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

[Vim]

Very, very surprised if he's actually requested a transfer. It will be a step down for us as we were going to have one of the best midfields in the world. Now it remains to be seen who will replace him, I'm hoping Higuain is not the only investment we make with this money; hopefully Marotta has an ace up his sleeve.

The figure that Marotta seems to need to make the sale is €120M plus some bonuses related to future contracts.

[SincereTheRebel]

Subotic move breaks down because of fitness concerns
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/14630087.Neven_Subotic_s_transfer_from_Dortmund_to _Middlesbrough_breaks_down/?ref=twtrec

Divock Origi wanted at athletico madrid
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liverpool-transfer-news-rumours-atletico-8453182

[Adamski]

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.

What do you mean World XI? I have nothing against him but I wouldn't even say he was top 5 central midfielders in the world if I'm honest.

[Lewis]

His game should improve significantly playing with people like Fellaini.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What do you mean World XI? I have nothing against him but I wouldn't even say he was top 5 central midfielders in the world if I'm honest.
https://www.fifpro.org/en/news/fifpro-and-fifa-present-the-2015-world-xi

[Pepe]

I can see him doing well under Mourinho. He seems to be a disciplined lad, is obviously physically gifted and is talented enough.






Fellaini, that is. The Pogba move won't happen.

[SincereTheRebel]

You're ball gobbling fellaini there mahow.

[Pepe]

https://www.fifpro.org/images/World_XI/2015_World_XI/2015-Team-1-1920.jpg

[Pepe]

Iniesta. :D

[Lee]

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.

Our biggest loss of the summer, whatever else happens. We should have chucked money at him and offered the same role. Hopefully his staff are all up on his techniques.

[Lewis]

If this (http://metro.co.uk/2016/07/20/manchester-uniteds-100m-move-for-paul-pogba-is-expensive-but-not-insane-6018603/) becomes the new NET SPEND, remember that I invented it (probably).

[Pepe]

You should be suing their arses.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

They've robbed you.

[Vim]

Pogba possible replacements if he leaves (I'm shocked I'm even entertaining the possibilities): Andre Gomes - but his preferred destination is Madrid, Matic - but Conte is against selling him and Brozovic. I really hope we'd manage to get Brozovic in.

[Manc]

Seething.

The Wijnaldum story seems to be picking up pace. I'll take the kid all day long, but a few have got to leave.

[randomlegend]

Pogba possible replacements if he leaves (I'm shocked I'm even entertaining the possibilities): Andre Gomes - but his preferred destination is Madrid, Matic - but Conte is against selling him and Brozovic. I really hope we'd manage to get Brozovic in.

Reports coming out that it's done :drool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Vim :console:

[-james-]

Patrick Roberts is going to be a brilliant player.

[Vim]

L'Equipe is reporting it, still nothing from Di Marzio. I still don't believe it, just about everyone was sure that Barcelona and perhaps Madrid were the only viable threats.

Either way, €125M is the fee, but 20% of that would go to Pogba.

If we bring Brozovic in to replace him, I'll be happy. He should cost a tad less than a hundred million but has the potential to be world class.

[Lewis]

If Twitter is anything to go by, United have not so much signed Paul Pogba as missed out on Aaron Ramsey.

[Kikó]

20% goes to the agent not Pogba isn't it?

[Lewis]

I know his contract is running out, but what are Liverpool doing accepting thirteen million quid for Joe Allen? If another Premiership club is buying then you have a licence to take the piss.

[niko_cee]

Who's done what now?

£13m probably is taking the piss, mind.

:moop:

[Reg]

It's silly, really, how much a short contract length influences the price when a player with 4 years left could easily sulk himself into a transfer.

[Raoul Duke]

Mario Gomez leaving Turkey - would be a great signing for someone like Leicester. Savvy and still got a lot to prove, coming off a cracking season.

[John]

Aston Villa won't be keeping Petrov around. Fucking twats.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'd wank myself silly if Mario Gomez comes to England.

[Gray Fox]

The Gomez button would need to be embedded.

[Shindig]

Partner him with Mitrovic. Send Riviere the other way. Grant Hanley's coming. I'm told Mario's always wanted to work with him.

[Lewis]

He isn't good enough for a big team, so whoever he signed for would probably have a difficult game every week. That means BOTTLING IT every week.

[SvN]

Gomez and Huntelaar up front for United would see Mahow overheating.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The dream partnership :drool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

In bigger news we're about to sign Joshua Bohui.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/joshua-bohui-manchester-united-transfer-11638861

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2016/07/20/25777272/ranieri-was-lucky-to-win-premier-league-cicinho

Alright Magic.

