[FOOTBALL] Summer 2016 Transfer Window Thread: Pep vs Jose II

[Lewis]

I bet they still end up donning the summer on NET SPEND.

[SincereTheRebel]

Southmapton are going to sign Hojbjerg
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36764528

Everton and southmapton linked with william carvalho
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/1422144/everton-join-southampton-and-leicester-in-the-race-to-sign-portugal-and-sporting-lisbon-star-william-carvalho/

Arda Turan and arsenal for £23m
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-transfer-news-rumours-barcelona-8395163

Gotze back to dortmund
http://www.90min.com/posts/3442924-tottenham-set-to-miss-out-on-mario-gotze-as-player-nears-dortmund-return

Berahino rejects west brom deal
http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/west-bromwich-albion-fc/2016/07/11/saido-berahino-set-to-reject-new-contract-to-force-west-brom-exit/

[Magic]

Are Southampton trying to become Portugal?

[Byron]

Pelle has buggered off to China.

[SvN]

I'm surprised at the low fee, given the numbers being thrown around this summer.

[SincereTheRebel]

He signed a three year deal at southmapton. He had one year left according to reports. Allegedly offered 296,157,346 Chinese Yuan over two years which is about £35m

[Vim]

He will earn 40 million euros over the next 2 and a half years. Ridiculous.

In other news, Juve have an agreement with Pjaca, just need to sort out the transfer fee now.

[Pepe]

Why Pelle anyway? It's not as if he is a 'big name' or something.

[Magic]

He's about the best they can get.

[phonics]

The weirdest thing about it? You're only allowed to name four foreigners in a match day squad. They have 7 including 4 strikers.

[Andy]

I'm surprised at the low fee, given the numbers being thrown around this summer.

One year left on his contract, on the slippery slope downhill and no longer first choice. Think we signed him for 9m so a good profit.

[Andy]

Southmapton are going to sign Hojbjerg
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36764528

Everton and southmapton linked with william carvalho
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/1422144/everton-join-southampton-and-leicester-in-the-race-to-sign-portugal-and-sporting-lisbon-star-william-carvalho/

Arda Turan and arsenal for £23m
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-transfer-news-rumours-barcelona-8395163

Gotze back to dortmund
http://www.90min.com/posts/3442924-tottenham-set-to-miss-out-on-mario-gotze-as-player-nears-dortmund-return

Berahino rejects west brom deal
http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/west-bromwich-albion-fc/2016/07/11/saido-berahino-set-to-reject-new-contract-to-force-west-brom-exit/

Carvalho and Hjojberg is far too good to be true.

[SincereTheRebel]

Pelle is joined fifth in the higest wages per year according to SSN. Papiss Cisse also has joined pelle at the same club. Allegedly on £9m per year. I imagine china has their own version of totaljobs.co.uk Need to upload my CV. Im available for hire.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) - £18m per year

2. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - £17m per year

3. Hulk (Shanghai SIPG) - £17m per year

4. Neymar (Barcelona) - £16.2m per year

5. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Manchester United) - £13.6m per year

=5. Graziano Pelle (Shandong Luneng) - £13.6m per year

[Foe]

Is carvalho considered a good player?

[Magic]

I've just Wikid him. There is no fucking way he is 24. :D

This is him as a 22 year old:

http://e0.365dm.com/14/07/768x432/football-2014-fifa-world-cup-william-carvalho-portugal_3166334.jpg?20140701175756

[randomlegend]

Carvalho and Hjojberg is far too good to be true.

You know Hojbjerg is official, yeah?

[Lewis]

lol at Arda Turan.

[Jeet]

lol at Arda Turan.

Better option than Ox or shifting Ramsey to play on the right.

[Lewis]

I meant lol at him getting ditched after sitting half the season out to warm Barcelona's bench.

[bruhnaldo]

Probably means cause he sat out at Barca for half a season and they turned around and said "hey thanks mate but you can fuck off now"

Edit: Well, then. What he said.

[Andy]

You know Hojbjerg is official, yeah?

Yep. Great signing from the looks of things.

[Andy]

Is carvalho considered a good player?

He would be at Southampton, just what we need.

[Gray Fox]

Southampton are becoming the English Porto. Very smart transfer business in buying great potential players and then actually having them play(madness!), then selling them off for 23435452% profit. Hopefully they can push on and stick top 6.

[Bob Sacamano]

Actually thought Danilo looked pretty good, maybe a cheaper version of Carvalho albeit a little older

[Reg]

Southampton seem incredibly well run. I would be jealous but...Bloom and Hughton. :halm:

We've turned down £4m for Stephens from Burnley. I think we'll keep everyone this summer.

[Max Power]

Burnley asking £20m for Keane and chucking tiny bids in for other teams players lol

Got to start spending more "pound notes" now Dychey mate. It goes both ways.

[Raoul Duke]

Southampton are becoming the English Porto. Very smart transfer business in buying great potential players and then actually having them play(madness!), then selling them off for 23435452% profit to Liverpool, whereby they turn shite. Hopefully they can push on and stick top 6.

Fixed that for you :thbup:

[Gray Fox]

Bless you. Assuming we're not already shite.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36761907

Spurs have signed a Dutch striker from the Eredivise.

:harold:

[SincereTheRebel]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36761907

Spurs have signed a Dutch striker from the Eredivise.

:harold:

Strikers in that league that score goals have a 1% chance of doing well once they leave. That thread from the previous forum was one of the best reads on the internet about it.

