and Wolves.

By using the search function?

He's explained both before you fucking chupa chup

[turdpower]

Alex, did you move to Oxford in the end?

[Keano's Magic Hat]

Thiago signing a new contract with Barcelona is interesting. Perhaps they've given up on signing Fabregas this year?

[Simon]

Or just protecting themselves from losing an unbelievable talent for cheap.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

If they wanted him out this year, they wouldn't have offered him a new contract. If they wanted him at the club regardless of signing Fabregas, then you have to question why it has taken so long for him to offered a new contact. He's staying.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

his buy-out clause was going up to £30m on July 1st, anyway.

[RuneEdge]

his buy-out clause was going up to £30m on July 1st, anyway.

What do you mean?

[turdpower]

What KMH is saying is that is buy out clause was going up to £30m on July 1st.

[1_Pablo_Angel]

What?

[Lagom]

Apparently, on July the 1st, his buy-out clause was going up to 30m, or something :dunno:

[RuneEdge]

But what does this all mean?

[Bad Collin]

I've heard that on July 30th his buy out clause goes up to £1

[RFF Champ]

One day I'm going to get to the bottom of your obsession with Fulham and Wolves.

Two of my top 10 friends support them. Likeable clubs.

Anyway, I'm only posting relevant news in the transfer thread, I posted a Spurs one earlier and I have no feeling either way for them.


Alex, did you move to Oxford in the end?

Yeah. I'm sure I told you this already.

[Bennedy]

I like the idea that you have a top 10 friends list.

[RuneEdge]

Am I in it?

[BBF]

Is it because you don't have any?

[Andy]

Andy why the hell would you want Enrique? I mean this is all getting a bit ludicrous about this guy now. He's really not THAT good


Genuinely dont think he is better than Clichy, who despite being bollocks for the past 18 months still has enough about him to be a top left back. I think it's as much to do with those playing infront of him

Enrique was the best left back in the league last season, Clichy was largely shit. It's definitely not as much about those playing in front of him, his lapses in concentration and inability to play the offside trap have nothing to do with anyone else.

Clichy is a good player but I'm not going to lose any sleep if he leaves and we replace him. He just makes too many stupid errors. I really rate Enrique and from what I've heard he doesn't make many mistakes. My opinion of him might be slightly distorted because when I saw him live last season he was superb. Solid defensively, good strength, great running with the ball and good interplay in the final third. If we could effectively swap Clichy for Enrique I'd be happy.

[Gary J]

Enrique was the best left back in the league last season.

Leighton Baines was easily the best left back in the league last season.

[Andy]

Debatable I guess, Enrique excelled in an inferior team. I'd be happy with Baines as well, but he'd cost mega-bucks.

[Funboy]

I like how sir alex has just gone about his business. No real protracted 'sagas'; I know Jones took a little wrangling, but not over the course of the month. Now we just need one, preferably two central mids, and we'll be golden. I'd like Diarra as the defensive minded mid, and then a player with some sauce. Disappointed Thiago signed a new contract.

Now is this Qatari money, or Ronaldo-money? Seems to be quite a bit to spend.

[Andy]

Over £50m spent already. :ugh:

[Funboy]

Suppose at least it all wasnt splurged on a mis-firing forward...

It is three decent players; but still the money in football is ricockulous.

[Second City Saint]

I think I'm in Alex's top 10 friends. Even if I'm not I'm going to continue thinking that way.

[son_of_foley]

Enrique was the best left back in the league last season, Clichy was largely shit. It's definitely not as much about those playing in front of him, his lapses in concentration and inability to play the offside trap have nothing to do with anyone else.

Clichy is a good player but I'm not going to lose any sleep if he leaves and we replace him. He just makes too many stupid errors. I really rate Enrique and from what I've heard he doesn't make many mistakes. My opinion of him might be slightly distorted because when I saw him live last season he was superb. Solid defensively, good strength, great running with the ball and good interplay in the final third. If we could effectively swap Clichy for Enrique I'd be happy.