[Weaver]

756019493210558464

Liverpool :cool:

[SincereTheRebel]

Liverpool appear to be creating a squad full of midfield man. I like Wijnaldum, he looked good everytime i have seen him play for psv, holland and newcastle. Still get excited when i load up my FM 2009 save and he is running my juventus save

[SincereTheRebel]

Gotze rejoins dortmund
http://www.espnfc.com/story/2915563/borussia-dortmund-announce-deal-to-re-sign-mario-gotze-from-bayern-munich

Barcelona sell Halilovic to hamburg for €5m. option of a two year buy back
http://soccerlens.com/barcelona-agree-deal-to-sell-alen-halilovic-to-hamburg/196841/

Alex song going on loan to russia
http://www.espnfc.com/story/2915555/rubin-kazan-set-to-sign-alex-song-from-barcelona

West ham agree fee with ac milan over bacca
http://www.football365.com/news/west-ham-agree-fee-with-milan-striker-bacca

[Adramelch]

If we bring Brozovic in to replace him, I'll be happy. He should cost a tad less than a hundred million but has the potential to be world class.

Didn't he permanently move to Inter this summer?

[Vim]

Yeah, but I can't imagine he'd rather play there than Juve.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

You also can't imagine Pogba moving to United...

[Vim]

I don't expect to be right 100% of the time. As it stands, he's still a Juve player so until the Man Utd website makes it official, I'm right.

Pjaca did his medical today, all good, and it seems we're very close to getting Gabriel Barbosa, that FM wonderkid.

[SincereTheRebel]

Saw a few games from Gabriel Barbosa during copa america. Him and Gabriel Jesus, both looks exciting.

[Lewis]

Leonardo Bonucci was linked with United today, and Jose Mourinho has tapped up that Argie they have a few times. Why not just buy the club? It will be going cheap once these Italian banks blow everything up.

[Lewis]

United have also announced their squad numbers (number six left open for Gaetano Scirea), and Anthony Martial switching to number eleven appears to have caught a load of full kit wankers out. :harold:

[SvN]

Zlatan 9 :cool:

[niko_cee]

Players from Southampton and Newcastle for a combined £60m, what could possibly go wrong?

[Pepe]

United have also announced their squad numbers (number six left open for Gaetano Scirea), and Anthony Martial switching to number eleven appears to have caught a load of full kit wankers out. :harold:

The stuff of nightmares.

[bruhnaldo]

Can't wait to get that MARTIAL 11 tho :drool:

If we actually somehow get Pogba I'm going to end up spending 300$+ on shirts this season smfh

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Or you could just decide not to...

[bruhnaldo]

LMAO silly Mahow. Imagine me not making a cunt of myself and buying every iteration of ZLATAN 9 & POGBA 6 :drool:

[Manc]

It'll be worth it when they finish 5th.

[bruhnaldo]

Oh don't worry, I already look like a dick with my MEMPHIS 7 shirt I can never fucking wear anymore since he's shit.

I will say I'm more trying to start a "collection" than make a fashion statement FWIW (if it's worth anything).

edit: FOSU-MENSAH 24 might be a shout too :drool:

[Shindig]

Excellent. Makes up for the undisclosed (which probably means poor) Cisse money.

[John]

You'd look like a dickhead wearing a 'Memphis 7' shirt even if he was great. Getting a name on the back of your shirt is fine when you're a child, but if you're going to do it as an adult then at least have the dignity not to get the name of someone significantly younger than you.

[Reg]

Wearing what you want is also fine.

[Shindig]

You'd look like a dickhead wearing a 'Memphis 7' shirt even if he was great. Getting a name on the back of your shirt is fine when you're a child, but if you're going to do it as an adult then at least have the dignity not to get the name of someone significantly younger than you.

You sound like you've had a bad experience. I saw someone on Wearside the other day with a Leicester Away top with 'Lineker 10' on the back.

[randomlegend]

but if you're going to do it as an adult then at least have the dignity not to get the name of someone significantly younger than you.

What a bizarre thing to take issue with :D

[Lewis]

I play it safe and either get my own name and number on the back (I used to get sixteen for Roy Keane, but it's been seven for years now), or the number of titles they have won.

[Pen]

If you want to go timeless United on top of 4 and ever under it is the best I have on my centenary kit. Players and titles come and go, but United are 4-ever.

[John]

What a bizarre thing to take issue with :D

It's a bizarre thing to do.

[Lewis]

I had the 2010 goalkeeper kit with 'I - 8 - CITY' on it, but the banter was lost on everyone lolling at me for buying the goalkeeper kit like a fat eight year old.

[Reg]

I play it safe and either get my own name and number on the back (I used to get sixteen for Roy Keane, but it's been seven for years now), or the number of titles they have won.

I had the 2010 goalkeeper kit with 'I - 8 - CITY' on it, but the banter was lost on everyone lolling at me for buying the goalkeeper kit like a fat eight year old.

You would have been the last person I'd expect to be wearing football shirts.

[Boydy]

Is Bruhnaldo factoring the price of shorts and socks into how much he's going to spend?

[Reg]

I had a lovely Italy shirt as a kid, and tore the back of it while hopping over a metal, spiked fence. It stayed on me but connected to the caught part about 10 feet high on the fence.

[niko_cee]

I've no idea about Wijnaldum really, but buying all these costly attacking midfielders makes me think Coutinho could be off somewhere for big money before the window is done, which probably wouldn't be a bad thing.

[Lewis]

You would have been the last person I'd expect to be wearing football shirts.