[SincereTheRebel]

nick powell on the way to wolves
http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2016/07/11/nick-powell-has-agreed-to-join-wolves-says-hull-boss/

Icardi linked with tottenham, liverpool and arsenal
http://metro.co.uk/2016/07/11/mauro-icardis-wife-claims-inter-milan-want-to-sell-striker-this-summer-6000946/

Mata back to spain
http://www.villarrealusa.com/2016/7/11/12149538/juan-mata-to-villarreal

alex manninger training with liverpool
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3684850/Liverpool-look-former-Arsenal-goalkeeper-Alex-Manninger-view-signing-Austrian-blast-past.html

Scott sinclair reunited with brendan rogers
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/celtic-up-ante-move-scott-8399080

Talisca claims he wants to join liverpool
http://metro.co.uk/2016/07/10/benficas-anderson-talisca-tells-friends-hes-anxious-for-liverpool-transfer-5997668/

[ItalAussie]

Alex Manninger is still kicking around? Good on him.

[SincereTheRebel]

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11678/10499270/newcastles-moussa-sissoko-wants-quick-transfer-despite-16335m-price-tag

He was playing for his freedom during the euros. He was running around like a complete mad man. He is used out wide, but given im an FM addict, isnt he better suited playing in the center?.

[niko_cee]

Playing 'well' has probably made it less likely that he'll get a move.

[Davgooner]

We'll buy him for £50m on deadline day.

[niko_cee]

By deadline day £50m will be the going rate for Jermaine Beckford.

[Byron]

Chelsea's attempts to sign midfielder N'Golo Kante are complicated by interest from China and the efforts of several Leicester players to convince him to stay, reports the London Evening Standard

They say Chinese club Shanghai SIPG have raised the stakes by indicating they are prepared to pay £35m.

Kante's release clause is said to be £20m.

Premier League champions Leicester can offer Champions League football next season, while Chelsea missed out on Europe.

That's it, I'm done, stop the ride.

[Magic]

I fucking hate football.

[Vim]

The rumours are most likely false, but if Higuain does go to Juve, I think Naples as a city would end.

[five time]

If the release clause was real and not made up by a newspaper then what difference would it make if Shanghai or Diljeet decided to bid 35M?

[Mellberg]

It's bollocks. Chelsea's offer would still be accepted as it matches the release clause, then the Chinese club would have to offer Kante ridiculous personal terms and possibly threaten his family to have him pick them over Chelsea. There is no point whatsoever in bidding 35m. If you're going to blag a story at least activate your brain.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Kanté wins the title and has the choice of joining an abysmal Chelsea side, or Shanghai Sweet & Sour managed by Sven.

Silly, silly game.

[Max Power]

Apparently his clause only applies if one club meets it. If another club goes above it then it doesn't count. So our old mate Sven has whacked a bid in so we can name our price for Kante.

Sounds like nonsense but it's been reported from multiple sources.

[Lewis]

That would explain why half of Europe hasn't stuck a bid in.

[Kikó]

http://mobile.wiganlatics.co.uk//news/article/2016-17/signing-nick-powell-returns-to-wigan-athletic-3182248.aspx

Massive loss to the club.

[Shindig]

Readying the Carrollcopter for a deadline day bid for Sissoko by Spurs.

[Yevrah]

Apparently his clause only applies if one club meets it. If another club goes above it then it doesn't count. So our old mate Sven has whacked a bid in so we can name our price for Kante.

Sounds like nonsense but it's been reported from multiple sources.

Sven. :hail:

He really is the gift that keeps on giving.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Hal Robson Kanu has been offered £100k a week to join the Chinese league.

[Byron]

Wat.

[Shindig]

"You mean there's a league worse in quality than the Championship that pays more money?"

[SincereTheRebel]

Kante has been offered a new deal by leicester before the euros started. SSN are reporting the agreed fee with chelsea for £29m is pure garbage and not true.

Man city told to pay 20 euros for bravo
http://www.sport-english.com/en/news/barca/barcelona-are-willing-listen-offers-for-claudio-bravo-5262982

[SincereTheRebel]

Skrtel completes move to turkey
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3688038/Martin-Skrtel-greeted-Fenerbahce-fans-Istanbul-s-airport-Liverpool-FC-defender-nears-5m-move.html

Rugani bid rejected from arsenal
http://metro.co.uk/2016/07/13/arsenal-fail-with-25m-daniele-rugani-transfer-bid-6003397/

Juventus want benzema
http://www.90min.com/posts/3454787-juventus-linked-with-approach-for-under-threat-real-madrid-striker-karim-benzema

Fabregas linked with man utd
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/manchester-united-eye-cesc-fabregas-8407623

[Lewis]

Having built 'Pep' up over all these years, the media will be a bit stuck if ditching Joe Hart is his first big decision. Oh, erm, well he likes a goalkeeper who can pass...

[SincereTheRebel]

Joe Hart has made some awful mistakes in a man city and england shirt. He let bale score from the half way line on some match fixing move in the euros. Wouldnt surprise me if he was cut off by pep.

[Vim]

Joe Hart's not good enough.

[SincereTheRebel]

He is an english son. Which as we know, are really hard to find at this level and can cost a fortune.

[Smiffy]

.....

[SvN]

I'm actually surprised he didn't go for Valdes.