This is largely nonsense andy. What games did you see enrique live in? His mistakes and bad positioning areforgiven because he is at forecastle. Jonas is a defensive shield for him

[RFF Champ]

I wouldn't call it nonsense. As I said, they work brilliantly together and I think Jonas is a big part of why Enrique looks so good and vice versa.

I don't think he's synonymous for mistakes and bad positioning though. When I think of Clichy I think of errors such as when he studded Michael Owen for what should have been a pen but Enrique doesn't really make errors like that.

He deals with pace very well (my lennon point above), he gets forward and links with the midfield brilliantly and I think he does position himself well. He doesn't get many assists though.

I think Andy went to the Bolton home game.

[RFF Champ]

I think he needs to go btw. His form dropped a lot towards the end of the season and we should have just played Ferguson once we were safe. Enrique looked like his head had been turned.

[son_of_foley]

His positional play over the last couple of seasons has been atrocious at times though. I think this season was his best at Newcastle I think he was good and did well. I think talk of him going into a champions league team and improving it is a little odd that's all.

I think his mistakes etc are glossed over a lot more as he is at a lower side as is common. That's not to say he's a calamity job but just he gets away with more than he would if he was playing for Arsenal

[RFF Champ]

This was his best season but when he played in previous years he still looked very good. When Shearer was playing that 4-3-3 and Enrique played he provided a lot more direct running and helped make the system work but he didn't play much. I would say he is one of the few that performed well in that season.

My biggest criticism of him is that he messes about with the ball too much when he should just boot it away, he does give away possession like that from time to time and he can be susceptible to when we play a high line but I think that's a problem our whole defence has.

I have always been very complimentary of him and I don't doubt he could perform higher. I don't know where comments have come from about him improving a team. I think as with any full back, you look for a solid addition and one that is an improvement on what you've got and that in turn improves the team, I don't think it's possible for a full back to revolutionise a team. That's the case with Liverpool and Arsenal, I would say.

[Simon]

We've signed some Mexican kid called Antonio Pedroza-Whitham, a 20-year old striker who was born in England. Not much experience but he scored 9 in 12 games in his debut season...

[RFF Champ]

Clichy to Man City is the latest rumour.

Also, Leicester are now in for Matt Mills according to the local paper.

[son_of_foley]

Leicester are ridiculous

[Ringo]

We've signed some Mexican kid called Antonio Pedroza-Whitham, a 20-year old striker who was born in England. Not much experience but he scored 9 in 12 games in his debut season...

Fantastic name.

We've signed the once highly rated Gael Etock after he was released from Barcelona apparently. He'll be immediately loaned out to Sporting Lisbon.

[turdpower]

Come on NASRI :fingersx:

[Andy]

The £23m Nasri move is something someone made up on Twitter last night and it's causing huge arguments about whether we should sell at that price...mental.

Milan have come in for him now.

[Red Dog]

Leicester are ridiculous
Leicester are clearly paying big, big wages.

Why else for example would Schmeichal leave Leeds when he is No.1 to go to arguably inferior and certainly smaller club. Danns is a mercenary as well. I think he turned us down about 5 times. Mills was another who turned us down.

[Simon]

COME OOOOOOOOON NASRI GO.

If Nasri and Fabadabadoo both go, Arsenal will get relegated wahoo

[Alf]

Defoe to sunderland aapppaz

[RFF Champ]

I doubt Defoe would want to move to the north east.

[son_of_foley]

If I was Peter Crouch right I would move to whichever club was closest to Abby Clancys crotch. I might even live there

[Keano's Magic Hat]

Nasri will sign for Citeh

[El Capitano Gatisto]

The Guardian reporting Clichy to City is almost done.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

COME OOOOOOOOON NASRI GO.