They're over-priced, half of them look like shit, and I get a right sweat on wearing them (the ones with a collar or a bit of a v-neck are a lifesaver); but it seems like the best way of supporting the lads without actually having to bother going to the games.

[Raoul Duke]

United have also announced their squad numbers (number six left open for Gaetano Scirea), and Anthony Martial switching to number eleven appears to have caught a load of full kit wankers out. :harold:

Januzaj :harold:


You'd look like a dickhead wearing a 'Memphis 7' shirt even if he was great. Getting a name on the back of your shirt is fine when you're a child, but if you're going to do it as an adult then at least have the dignity not to get the name of someone significantly younger than you.

Zlatan is older than me :cool:

[GS]

I don't understand our transfer strategy in the slightest, but who gives a fuck. It's only football, lads.

[randomlegend]

Looks like Madrid are back in the running Lewis mate. :(

[Reg]

Nowadays they should all have superswishmicrotechcoolability™ to stop you being soaked in sweat.

[Shindig]

I've no idea about Wijnaldum really, but buying all these costly attacking midfielders makes me think Coutinho could be off somewhere for big money before the window is done, which probably wouldn't be a bad thing.

At one point Gini seemed like the kind of fella too good for us. Then he nosedived and there became a realisation he was a Dutch Sissoko. Although Steve kept putting him out wide when he was impressing down the middle.

[Reg]

United have also announced their squad numbers (number six left open for Gaetano Scirea), and Anthony Martial switching to number eleven appears to have caught a load of full kit wankers out. :harold:
Bailly = 3

Possibly an indication of Mourinho intending to play him first choice left back? Tough, tall, defensive fullback similar to Ivanovic. (He apparently played left and right back as well as CB last season.)

[Lewis]

I have a theory that the sweating is from concentrating on not falling over in my boots, but it might also be the hat and half-and-half scarves.

[Manc]

You'd hope Wijnaldum would be used in the midfield three rather than up top.

[Lewis]

Bailly = 3

Possibly an indication of Mourinho intending to play him first choice left back? Tough, tall, defensive fullback similar to Ivanovic. (He apparently played left and right back as well as CB last season.)

I think it's more that Luke Shaw is a dickhead who doesn't understand how squad numbers are meant to work.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Speaking of kits. The greatest thing I ever saw was a kid wearing a Tottenham shit with 'Sheringham 10' on the back.

Teddy had just been sold to United though so he had taken a permanent marker, crossed out 'Sheringham' and had written 'Ferdinand' just above.

It was amazing.

[Danny]

I bought a Beckham top weeks before he went to Madrid :(

[Reg]

Wasn't it pretty much nailed on that he was gone during that game when he came off the bench and scored twice v Real Madrid? Or was that after you bought it?

I remember him clapping the Madrid fans but could have imagined that.

One of the best games I've ever seen probably. Ronaldo was unreal.

[Bernanke]

Swedish media are reporting that Chelsea have met Benficas release clause for Victor Nilsson Lindelöf at around £30 million.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36857733


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Dd4idrnQ8s

No smoke without fire lads.

[Giggles]

Is it not just a whole lot handier to buy one with no name or number on the back?

[Andy]

Any adult who buys a kit with a name and number deserves the player to leave ASAP. Wankery of the highest order.

[Mazuuurk]

Shut up, I still have fond memories of my, now lost it seems, George Weah Milan shirt that I had when I was like 12.

Yes, I was like 12, but I would damn well buy another Weah shirt if I could find it today.

[SincereTheRebel]

Everton are lining up sigurdsson for £25m
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/07/21/everton-line-up-a-25-million-bid-for-gylfi-sigurdsson/

Barcelona have reached an agreement for andre gomes
https://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/news/2016-2017/agreement-with-valencia-for-andre-gomes

Cavani is wanted by chelsea
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jul/22/football-transfer-rumours-edinson-cavani-psg-chelsea

[Mazuuurk]

Liverpool are to sign Alex Manninger...
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liverpool-sign-alex-manninger-one-11648553?


... WHO IS ONLY 39 YEARS OLD? What is he, a Vampire? I'm sure he was around when I was about 5.

[SincereTheRebel]

He was one of the original players when i started watching properly in 98. Made a penalty save from owen is what i can remember.

Looking at his career stats
15 different clubs he has played for
300 games
Being a journeyman goalkeeper is probably the easiest position to play in football

[Raoul Duke]

Back-up keeper is the dream

Hilario :cool:

[Weaver]

756444531554418688

Borussia Dortmund have announced the signing of Andre Schurrle from Wolfsburg. Schurrle, Gotze, Reus; Aubayameyang :drool:

756451783644418049

And Arsenal have announced Rob Holding from Bolton via a game of 'Who Is This?'

[Gray Fox]

Understandable if Danny Ward is off on loan to actually play for the year.

Our expensive signings are serious facepalm material though. We've spent the best part of £60m on buying players for the position we're already strongest. I wouldn't exactly call either better than what we have already too.