[Lewis]

I got a letter published on Football365. :cool:

[SincereTheRebel]

I got a letter published on Football365. :cool:

Link or it didnt happen

[Pepe]

It better have at least 3 TTHisms.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Man United need a worldwide star
There’s been a fair amount of eyebrows raised in the Mailbox about the fee being quoted for Pogba, but I think a lot of people are missing the point of what Manchester United are these days. Obviously, Pogba is an excellent player, young and plays in a position that we desperately need to strengthen. This is does not make him a £100m player. However, what does make him so valuable is his marketing potential. United now exist as a superclub, alongside the likes of Real, Barcelona, Bayern and co., and get paid fortunes by other companies to have their household names hawk products to their customers. In order for this to work, the club needs one or two players that exist in a different stratosphere, people that are recognised from Sacramento to Shanghai. For the last few seasons, United have had one player that fits this mould; Wayne Rooney. If we’re endorsing a big product, you can guarantee Wayne’s face will be the first you see. Sure, we’ve added Zlatan who fits this bill, but the guy is 34.

The suits will have noticed the decline in Rooney, and will be well aware that we’re going to need to replace our face of marketing going forward; I’m sure this is one of the reasons behind the repeated failed moves for the likes of Neymar, Bale, Ronaldo etc. Pogba is already a huge name in international football and I imagine is being groomed by the PR-Marketing sh*tehawks as being one of the players to take up the mantle with Bale and Neymar when time’s withered claw eventually catches up with Messi and Ronaldo. That’s why we’re willing to break the bank for him, and yes, seeing my club become this is not particularly pleasant, but that’s just the way football has gone. On the plus side, if he does sign, based on my logic it’ll ease Rooney out of the door quicker.
Lewis, Busby Way

http://www.football365.com/news/mails-can-sam-turn-england-into-portugal

[Smiffy]

.....

[SincereTheRebel]

How come i dont see posts like that from lewis on here? Living with a split personality it seems..

[Lewis]

It was in the earlier mailbox. As if I would refer to United as 'we', let alone sign off 'Busby Way'.

[Jimmy Floyd]

'amount of eyebrows'? Back to grammar school for you.

[SincereTheRebel]

It was in the earlier mailbox. As if I would refer to United as 'we', let alone sign off 'Busby Way'.

Stop making excuses.

[SincereTheRebel]

Digne becomes FC Barcelona’s latest signing
https://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/news/2016-2017/lucas-digne-becomes-fc-barcelona-s-latest-signing

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I just checked all mailboxes in the last 7 days. No other 'Lewis' in them.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He even signed it off as 'Hi TTH', Mahow, you useless prick.

[Reg]

I am also useless as I can't find it. Link us up, Lewis.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'd offer the counterpoint to his arguments that the footballers are now less valuable as a proportion of a football club's overall commercial activities than they used to be.

[Lewis]

It's in here (http://www.football365.com/news/its-ozil-thats-arsenals-problem-not-giroud) (I posted the same point here ages ago), and their formatting is rubbish.

[Pepe]

Hi TTH. :D

[Pepe]

I'll stick to the 'football gone mad' narrative btw.

[Reg]

Good point well made, Lewis.

[Gray Fox]

Barcelona have signed 2 Frenchies now. Obviously they've moved on from wanting to win everything to wanting to bottle everything.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They should sign Griezmann. He has a Barcelona face and body, and they need younger blood to replace the OVERRATED Neymar and PAST IT Messi.

[Gray Fox]

They need to buy in a new younger midfield. Iniesta is getting on now and I've never been sold on Sergio Biscuits.

[Magic]

Lol @ Lewbear trying to pathetically justify Pogba.

[Reg]

They need to buy in a new younger midfield. Iniesta is getting on now and I've never been sold on Sergio Biscuits.
Madness. Busquets is fantastic at everything and perfect for them.

Probably right about Iniesta aging though. (He's still class, but they need to replace him sometime.)

[Lewis]

Lol @ Lewbear trying to pathetically justify Pogba.

You killed randomlegend.

[SincereTheRebel]

Madness. Busquets is fantastic at everything and perfect for them.

Probably right about Iniesta aging though. (He's still class, but they need to replace him sometime.)

I would say fabregas would be the ideal replacement for iniesta. You kind of forget that fabregas already spent three seasons at barcelona. I felt unfortunate for him thinking about his time there. Barcelona thought he was equal to messi playing him in that false nine position and it didnt really work as they expected.

[Gray Fox]

Apparently Higuain has rejected an £800k p/w offer to play in China.

Barca(mate) could do with buying Coutinho and having Iniesta take him under his wing. Teach him some consistency. Or maybe see how good Rafinha is.

[Magic]

You killed randomlegend.

:(

[Reg]

SincereTheRebel People were harsh on his time there. I think I heard he played more games than Xavi during one of those seasons. According to wiki he also scored 28 goals overall. Every time I saw him he played well.

I can't see him going back (for the second time). It was his decision to leave apparently.

[SincereTheRebel]

Apparently Higuain has rejected an £800k p/w offer to play in China.

Barca(mate) could do with buying Coutinho and having Iniesta take him under his wing. Teach him some consistency. Or maybe see how good Rafinha is.

I undsrstand the interest in higuain but he has scored 15+ goals for 8 years now. How much longer can he keep that up for? The price floating aroubd is mental. He will be near the zlatan/henry/c.ronaldo/messi levels if he carries on that scoring rate.

[John]

Mahow's posted that first letter because he thought 'withered claw' was a dig at him.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Didn't even spot that, Christ.

Cracking spot :(

[bruhnaldo]

I've only been published on f365 for my white knighting of Ashley Young.

[Gray Fox]

I undsrstand the interest in higuain but he has scored 15+ goals for 8 years now. How much longer can he keep that up for? The price floating aroubd is mental. He will be near the zlatan/henry/c.ronaldo/messi levels if he carries on that scoring rate.