If Nasri and Fabadabadoo both go, Arsenal will get relegated wahoo

That would leave Arsenal with £50m-£60m to play with, and the likes of Wilshere and Ramsey in midfield. It could actually work out well for them.

[son_of_foley]

The Guardian reporting Clichy to City is almost done.

I hope he goes there and then scores against Arsenal and then somehow ends up costing Andy his job or life

[Keano's Magic Hat]

Clichy is shit

[Winkle van Tinkle]

I'll gladly fuck Nasri off if he is engineering a move and we can get £20m for him. The little shit doesn't deserve to be on parity with the like of Fabregas and Van Persie.

Don't get me wrong, i'll be happy for him to stay, but he's had 5 excellent months in 3 years.

[Winkle van Tinkle]

The Guardian reporting Clichy to City is almost done.

Thank God.

I hope they enjoy diabolical crossing, and huge lapses of concentration.

[Simon]

That would leave Arsenal with £50m-£60m to play with, and the likes of Wilshere and Ramsey in midfield. It could actually work out well for them.

And Arsene Wenger in charge of the money :D

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Thank God.

I hope they enjoy diabolical crossing, and huge lapses of concentration.

They must do, since they have Bridge and Kolarov there too. At least they now have some pace with Clichy, the other two must be the slowest left-backs in the universe.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

Kolarov takes a great corner, though. Just what you need from a left back.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

And Arsene Wenger in charge of the money :D

Wenger's record is odd in that the more he spends on a player, the inferior the player seems to be. He should stick to signing budget Africans or underperformers from the French League.. sign 15 of them for £60m, and you can basically guarentee that at least a couple of them will be world class.

It's signing the likes of Rosicky, Arshavin and Reyes where he struggles.

[son_of_foley]

Arshavin was played in the wrong position though. That's what is so infuriating he keeps buying central players with good close control and thinking he can make them wingers

[Mik]

Defoe to sunderland aapppaz

Not that I've heard.

[RuneEdge]

Chelsea have apparantly put in a bid for Pastore, meaning they've probably given up on Modric.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

Pastore has been shite whenever I've seen him.

[Ringo]

Chelsea have apparantly put in a bid for Pastore, meaning they've probably given up on Modric.

Where did you read that? Because if it's from his agent or Palermo's bonkers president Maurizio Zamparini then it's nothing new. Zamparini has been saying all kinds of mad things for weeks now. He is rapidly descending into madness.

Pastore, like Marek Hamsik at Napoli, is a player who has never impressed when I've taken the time to watch him play. He is to me as Zlatan Ibrahimovic is to Simon.

[Bennedy]

I feel the same about Hulk. Has never really impressed me when seeing him play.

Doesn't mean he is not a good player though.

[Simon]

Hamsik is also Ibrahimovic to me. Just never seen him do anything. Ibra has to be given the benefit of the doubt because his record speaks for itself. I'm going to stop watching his matches as it obviously puts him off and I feel bad.

Pastore isn't the same sort of player as Modric - I don't think them signing Pastore would be instead of Modric, unless you mean finance wise they have to choose between them.

[Simon]

I feel the same about Hulk. Has never really impressed me when seeing him play.

Doesn't mean he is not a good player though.

Whenever I've seen Hulk he's looked alright but Falcao has looked much better.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

To be fair to Hamsik and Pastore, they're only 22 years old. Ibrahimovic is a 30 year old man who has continually let himself down in the Champion's League. I think Hamsik and Pastore have a bit to go yet before they get to that level of hype.

I've seen a bit of Hamsik for Slovakia in north and south Ireland's qualifying groups over the past few years and he has looked quality at a very young age. Only seen Pastore coming on a couple of times for Argentina and he looks very talented, but don't see any way he could be seen as a Premier League central midfielder the same way Modric is now, he's a clearly a much more attacking player. Similar to people calling for Sneijder to be signed as a midfielder when that's just not where he ever plays, he's always behind strikers.