Meanwhile we're about to let the scouse Cafu go out on loan to Burnley leaving us with a grand total of fuck all behind Clyne or Moreno at either full back position. I also didn't think after last seasons shit show that we'd start this coming one with Moreno as still our starting left back. Hopefully we're not done yet, but then again who knows.

[bruhnaldo]

You'd look like a dickhead wearing a 'Memphis 7' shirt even if he was great. Getting a name on the back of your shirt is fine when you're a child, but if you're going to do it as an adult then at least have the dignity not to get the name of someone significantly younger than you.

Seems like something someone uncomfortable with themselves would worry about. Not saying you, but I never understood the fuss. I like certain players more than others. I got a SMALLING12 last year as well.

I don't see any problem with paying tribute to a player you like. MEMPHIS7 came from me being excited about his potential and the fact he was #7.


I play it safe and either get my own name and number on the back (I used to get sixteen for Roy Keane, but it's been seven for years now), or the number of titles they have won.

I always thought it'd be disrespectful for some reason to put my own name and make up a number for some reason. Can't really explain why, but ya.


Is Bruhnaldo factoring the price of shorts and socks into how much he's going to spend?

I wouldn't be caught dead. I can't even wear athletic shorts with the shirt as I'm too afraid of looking like a #FKW


They're over-priced, half of them look like shit, and I get a right sweat on wearing them (the ones with a collar or a bit of a v-neck are a lifesaver); but it seems like the best way of supporting the lads without actually having to bother going to the games.

I don't disagree. They're wayyyy overpriced. Here in the 'States, they sell Orlando City tops for 150$. That's not a fucking misprint. I couldn't believe my eyes. Mind you, same store sold United/Chelsea tops for half that price.

A premium to support "your local club" I guess.


Any adult who buys a kit with a name and number deserves the player to leave ASAP. Wankery of the highest order.

Fear not, basically every shirt I've bought has been bad luck for the player.

I have a RAFAEL2 with gold badges. I don't think he made more than 5 appearances after I bought it lmfao.

Smalling didn't really have a great year last year. Memphis flopped.

It's a curse, I'm deathly afraid to buy a Zlatan shirt given, in my opinion, he's dead-on to underwhelm anyhow.

[Vim]

For some reason I've warmed to the idea of bringing Balotelli in with a low salary and huge goal bonuses. Maybe a serious environment like Juve could be right for him.

Then I remember that he's Balotelli and he's wasted enough chances.

But it might well be worth a gamble if he is open to a big salary cut.

[SincereTheRebel]

Stop talking about shirts please.

[Lewis]

For some reason I've warmed to the idea of bringing Balotelli in with a low salary and huge goal bonuses. Maybe a serious environment like Juve could be right for him.

Then I remember that he's Balotelli and he's wasted enough chances.

But it might well be worth a gamble if he is open to a big salary cut.

No.

[elth]

I don't get wearing named shirts, but i also don't care.

Been refreshingly quiet on the De Gea front so far this summer.

[Mazuuurk]

If United end up signing Pogba, Real will definitely start unsettling everyone else of any worth in Europe.

[SincereTheRebel]

Ulloa want to leave
http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/leicester-city-transfer-rumours-ulloa-wants-to-leave-leicester-city/story-29540877-detail/story.html

James is staying at real madrid
http://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2016/07/22/5791fbb622601d11098b45ae.html

Rakitic agent questions barcelonas midfield incomings
http://www.aol.co.uk/sport/2016/07/22/rakitics-agent-questions-barcelona-midfield-buys/

Steve bruce has left hull
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11714/10509426/steve-bruce-leaves-hull-city-with-immediate-effect

Argentina want simeone or pochettino for vacant job
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36864651

[SincereTheRebel]

This holding youth arsenal have just signed. I guess he is going to be another jenkinson. I like how arsenal actively go out and buy young english players and actually play them.

[Mazuuurk]

Arsenal keep buying these "HYPED" talents that you never hear about again. What was that Polish guy Bielik or something? He was supposed to be the new white Viera or something.

[SincereTheRebel]

Webs says Bielik is 18 and only signed in 2015. I think you may be expecting too much too soon. Actually at that age, fabregas was already running games from midfield so i understand your point.

[Mazuuurk]

Then again, the new age for people to break through seems to be 29, soooo.

[Adamski]

Bruh is basically a shining example of why Americans shouldn't be allowed nice things like football.

[niko_cee]

For some reason I've warmed to the idea of bringing Balotelli in with a low salary and huge goal bonuses. Maybe a serious environment like Juve could be right for him.

Then I remember that he's Balotelli and he's wasted enough chances.

But it might well be worth a gamble if he is open to a big salary cut.


No.

:D

He's like the footballing equivalent of those 'badboy' boyfriends who are apparently irresistible despite all reasoning suggesting the contrary. Everyone thinks they can change him. Carragher was probably right. If you've been shite for your entire career it's a bit mad that anyone would think you are anything other than shite.

[Shindig]

Balotelli still gets by on being a striker from a nation of like, three of them.

[SincereTheRebel]

Balotelli still gets by on being a striker from a nation of like, three of them.