I'd say a fair bit. He is one who could well go on scoring into his mid 30's. 36 goals in 35 games in Italy of all places is ridiculously good. I'm amazed someone like Tottenham or Arsenal aren't trying to sign him yet.

[Waffdon]

Notorious bottler.

[Magic]

I'd say a fair bit. He is one who could well go on scoring into his mid 30's. 36 goals in 35 games in Italy of all places is ridiculously good. I'm amazed someone like Tottenham or Arsenal aren't trying to sign him yet.

Is it? Italian football isn't close knit defensive shit anymore.

[Gray Fox]

Is it? Italian football isn't close knit defensive shit anymore.

He was the only guy who broke 20 goals, never mind 30. He nearly doubled Dybala in 2nd. It's still the most defensive of the top 5 leagues in Europe too.

[Pepe]

Higuain is shit.

[Reg]

Top scorers' numbers from the last couple seasons:

Serie A 15/16 season: 36, 19, 18, 16
14/15 season: 22, 22, 20, 18

Prem 15/16 season: 25, 24, 24, 18
14/15 season: 26, 21, 20, 18

Not a whole lot to take from that except that Higuain is the standout with comfortably more than anyone else last season (he was also the '18' the previous season). He was playing for Napoli as well, far from the best team last season.

[Magic]

He ain't shit without Marek.

[Baz]

How many did Eder get? Also why is he a Sampdoria player on loan at Inter? (Only know this cos I bet on him a few times)

[randomlegend]

I was reading yesterday that one of the Milan clubs (they both have chinese owners now right?) were planning to have their owner's buy players for their Chinese team and then loan them to them, to bypass FFP.

That's so lol if true.

[Vim]

How many did Eder get? Also why is he a Sampdoria player on loan at Inter? (Only know this cos I bet on him a few times)

Is that not normal in Premier League? It's normal in Italy to loan players with option/obligation to buy, loans aren't just for young players.

[Magic]

No Cellino is doing this at Leeds. Here's a novel idea: don't loan shite on the first place and buy someone fucking decent.

[The Merse]

Is that not normal in Premier League? It's normal in Italy to loan players with option/obligation to buy, loans aren't just for young players.

Is co-ownership still allowed or did they do away with that with the Uefa third party regulation? It used to be that players were rarely loaned in Italy and normally were co-owned but I don't seem to come across any these days. The likes of Nicola Ventola were co-owned for half their careers.

[Vim]

Co-ownership stopped being allowed a couple years ago. Players actually weren't rarely loaned, co-ownership and loans were both widely used; loans were actually more common for senior players (like Eder to Inter) whereas big teams often used co-ownership to buy half of promising youngsters from another team.

The end of co-ownership is still not really a problem for Italian clubs, for example Juve made a couple of agreements with Sassuolo and Empoli to buy players with a clause that Juve can bring them in after x years.

[randomlegend]

Bild are apparently reporting that Man City have agreed to sign Sane.

[Kikó]

They've got to be out of their minds.

[randomlegend]

Also Ibrahimovic's chef has tweeted a picture of himself with Pogba, saying he's "Man Utd bound" :D

[Jimmy Floyd]

Here's the picture:

http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/uncyclopedia/images/f/ff/Swedish_chef.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20050821062159

[Lewis]

Is it true that John Stones cried when some Everton fans had a go at him at a motorway services? If so, I bet he melts under this (https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/1438740/manchester-city-set-to-land-everton-and-england-centre-back-john-stones-after-bidding-53million/) sort of expectation.

[SincereTheRebel]

mata and fellani set to stay
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3689894/Juan-Mata-Marouane-Fellaini-Daley-Blind-set-given-Manchester-United-lifelines-Jose-Mourinho-pre-season.html

Benati signs for juventus
http://www.espnfc.com/story/2912626/bayern-munich-defender-medhi-benatia-arrives-for-juventus-medical

one jesus swaps inter for roma
http://www.football-italia.net/87322/juan-jesus-goodbye-inter

Leicester enquire about rami
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/1443348/leicester-transfer-news-claudio-ranieri-makes-enquiry-to-sign-sevilla-and-france-star-adil-rami-for-champions-league-bow/

Allen set for talks with klopp
http://www.espnfc.co.uk/liverpool/story/2912476/liverpool-must-make-joe-allen-decisions-jurgen-klopp

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'm glad that Blind seems to be staying, Mata it depends but you'd imagine he's not going to last long but Fellaini? Fucking hell.

He must have dirt on every fucking manager.

[Lewis]

It's only a 'lifeline'. He'll chuck them in August.

[Andy]

Blind would be perfect at Southampton.

[John]

Takeover documents have been sent to the FA according the official site. We're getting taken over by a god damn billionaire. :drool:.

With Julen Lopetegui, formerly of Porto, in as manager and a twenty one million quid bid in for Anderson Talisca from Benfica. I wonder who's brokering that deal.

Liverpool were in for that Talisca before and I don't remember hearing anything about them pulling out, so if they're beaten to him by a Championship side I reckon I'll lol myself ill.

[Sam]

With Julen Lopetegui, formerly of Porto, in as manager and a twenty one million quid bid in for Anderson Talisca from Benfica. I wonder who's brokering that deal.

Liverpool were in for that Talisca before and I don't remember hearing anything about them pulling out, so if they're beaten to him by a Championship side I reckon I'll lol myself ill.

The one and only Mr.Mendes of course.