[Ringo]

Pastore isn't the same sort of player as Modric - I don't think them signing Pastore would be instead of Modric, unless you mean finance wise they have to choose between them.

Yep, nor do I. Modric would be alongside Ramires and/or Essien while Pastore would be further forward. Although if AVB wants to play like he did with Porto, I'm guessing we'd go for something along the lines of:


Essien

Ramires - Modric

RF - Torres - LF

I actually think Sturridge could work really well in that Right Winger/Forward role that Hulk played at Porto. Speed and strength. If we signed Pastore + Modric/Moutinho then I'm not entirely sure how it'd work, but I won't be complaining.

[Simon]

No Fat Frank?

I'd have thought you would be going...


Cech

Ivanovic - Luiz - Terry - Cole

Mikel

Essien - Lampard

NEW - Torres - Malouda

[Simon]

Dong-won has signed for Sunderland now. Impressed with their movement in the transfer market so far, nothing spectacular but for my money Gardner is a better player in the short-term than Henderson and he's still relativey young, Larsson is a good addition and if one of Wickham or this Korean lad can weigh in with a few goals they will be well set.

[Ringo]

I think Lamps will be in and out, but he's not the creative type that we need and he doesn't have the legs anymore to be running around like a mad man for 90 minutes. Mikel can fuck off too. I'd have Essien and Ramires in there for sure. Ramires was probably our best player after January and I'm confident that Essien can still be a beast. Between them they can cover an obscene amount of ground.

Malouda could be off too...

[Simon]

Can we have Drogba?

[Ringo]

Dong-won has signed for Sunderland now. Impressed with their movement in the transfer market so far, nothing spectacular but for my money Gardner is a better player in the short-term than Henderson and he's still relativey young, Larsson is a good addition and if one of Wickham or this Korean lad can weigh in with a few goals they will be well set.

They still need a couple of defenders and I think a few players (Campbell/Turner/others?) are supposed to be out for months but on the whole I agree. Some good business so far.

[Ringo]

Can we have Drogba?

I do wonder whether we'll be offering somebody as a part exchange for Modric if we come back in.

You can have Anelka and Kalou.

Apparently BOSSingwa is almost certainly off to Turkey as well. Rumours of a part exchange for Turan, but I doubt it.

Also Jeffrey Bruma has tweeted that he is indeed in Hamburg ready to go on loan for 2 years with recall option after year one. The first piece of business with Hamburg that I'm happy with.

[Mik]

Dong-won has signed for Sunderland now. Impressed with their movement in the transfer market so far, nothing spectacular but for my money Gardner is a better player in the short-term than Henderson and he's still relativey young, Larsson is a good addition and if one of Wickham or this Korean lad can weigh in with a few goals they will be well set.

I think that we still need someone up front with some proven experience at a high level and desperately need a couple of top quality defenders. I'd probably replace the entire defence, but I cant see that happening.

Fortunately I think that Brucey and Quinny are well aware of that too, so hopefully we'll pick up another three or four good players. I'm pleased that we're still buying fairly young too.

[Alf]

Crouch, Defoe, Pav. Take your pick.

[Simon]

I do wonder whether we'll be offering somebody as a part exchange for Modric if we come back in.

You can have Anelka and Kalou.

Apparently BOSSingwa is almost certainly off to Turkey as well. Rumours of a part exchange for Turan, but I doubt it.

Also Jeffrey Bruma has tweeted that he is indeed in Hamburg ready to go on loan for 2 years with recall option after year one. The first piece of business with Hamburg that I'm happy with.

You won't get Modric, I'm pretty confident tbh. Tomorrow is make or break though as he's meeting Spurs with his agent, first day of pre-season.

If we got Drogba, we would qualify for the CL. I honestly believe that. Won't happen though.

[Mik]

Crouch, Defoe, Pav. Take your pick.

Pav, £6m please.