And he still cant get into the national team :face:

[Vim]

I've always said that he's shite and should not get any more chances, but for some reason the thought popped into my head "what if..." I don't actually believe it, but there's always that "what if".

[GS]

I thought that when we signed him. One league goal later, I realised that it's a waste of time.

[Reg]

20 in 59 for Inter
20 in 54 for Man City
26 in 43 for Milan
1 in 16 for Liverpool
1 in 20 for Milan

I didn't realise he scored that many before joining Liverpool. Anyway, I think any real hope has been squashed now.

[niko_cee]

If only he'd scored a hattrick against Spurs in that first game (as he fucking well should have).

What if . . .

[Jeet]

Arsenal keep buying these "HYPED" talents that you never hear about again. What was that Polish guy Bielik or something? He was supposed to be the new white Viera or something.

We let go of Wellington Silva recently, got him for £3.5mill, loaned him out for 5-6 years to get a visa aswell

[elth]

You could pay Ballotelli nothing but 100k a goal and he'd still be a waste of money.

[randomlegend]

Vim apparently Higuain has had his medical at Juve and they are going to meet the release clause (presumably after the Pogba deal is completed).

[SincereTheRebel]

At this point, its really difficult to see balotelli being decent in a decent league. He needs to go over to one of the russian/ukraine top teams and score goals there for two seasons at this point if he is serious about his life.

The though of him doing a bogarde at liverpool though :D

[Vim]

Not sure, I'm reading that he had a medical in Madrid, which is unconventional since we have just opened "JMedical", an in-house medical facility. I think if it's true, it's got to be some pre-test.

Some reliable people are reporting it though, apparently he had the medical secretly in Madrid with our directors present. Swiftly done by them, if true.

This might be the biggest piece of evidence for Pogba leaving that I've seen so far. We could technically afford him without Paul leaving, which would be epic.

[randomlegend]

This might be the biggest piece of evidence for Pogba leaving that I've seen so far.

Didn't Allegri confirm they were in talks over him yesterday?

[Vim]

No, Allegri has nothing to do with transfers.

[SvN]

If Juve get 100 odd million for Pogba then use 94m of it to buy fucking Higuain, I'll die laughing. After all of the shit people are giving about Pogba's fee, why is this largely being ignored?

[Vim]

120 million for Pogba.

Still, Higuain is not worth 94 million, simple as that. We're overpaying for him just as much as United would be overpaying for Pogba.

The Higuain clause is structured over two years, so perhaps we're looking to get a lump sum for Pogba and be able to re-invest immediately this season in addition to bringing in El Pipita.

[SvN]

Ah, the Caroll-Torres fallacy.

Would Higuain add much to Juve? I'd have thought you could do so much more with the bulk of the Pogba money than to buy that bottler.

[Reg]

Maybe he'd add 36 league goals a season.

[Vim]

I'm not saying it's the right investment, I agree that 94 million is too much for Higuain.

I think he would add the most in-form striker in Italy that already knows how to play and succeed within an Italian team. He's a better goalscorer than Mandzukic, considerably so if he keeps up the same form as last season.

We surely could have used the Pogba money in other, more balanced ways, the thing is that our defence is flawless and midfield is excellent, so it was always going to be spent in attack. Now "all" we need is a replacement for Pogba, which is hard to find because of how good Paul is, but I trust in Marotta.

[Vim]

(If Pogba leaves. :baz:)

[SvN]

Hardly an area they're struggling in, though. Juve are pissing the league ever year without him. I'd have thought that Juve's goal over the next few seasons was to win the Champions League. A flat track bully like Higuain isn't going to make a difference in that regard.

[Vim]

Champions League is the aim. It worries me that Higuain is a renowned bottler in finals, I'm hoping the Juve environment changes that.

[SincereTheRebel]

Higuain is an great goalscorer, but as stated previously. Paying that much for man who is about to turn 29 is madness if you ask me.

[randomlegend]

No, Allegri has nothing to do with transfers.

You're not seriously suggesting he doesn't even know what's going on?

[Vim]

I mean he has nothing to do with discussing, let alone confirming, transfers to the press; he also has basically nothing to do with dealing with transfer fees, clauses etc. that's all up to Marotta.

As far as I know, he has demands in terms of what position needs a new face and perhaps suggesting specific players.

[SincereTheRebel]

Kolo toure is in scotland for a medical at celtic

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36873865

[randomlegend]

I mean he has nothing to do with discussing, let alone confirming, transfers to the press; he also has basically nothing to do with dealing with transfer fees, clauses etc. that's all up to Marotta.

As far as I know, he has demands in terms of what position needs a new face and perhaps suggesting specific players.

Yeah, but he's gonna know what's happening, and he was quoted yesterday saying there were discussions.

[Manc]

Klopp in for Meyer? Surely not.

[Lewis]

Hardly an area they're struggling in, though. Juve are pissing the league ever year without him. I'd have thought that Juve's goal over the next few seasons was to win the Champions League. A flat track bully like Higuain isn't going to make a difference in that regard.

I was thinking that. Edinson Cavani can probably be brought in at half the price, and he was just as prolific for Napoli.