[niko_cee]

Ibe to Bournemouth for £15m is done.

Barely worth commenting on the madness of it all.

[Disco]

Ibe to Bournemouth for £15m is done.

Barely worth commenting on the madness of it all.

I know, Liverpool on the other end of a silly money transfer, who'd have thunk it.

[niko_cee]

Hopefully Wycombe have a good slice of it.

[Giggles]

Taz has the blades out.

[Amigo]

Guðjohnsen's oldest kid has signed for my local team - Valur.

http://fotbolti.net/images/news/223000/223831/700w.jpg

Three generations of Guðjohnsens that have played for them now.

[Vim]

Apparently Juve have really been in contact with Higuain and have an agreement of €7.5 million per season. He has a €94 million release clause and Juve is now trying to throw the likes of Pereyra into the deal to bring that price tag down.

If Higuain comes to Juve it could well lead to civil war in Italy.

[GS]

The north would level the south, so I wouldn't worry.

[Raoul Duke]

Spending that Pogba money :drool:

[niko_cee]

The south will collapse all their (precious) banks.

Does the north of Italy even exist as anything other than a geographical coincidence? A bunch of squabbling city states.

[GS]

You can put a line across the country around the plains of Lazio, and if the bottom half drifted into the sea and sank nobody would care.

[Vim]

Yeah, it's possible that the €94M would only be paid if Pogba leaves. However, it is split in two years and with a proper Champions League run it would be affordable even keeping Pogba. I'm pretty sure that as things stand, Pogba will stay at Juve.

Imagine that ... Buffon; Dani Alves, Bonucci, Chiellini, Sandro; Khedira, Marchisio, Pogba; Pjanic; Dybala, Higuain.

[Gray Fox]

He's gone to that great shirt pulling place in the sky...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36784684

[Lewis]

It's like when the Zinedine Zidane transfer set off a massive transfer lolfest in Italy. Napoli will buy a load of rubbish from Fiorentina et al, who will buy their own crap from Milan or whoever is terrible, and somebody will end up bankrupt. Probably Napoli.

[niko_cee]

As long as at least one of them can find a home for our Mario.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Italy looks to me as if Juventus have gone full Bayern and are just able to suck the life out of it. I like to imagine they even have a behind-the-scenes lineup of Ciro Ferrara, Moreno Torricelli, Angelo Di Livio and various other old boys to mirror the Bayern setup.

[Lewis]

It must be worse, seeing as Franz Beckenbauer has never booted anybody off a balcony.

[Spoonsky]

Guðjohnsen's oldest kid has signed for my local team - Valur.

http://fotbolti.net/images/news/223000/223831/700w.jpg

Three generations of Guðjohnsens that have played for them now.

There's a Valur cap sitting in my bedroom, as it happens.

[Byron]

The south will collapse all their (precious) banks.

Does the north of Italy even exist as anything other than a geographical coincidence? A bunch of squabbling city states.

To be fair, that's how they acted prior to Italy even being a thing. Milan, Genoa and Venice all trying to out do each other.

Amalfi and Bari tried to pretend they were big players as well, but the other three just lolled them out of any serious discussions.

[SincereTheRebel]

Swansea target joe allen return
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11731/10502207/swansea-target-transfer-of-joe-allen-from-liverpool-sky-sources

Wolfsburg claim draxler is 100% staying
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/wolfsburg-insist-arsenal-target-julian-8426157

Barcelona reach an agreement with vietto
http://www.sport-english.com/en/news/barca/barcelona-have-reached-agreement-with-luciano-vietto-5267225

Tottenham target wijnaldum
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3690989/Georginio-Wijnaldum-tops-Tottenham-wish-list-Newcastle-hold-firm-25m-price.html

Gomis off to marseille
http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/gomis-days-away-swansea-exit

Dortmund target shaqiri
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/1446717/borussia-dortmund-target-stokes-xherdan-shaqiri-to-replace-new-manchester-united-playmaker-henrikh-mkhitaryan/

[niko_cee]

Swansea will need to be giving us most of their TV money to sign Euro 2016 Team of the Tournament Joe Allen.

Look how much Newcastle want for their giant malco.

[randomlegend]

Kante to Chelsea is supposedly 'done'.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Don't tease me.

[Max Power]

Absolute bargain for £30m. Seething.

[SincereTheRebel]

That conte kante deal if it goes through, is mega for £30m.

[Jimmy Floyd]

In a world where they offered about that for Troy Deeney...

[SincereTheRebel]

basel sign FM god balanta
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-3691951/Swiss-champion-Basel-signs-Colombia-defender-Eder-Balanta.html

[bruhnaldo]

That's what the twatter was saying all morning.

Five year deal, even.

edit: @Jimmy

[Jeet]

Can the rest of the clubs leave a striker for Arsene please.

[Gray Fox]

Balotelli is available.

[Gray Fox]

Apparently a loan deal to take Lucas to Galatasaray has been agreed. At least give him his testimonial year for fucks sake.

[Lewis]

Why have Leicester accepted that? Is his contract nearly up?

[Giggles]

Why have Leicester accepted that? Is his contract nearly up?

Release clause isn't it?

[Lewis]

That was supposed to be lower, so if that doesn't apply why haven't they held out for forty-plus?

[John]

We're nicking a young striker off Leicester too. Joe Dodoo.

[Reg]

That was supposed to be lower, so if that doesn't apply why haven't they held out for forty-plus?
He had already told them he wanted to leave this summer.

I think they'll win it now. Man City second.