[Simon]

Fucking hell Mik if you open the bidding at £6m you will get taken to the cleaners. Your opening bid would need to be -£300m to convince Levy to let you have him for £6m.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

I wish Sunderland would stop fucking about and sign Gibson

[son_of_foley]

Levy is such a business genius






except when he didnt get you lot a striker last year and fucked any chance of getting CL money lol

[Keano's Magic Hat]

Levy is such a business genius






except when he didnt get you lot a striker last year and fucked any chance of getting CL money lol

:D

[Simon]

Levy is such a business genius






except when he didnt get you lot a striker last year and fucked any chance of getting CL money lol

Two sides of the same coin. He extracts the best value out of incoming and outgoing transfers - the downside of that is that sometimes we miss out on good players because we won't pay the money and keep bad players on our books because we won't accept a reasonable offer. You can't argue with the way he's run the club and kept us in such good shape financially, but I do wish he'd take more of a gamble. A striker last January could have changed our entire future.

[Andy]

ahaha exactly. Hilarious how much the Spurs fans go on about him.

[son_of_foley]

I hope eventually everyone refuses to do business with him

[Keano's Magic Hat]

He was a cock during the whole Berbatov thing.. making out he didn't want Berbatov to go, yet leaking the story to the press in hope of creating some kind of bidding war

[Simon]

He was a cock during the whole Berbatov thing.. making out he didn't want Berbatov to go, yet leaking the story to the press in hope of creating some kind of bidding war

And we got a decent deal! And if Berbatov hadn't been such a mincer wanting the chance of winning things instead of loads of lovely money from City, we'd have got about £10m more than we ended up getting.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

he's a man of class :cool:

[Keano's Magic Hat]

Huge Manchester news coming up now on SSN

Clichy to City probably

[Keano's Magic Hat]

City make Nasri bid. Told you he's off to City.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

ooh, United are involved now :D

[Keano's Magic Hat]

Arsenal would surely prefer Nasri to United instead of City?

[Simon]

Arsenal are being stripped and sold off for parts :lol:

[Keano's Magic Hat]

:lol: Spurs must be loving it

[Keano's Magic Hat]

seriously.. clichy, nasri and fabregas all look like leaving

but they can't get rid of almunia, rosicky, denilson and arshavin :D

[Bad Collin]

Fucking hell, there might be a nice little battle for fourth at this rate.

[Simon]

What a day this would be if Arsenal lost Nasri and Clichy. If I get home from training and they've lost Fabs as well, I will literally cover my whole house in cum.

[Simon]

Nasri is 4/9 to join City. It's happening :D

[Keano's Magic Hat]

:( Looks like SSN jumped the gun. Backtracking like mad now. From City bidding for Nasri and being close to signing him, to merely 'interested'.

[Simon]

Nooooooo

[Andy]

Apparently they've offered us more than £20m and Nasri £180k/week. Nasri will get the money he wants then.

Clichy leaving is fine by me. I might have to take a break from this place and life in general if we lose Nasri and Fabregas before getting ANYONE in.

[Red Dog]

Nooooooo
Hahaha that was your 110,000th post.

I had high hopes it would be a bit better than that!

Not much better, granted. But better.

[Simon]

If Nasri and Fabregas go without getting anyone in, I might have a look at Arsenal's odds and put a tenner on them to win the league.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

Got to love this figure of 180k a week.. it's most definitely bollocks but with Sky's pushing will be seen as fact before long.

City have a ridiculous wage bill and need to get rid before they can buy. They will not be offering Nasri that kind of money.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

United in for M'Vila apparently

[Mik]

Gardner signed up.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

O'Shea has agreed terms with Sunderland. Deal completed early next week according to The Guardian :(

[Bluemoon]

At last we make a move.

[Keano's Magic Hat]

It's not yet July

[Red Dog]

We are allegedly signing Giles Barnes and Andy Reid tomorrow or monday.

Thankfully SOF wont go mental because they are free transfers.