[Vim]

756916727720607744

We've broken the city. :drool:

[Gray Fox]

I agree that 94 million is too much for Higuain.

Is that Pound or Euro?

[Vim]

Euro. 78 million pounds. I mean, if Everton are valuing Lukaku at 75 million, then 79 doesn't sound too high. :baz: It's still too high, in my opinion, but I guess you've got to over-spend when buying from a team that really does not want to sell. United would have to do the same for Pogba if it happens.

Pogba will see that we've signed Higuain and stay to make a dream team, though.

[Max Power]

1.8 for PSG, Bayern and Juve all to win the league :|

Probably good value tbh

[Gray Fox]

Euro. 78 million pounds. I mean, if Everton are valuing Lukaku at 75 million, then 79 doesn't sound too high. :baz: It's still too high, in my opinion, but I guess you've got to over-spend when buying from a team that really does not want to sell. United would have to do the same for Pogba if it happens.

Pogba will see that we've signed Higuain and stay to make a dream team, though.

Is there any way that Juve can afford this without selling Pogba though?

[Vim]

Yes, otherwise they would not have activated a €94M clause before the Pogba deal is done. The Champions League income from the past two years has been good, wages are very low for a top club (our highest earner was Pogba on €4.5M a season, compare that to Rooney's €15M or even De Rossi's €6.5M) and as high as the Higuain clause is, it is payable over two years.

This means that on the balance sheets for this season, Higuain will cost €47M (half the clause) plus €7.5M of salary. Just getting rid of the wage cost of Morata, Cuadrado and Caceres helps towards funding the purchase, plus Pereyra and Asamoah are surely on their way out. Factor in also the various income from CL that I mentioned, TV deals etc.

So yeah, they can afford it. It's another discussion whether or not it's the right decision to spend almost 100 million on Higuain, but the jury's obviously still out on that.

[Jeet]

Mahrez to Arsenal surely bullshit. His agent was just at the Lens game because he represents one of their players

[Lofty]

Glorious if he does come after Vardy said no.

[Lewis]

He'll maintain his form until November, get a non-specific ankle injury, and never be seen again.

[Sam]

Looking like we are offering the managers job to Marco Silva, seems to have been successful and on upwards trend. A huge budget and salary might tempt him to lovely Wolverhampton.

[Manc]

Smith off to Bournemouth for £6m. If they start the season with that Spanish twat at left back I'll rage.

[GS]

I've no idea how we're getting £6m for him.

Presumably we'll buy someone who isn't woeful.

[Byron]

Liverpool, mate.

[GS]

£20m bid for Ryan Bertrand, no doubt.

[Raoul Duke]

Perspective: Dortmund bought Portugal's first choice left back for £10.2m the other day.

This guy has been linked with a few people over the summer: http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ricardo-rodriguez/profil/spieler/86784

[Gray Fox]

£20m bid for Ryan Bertrand, no doubt.

Don't forget, he's English. At least £50m.

No doubt we'll end up depressed and with that Villa left back.

[SincereTheRebel]

Bertrand to liverpool isnt a bad pick. He signed a five eyar deal early this month didnt he so it im sure it will cost liverpool a pretty penny based on the criteria mentioned.

[Foe]

Perspective: Dortmund bought Portugal's first choice left back for £10.2m the other day.

This guy has been linked with a few people over the summer: http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ricardo-rodriguez/profil/spieler/86784

He's a quality left back. Looked a class above for Switzerland at the last couple of tournaments. Surprised he's lasted this long at Wolfsburg.

[Max Power]

Liverpool offered close to £10m for Ben Chilwell earlier in the summer (although he looks the business, he's never played a league game for us), but it seems he might be signing a new contract.

You'd think they'd need two left backs really as Moreno literally can't defend

[Manc]

There must be a reason Klopp hasn't gone balls deep on that Hector lad.

[Lewis]

Does he have more say than 'Brendan' did with the Transfer Committee?

[niko_cee]

£6m for a player who couldn't get a contract last summer and has played about 3 games since is new levels of :cab:.

Is Flanagan off as well?

Hopefully Gomez will come back and replace Moreno if he ends up starting the season as first choice.

[Vim]

Di Marzio agrees with me that the Higuain deal and Pogba deal are separate, we do not need to sell Paul.

Look, in my opinion, if Pogba had actually handed in the transfer request, he'd already be in Manchester. This delay just makes it look to me like Pogba does not want to leave and/or Man Utd are not actually putting the 120 million euros on the table.

[randomlegend]

The chatter is all that he wants to go, it's just haggling over price. Utd have offered €110m + add-ons and Juve want €120m up front.

Also Raiola's fee.

[Manc]

Does he have more say than 'Brendan' did with the Transfer Committee?

You'd imagine so. Otherwise the Manninger deal looks even more bizzare.

Jetro Willems is the latest name thrown up.

[Gray Fox]

He never says how much control he actually has. They just keep on spouting that he has 'the final say.' So I think he's just as much a say as Brendan did.