[Max Power]

Our Director of Football is a div that's why. He's worth £50m in this market

[Giggles]

Our Director of Football is a div that's why. He's worth £50m in this market

You won the league, so you can ever complain about anything to do with the club again for at least 15 years.

[Max Power]

We won the league so we have to give our best players away for less than market value why? To make things fairer for everyone else?

Course it doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things (CHAMPIONS) but I am a bit seething that one of the best players in the country is going for what amounts to a small fee in this inflated market.

[Lee]

Just give the title to Chelsea tbh. Kante is that good.

[Max Power]

Mahrez off as well ffs.

Just hope we can keep West Brom away from Schlupp.

[SvN]

Where is he off to?

[Max Power]

He's not signing a new contract and has said he wants to leave apparently.

Probabaly got a £10m release clause or something.

[SvN]

We'll give you £8million and Phil Jones (FEC) on loan for the season.

[Lee]

Is there anything in the Mahrez stuff? It seems a lot less certain than the Kante rumours have been. If Walsh goes to Everton as well....

Rudkin. :face:

[Lewis]

Jamie Vardy must be seething.

[SvN]

Jesus fucking Christ, look at the state of this twat

https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/spl1317913_001jpg-js251769549.jpg?w=846

[Kikó]

Him and Fellaini :mrgreen:

[Lewis]

Somebody should doorstep Taz for a response if they sign him.

[randomlegend]

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/744613501285638144/Z9WMAGlv.jpg

Fellaini hasn't even got the best afro at Utd any more, what's even the point of him?

[SincereTheRebel]

Thats a strong nose i would be proud to have.

[Andy]

We're nicking a young striker off Leicester too. Joe Dodoo.

Is he the one who scored a hat trick last season?

[Andy]

We won the league so we have to give our best players away for less than market value why? To make things fairer for everyone else?

Course it doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things (CHAMPIONS) but I am a bit seething that one of the best players in the country is going for what amounts to a small fee in this inflated market.


I'm sure the club have been aware of those for a while and have targets lined up. Transfer fees and money is getting to the state where is almost irrelevant now with the Premier League wealth. Doesn't matter if you sell Kante for 30m or 100m you can afford any replacement.

[Lee]

Is he the one who scored a hat trick last season?

Was it last season? Bloody hell that feels like ages ago now. Hope he does well.

[SincereTheRebel]

how many contracts has kante signed at leicester? Why would there be a random mimimum fee realase clause there. Leicester have amazing foresight if you understand what i mean

[Raoul Duke]

Leicester already bought Mendy (?) who's basically a Kante regen

[Max Power]

He's small, black and French but I'm not sure they are so similar in style

[Mellberg]

Kante deal done.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Word is that West Ham are considering a move for Hamez.

The world we live in...

[Magic]

What are the odds on Leicester being relegated?

[Kikó]

5000-1.

[Lee]

What are the odds on Leicester being relegated?

We're not going down. We won't be anywhere near going down.

[Magic]

:harold:

[Shindig]

This could all go a bit Blackburn.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Kanté is my favourite incoming transfer since Drogba I reckon. What a geezer.

Soz Lester.

[Giggles]

How much of a bump will he get? Had he even got another Leicester offer?

[Max Power]

We offered 100k and apparently he's getting 150k at The Pensioners

[Vim]

Is there a specific reason that you guys talk about weekly wages as opposed to yearly? We use yearly down in Italy.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The traditional working class wage here is/was paid weekly, and football is a working class game.

[Magic]

It also sounds less worse than £12m per annum.

[Giggles]

We offered 100k and apparently he's getting 150k at The Pensioners

Can't argue with 50% better really, though I'd love to have seen him still at Leicester for another year.

[Vim]

It also sounds less worse than £12m per annum.

It does, but personally it's because saying 100K per week doesn't actually give me an idea of how much a club is spending. 12 million in one year is a clear figure which you can easily compare to transfer fees, sponsor payments and the income of the club in general.

[Giggles]

It does, but personally it's because saying 100K per week doesn't actually give me an idea of how much a club is spending. 12 million in one year is a clear figure which you can easily compare to transfer fees, sponsor payments and the income of the club in general.

It'd exactly the same for me the other way. If someone says a player is on X amount a year, it means absolutely nothing to me as regards it being a lot or not until I divide it by 52 in my head.

[Lee]

Kante is a brilliant signing for Chelsea. Absolutely brilliant.

Magic's apparently ongoing bitterness at Leicester winning the league is amusing. We've sold a player, mate. Ranieri is an outstanding coach and won't have us near the bottom three. Look at his record; a single relegation with an Atletico in financial meltdown.

Mind you I still won't care if we do. We'll go down eventually. But this time it will be with a league title to our name, which seems a reasonable deal to me.

Back on to Kante; I'm not sure if it's going to have that big an impact on us, and I'm on redord as believing him to have been our most important player last season. There are whispers that we'll be changing the way we play and going with three in the middle, which would reduce our reliance on Kante doing the job of two men. I'd love to see Inler step up now.

[Giggles]

Kante is a brilliant signing for Chelsea. Absolutely brilliant.

Magic's apparently ongoing bitterness at Leicester winning the league is amusing. We've sold a player, mate. Ranieri is an outstanding coach and won't have us near the bottom three. Look at his record; a single relegation with an Atletico in financial meltdown.

Mind you I still won't care if we do. We'll go down eventually. But this time it will be with a league title to our name, which seems a reasonable deal to me.