Problem is, since leaving Brendan has come out and said they make lists of players prioritised and he'd often be offered his 3rd or 4th choice. For example with Balotelli and he essentially gets put in the position of either signing that player or facing signing no one.

I can't believe for one second that Klopp wouldn't be going full on mental at the thought of Moreno still being his starting left-back for the new season. Though if he was getting his first choice you'd expect he'd have been here about now.

[GS]

"Brendan" presenting a scenario in which he is absolved of the blame for signing so much shite. It's almost like that's his aim in SPEAKING OUT.

[Lewis]

Ed Woodward seemed to hint that 'LvG' was working with a Transfer Committee last summer, but then Jose Mourinho comes in with his DEMANDS and Vim can't stop crying. If he has full control over transfers then hopefully having all of the money (and a new agent friend) will improve his hit 'n' miss transfer record.

[Dark Soldier]

This puts the Pogba deal into a bit more of a perspective, going off percentage of yearly turnover, Veron has been our biggest transfer. Bless ya Fergie:

http://i.imgur.com/D2cbxfY.jpg

[Dark Soldier]

Also proves how good a buy the dog eater was.

[Pepe]

Lewis. :console:

[Lewis]

Everybody is using that now. This is how my friend must have felt when he thought he had invented fish sausages.

[elth]

You could stick another £10m on that Pogba fee and it still wouldn't be as big proportionately as Veron.

Hope it works out better than he did. If it harkens ofcourse

[Mazuuurk]

We all hope it'll harken.

[Smiffy]

.....

[Sam]

It can be dressed up in as many different ways as possible but it's still far too excessive. If it happens then Juventus have made Man United their bitch.

You'd be struggling to justify that price tag on FM let alone in real life.

Juve look likely to spend 94 million euros on Higuain. They've made no one their bitch.

[randomlegend]

Who gives a shit. We want the player, the club don't want to sell. They can demand what they like, but we have money to burn.

At the end of the day, we want a top class midfielder and Pogba is the only one that's remotely available. He's worth more to us than anything else we could do with the money

[randomlegend]

It's only three Andy Carrolls anyway.

[Lewis]

It will end up being a snip if they get ten years out of him and he's class. But yeah, spend thirty getting four years out of Blaise Matuidi just so nobody can highlight the fee.

[CJay]

I still can't believe someone paid £16m for Antonio Valencia.

[randomlegend]

I mean, he's not been awful as a right back the last couple of years.

[Lewis]

I think people forget that, before he mysteriously turned shit in 2013, he was the best winger in the country during his first three seasons.

[elth]

5.7% of turnover for a sometime starter, general usefulness is pretty good value anyway.

[SincereTheRebel]

If pogba goes to man utd, it will be mega. He will score or assist at least forty goals next season.

[five time]

5.7% of turnover for a sometime starter, general usefulness is pretty good value anyway.

:sick:

Lewis has a lot to answer for if this becomes a thing.

[Smiffy]

.....

[Giggles]

He's cracking again :drool:

[Smiffy]

.....

[SincereTheRebel]

Overtaking OG as the clubs leading talisman? Get out of it.

OG is?

[Smiffy]

.....

[niko_cee]

Did United get compensation for Pogba when he left? I'd read somewhere that they did, but then I thought that only operated between domestic clubs. Would be funny if they had a sell-on clause and this was all a ruse to get Real to bid a fortune for him so they could trouser x% of the fee.

I've no idea why people would be bothered by the fee. It seems fairly obvious that any sense of sanity has left the whole market and so it's only really a question as to whether he's good enough as a player to make a sufficient difference, which seems likely.

[SvN]

They got about 400k

[Smiffy]

.....

[Smiffy]

.....

[Lewis]

They got about 400k

I read eight-hundred. Either way, it's a much greater return (as a percentage) on United's original investment than what Juventus are making. Yet nobody is lolling at them.

[Disco]

Transfer fees have been a joke for twenty years, get over it.

[Pepe]

How has turnover tracked though?

[bruhnaldo]

I still can't believe someone paid £16m for Antonio Valencia.

Because he should've been worth well more?

[bruhnaldo]

Slowly accepting Pogba really isn't coming back as opposed to before when I was just saying that to keep my excitement at bay.

[randomlegend]

Slowly accepting Pogba really isn't coming back as opposed to before when I was just saying that to keep my excitement at bay.

Why?

It's happening.

[bruhnaldo]

It just seems like United are being used as a "No really! I'll do it!" from Pogba's camp to Madrid.

You can't say "there's no smoke without fire" re: Utd + Pogba but then dismiss all of the "he actually wants to go to Madrid" stuff as complete fallacy.

I don't know, I may be well off.

[randomlegend]

Whether he would choose Madrid over us if he had the choice is pretty irrelevant (probably would) because he isn't going to get the choice. Madrid aren't going to pay the money we are and Juve aren't going to accept less from them.

He either leaves for us or he stays, and all the reports are that he's coming. It's a world record transfer, it's going to drag. Bale to Madrid took all summer.

[Mazuuurk]

Why wouldn't Real pay the money? Seems like exactly the sort of thing Real does.