And back up before Leeds ever manage it :harold:

[Kikó]

It does, but personally it's because saying 100K per week doesn't actually give me an idea of how much a club is spending. 12 million in one year is a clear figure which you can easily compare to transfer fees, sponsor payments and the income of the club in general.

This has got to be one of the most boring things to ever know.

"Oh that's 1% of our total revenue we receive from our Malaysian cream cracker tie in!!"

[GS]

Weekly wages is much like imperial measurements. I can't get my head around this 'European' method of doing things. I still work everything out in inches, feet, yards, miles, ounces, pounds, stones, pints etc.

[Giggles]

I've came round to km, mainly due to being on motorways so much that it's easy to judge the travel time as being half the distance at the speed limit, but the rest of metric mean nothing to me. If someone says they're so 1.3 metres tall and 100kg then I've just to start converting.
Takes time for it to come naturally.

[Lee]

I prefer km to miles. I can't move on from stone and lbs though.

[Kikó]

I've got to kgs for my weight and it's easier for me to understand distance when running by km. It's all a mess.

[-james-]

No relevant thread but potential career ender for Dem Baba just now.

https://twitter.com/reinaldoandrade/status/754661796590522368

:|

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Jesus, it's like jelly.

[Lewis]

Do actual breaks end [top flight] careers these days, or do the players just never recover their confidence?

[SincereTheRebel]

Liveprool to sign ragnar klavan
http://www.espnfc.com/story/2913959/liverpool-set-to-sign-augsburg-defender-ragnar-klavan-source

Bayern munich eye Koscielny
http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/690166/Bayern-Munich-eye-move-Arsenal-star-Laurent-Koscielny-Contract-talks-stalled-News-Gossip

Cuadradoto return to chelsea
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36823212

Swansea want enner valencia
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/swansea-lazio-bidding-war-enner-8438208

Georges-Kevin Nkoudou agreed deal with tottenham
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jul/17/tottenham-agree-deal-sign-georges-kevin-nkoudou-marseille

Liverpool favourites to sign wijnaldum
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/07/17/liverpool-chase-newcastle-midfielder-georginio-wijnaldum-as-jurg/

[P_3]

Don't want any more attacking midfielders. Just stop it Klopp.

[Weaver]

Don't want any more attacking midfielders. Just stop it Klopp.

Give us £60m for Wijnaldum and Sissoko, and we'll throw in José Enrique's enthusiasm from the other year.

[SincereTheRebel]

Adem Ljajic joins torino for €8.5 m
http://www.espnfc.com/story/2914252/torino-sign-forward-adem-ljajic-and-midfielder-iago-falque-from-roma

Juventus will not be meeting higuains release clause
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/gonzalo-higuain-not-join-juventus-8444626

Pogba's agent is currently in the UK
http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/690825/Manchester-United-Transfer-News-Gossip-Rumours-Mino-Raiola-Talks-Paul-Pogba-Contract

RVP and possible premier league return
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3696446/Stoke-City-enter-race-sign-Robin-van-Persie-Mark-Hughes-looks-strike-deal-highly-paid-Fenerbahce-striker.html

Gaston ramirez to join boro on a three year deal
http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/gaston-ramirez-joins-up-middlesbrough-11628176

[Vim]

Juve will only sell Pogba if he hands in a transfer request. I can't see that happening honestly, unless it's Madrid/Barca knocking on the door.

As for Torino, they've got both Ljajic and Iago Falque to join; if they click, I wouldn't be surprised to see them above Milan into the Europa League spots.

[SincereTheRebel]

Stoke bid £20m for berahino
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/10505875/stoke-make-16320m-saido-berahino-offer-to-west-brom

Negredo set medical at boro
http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/alvaro-negredos-middlesbrough-fc-transfer-11632915

Juventus want matic for £15m
http://www.espnfc.co.uk/story/2913445/juventus-confident-of-signing-nemanja-matic-from-chelsea-sources

Arsenal bid for rob holding
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36833562

[Lewis]

These Paul Pogba stories are encouraging for those of us with nothing to do this summer. Ten weeks of checking Twitter and being disappointed. You beauty.

This looks to be running its course (whatever the outcome), so what am I meant to do for the next six weeks?

[randomlegend]

Watch highlight videos of him on YouTube, obviously.

[Davgooner]

There don't appear to be many highlight videos of Rob Holding. :confused:

Strange.

[Lewis]

Watch highlight videos of him on YouTube, obviously.

There is a 'Welcome to Manchester United' one up. And fucking Vim said it isn't likely. :harold:

[randomlegend]

Juve lot are in denial.

[Lewis]

Seething into their gelato.

[SincereTheRebel]

Nico Gaitan looks seto to move from man utd to a.madrid
http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2016/07/19/portada/1468936980_509899.html

Man city have made an official approach for reece oxford
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/07/19/manchester-city-make-official-approach-for-west-ham-starlet-reec/

Chelsea reject bid for defender
http://www.westlondonsport.com/chelsea/chelsea-reject-bid-defender-wls-football

[niko_cee]

Aside from having a good game against Arsenal on the opening day did that Oxford chap do much last season?

[Lewis]

No, which is why he's so cheap.

[SincereTheRebel]

Young
English
Prospect

[Kikó]

I like that we are still linked with Gaitan even though he moved only this summer.

I've just spotted Garay in Lou Macari's.

[randomlegend]

When's Pogba signing keeks?

[Raoul Duke]

For Utd, in a couple of weeks.

For Real Madrid, in a couple of years time.

[randomlegend]

I understand that all the Spanish/Portuguese/south American? players desperately want to play for Madrid/Barcelona but is it the same for someone like Pogba?

I presumed he just wants to play for 'the best'. If we can push on and actually be good again then maybe he'd be inclined to stay.

[Lewis]

For Real Madrid, in a couple of years time.

They won't be able to afford him. :cool:

[Giggles]

I understand that all the Spanish/Portuguese/south American? players desperately want to play for Madrid/Barcelona but is it the same for someone like Pogba?

I presumed he just wants to play for 'the best'. If we can push on and actually be good again then maybe he'd be inclined to stay.

Depends on how good he gets. Madrid/Barcelona is the next step up the pecking order for the very best.

[randomlegend]

That depends what happens in the next few years though, surely. If we got back to genuinely challenging for the champions league again, that would change, no?

[Raoul Duke]

Right now they're the top level. But we can probably pay more.

[GS]

Real/Barca will always be the top, TOP level. Just accept it.

[randomlegend]

I'm sure people said the same about Liverpool at one time.

[Giggles]

I'm sure people said the same about Liverpool at one time.

The Spaniards will be for the foeseeable. Top players generally go to England and then if they become TOP TOP they'll earn their move to the big two.

[GS]

It's not 1981 any more.

[Waffdon]

We've signed some old geezer who was playing in the Everdivise last year and he looks like a God.

[Reg]

Solly March has turned down a 2 year extension. :( Someone like Hull are probably gonna nick him. One to watch for if he gets into the Prem.

[Lee]

They won't always be the top level. It's cyclical.

[Vim]

I understand that all the Spanish/Portuguese/south American? players desperately want to play for Madrid/Barcelona but is it the same for someone like Pogba?

I presumed he just wants to play for 'the best'.

Yes, exactly, he wants to play for 'the best', which is why I'm only worried about Madrid or Barca getting him. Man Utd are not in the top 5 teams in the world unlike the team he's at now.

[Giggles]

They won't always be the top level. It's cyclical.

Yeah but Pogba will be retired by then.

[randomlegend]

Yes, exactly, he wants to play for 'the best', which is why I'm only worried about Madrid or Barca getting him. Man Utd are not in the top 5 teams in the world unlike the team he's at now.

It's happening mate.

[Vim]

No chance bruh.

[Giggles]

I hope he goes to Real for the lol at both of you.

[Reg]

Man City are about to sign Sane for £42m.

Pep has got to buy some experienced players, surely? Gundogan isn't enough.

[Lewis]

I've just found the top five teams in the world table. You've got Real Madrid and Barcelona at the top, as you might expect, but then it just says 'lololol hundred million quid Jose Mourinho mate'. I can't see Juventus mentioned anywhere.

[Giggles]

Man City are about to sign Sane for £42m.

Pep has got to buy some experienced players, surely? Gundogan isn't enough.

I've no idea who that is, but I thought it said Mane for a second.

[Reg]

It's started.


https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jul/19/juventus-manchester-united-paul-pogba-opening-bid

Juventus have rejected Manchester United’s first offer for Paul Pogba worth a total of £100m with £13m of that in performance-related add-ons.

The Serie A club want United to pay £100m with a further £8m in add-ons, which would make the Frenchman the most expensive player ever.

Manchester United’s executive vice-chairman, Ed Woodward, met the Juventus directors Giuseppe Marotta and Fabio Paratici as well as the player’s agent, Mino Raiola, on Tuesday to discuss a possible transfer but was told that the opening bid fell short of what Juventus want for the player.

It was not all bad news for Manchester United, however, as Raiola told the Juventus officials that he now wants to bring Pogba to the Premier League. Raiola has already overseen the transfers of two of his players, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, to United this summer.

[Shindig]

Gini going for £25m, then. GAINS!

[Reg]

Also interesting:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jul/19/leicester-claudio-ranieri-mahrez-steve-walsh

Steve Walsh, Leicester's head scout, is off to Everton to be their DoF.

[Lewis]

The best thing about it is that it distorts the market for everybody else.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Vim's tears will taste sweeter than fresh vine ripened cherry tomatoes.

[elth]

If they're only quibbling over price...

[SincereTheRebel]

Its early but that link states that juvenus rejected a higher bid and then claim they want less...

[randomlegend]

The sports papers in Italy ran with Pogba having asked to leave today.

[randomlegend]

Its early but that link states that juvenus rejected a higher bid and then claim they want less...

No, it says they rejected a bid of £100m including add-ons (I.e. £87m + £13m in add-ons) and want £100m + £8m in add-ons.

[Andy]

I've not really paid much attention to the whole Pogba saga. Is he actually going to sign for United or is this just the same as the last couple of Summers with Ramos and Neymar?

[randomlegend]

I think there's definitely more in it than the Muller, Neymar, Bale, Ramos etc etc etc stories, but I guess you never really know until it happens.

I've read the Juve lot will only believe it once 'La Stampa' reports it since they are tied to the club, and they are today.

[elth]

Imagine how much money the club could have saved if Fergie hadn't completely ballsed up managing him in the first place.

[Adamski]

He's worth nowhere near that amount of money either, insane. No idea why Juve are even thinking about it.

[niko_cee]

Presumably because if they think about it they can extort some more.

Concepts of value and worth are largely meaningless at that level of the market/nowadays it would seem (perhaps at most levels).

[elth]

I mean he's a 23 year old World XI player on a long term contract at an established high level club who don't need to sell. He's going to cost money.

What would a 23 year old Messi cost in today's market? £150m? More? OK, Pogba isn't *that* good but 75% of someone as good as Messi is still a huge amount.