[randomlegend]

Because to pay him as much as we've offered him they'd have to massively break their wage structure and increase the wages of about 5 players.

[Mazuuurk]

Ah you mean his wage.

Hmm ok, well, I'm sure they might be able to lure him somehow with bonuses and what not, if they want.

[randomlegend]

Everything I've read has been that they aren't willing to pay the transfer fee either but IDK on that.

It wouldn't make much sense for them considering Kroos and Modric are as good if not better. Unless they are going to stick him as the defensive midfielder in the three.

[Mazuuurk]

Yeah, but when do Reals transfers ever make that much sense? They always just buy whoever was the new BIG STAR of the past tournament.

[randomlegend]

Well we'll see I guess, but I don't think they will.

[Reg]

Real have pulled out. And I wouldn't say it's dragged, it's only been a few weeks - that's nothing nowadays.

Pretty certain this Pogba business is legitimate. The papers report the less realistic moves in much less specific terms, e.g. the Bale, Muller, Ronaldo to United stories didn't have any detail, it was all wishy washy guesswork.

edit- the Muller story did actually... That was real.

[Lewis]

I bet he would have been atrocious for United. I like the geezer, but something tells me he that would be anonymous in a less than excellent side.

[Kikó]

Real have pulled out. And I wouldn't say it's dragged, it's only been a few weeks - that's nothing nowadays.

Pretty certain this Pogba business is legitimate. The papers report the less realistic moves in much less specific terms, e.g. the Bale, Muller, Ronaldo to United stories didn't have any detail, it was all wishy washy guesswork.

edit- the Muller story did actually... That was real.

They were all real. United offered more for Bale than Madrid but he wanted Madrid. Ronaldo always has Mendes in conversations with us and you've already touched on the Muller story.

[Pleb]

Trust us (Torquay) to sign an international goalkeeper who has conceded 30 to 40 goals in his lifetime :moop:

Fucking muppets.

[Disco]

http://i.imgur.com/fbkNfde.png

[Ian]

For a minute there I didn't realise that that was a copyright symbol and thought he was trying to hypnotise me.

[Disco]

He's hypnotised you into thinking that.

[GS]

To be fair, the percentage of turnover thing is probably as good an indicator as you're going to get of how expensive a player is for a club. That or a metric based on EBITDA. Clearly comparing the price in 2002 with the prices today is a waste of time in isolation.

[Byron]

If EBITDA makes it as a thing on the board I'm going to burn Phonics' cardboard box down.

[Raoul Duke]

Looking at that Raiola's client list: http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mino-raiola/beraterfirma/berater/282 - that Tete kid from Ajax is meant to be decent, and we need a right-back.

[niko_cee]

I always think it's laudable, if a bit lol, that they persist with their player valuations.

Should probably rename them though. If someone has just been sold on the, you know, market, then that's probably a good guide as to their market value, rather than some arbitrary figure the anti-vowels have come up with. Markt value, perhaps.

[Raoul Duke]

Isn't it Danish or something, which is the actual spelling of that word? Might be imagining it.

It's kinda useful, although the valuations are dubious. I doubt they're ever really correct (human beings are greedy swine and have no truck with your elegant formulae).

[Ian]

He's hypnotised you into thinking that.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YLrGQ3_TLVI/UNtum9xa-II/AAAAAAAAD5k/S2zUvaZB4EI/s1600/mind+blown.jpg

[Reg]

They were all real. United offered more for Bale than Madrid but he wanted Madrid. Ronaldo always has Mendes in conversations with us and you've already touched on the Muller story.
Fair enough. There are more details on the Pogba story, from what I've read, which is a good indication of them actually succeeding this time.

[Manc]

The longer it drags on the more likely it is that our Paul is in fact pushing for a move to Spain. Pogba, Modric and Kroos with a shit kicker in behind and Bale and Ronaldo up top. Good god.

[GS]

£13M for Allen. Solid.

Just get rid of Benteke for £30M and a packet of Wotsits and we're in good shape.

[Smiffy]

.....

[GS]

I forgot we had him. We must have some absolute shite still moping about.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

You'd be lucky to get a bag of Snaps for him.

[Raoul Duke]

I've just had a stab at trying to figure out what Liverpool's first choice XI would be and I can't do it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liverpool_F.C.#First-team_squad

Also: you paid about £7m for this guy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luis_Alberto_(footballer,_born_1992)

[Reg]

Sturridge
Coutinho - Firmino - Mane
Milner - Henderson
New LB - Matip - Lovren - Clyne
Mignolet

Or something? Wijnaldum and Can maybe getting in there.

[Pleb]

http://i.imgur.com/fbkNfde.png
Top banter :hat:

Apparently we're tipped for promotion :D Have they seen our squad?

[niko_cee]

Also: you paid about £7m for this guy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luis_Alberto_(footballer,_born_1992)

:D

I thought that was a new signing at first and was wondering if we hadn't signed one of those before.

[SincereTheRebel]

Pato to villarreal
http://www.espnfc.co.uk/villarreal/story/2917748/villarreal-agree-a-deal-with-corinthians-for-alexandre-pato-reports

Leicester make £5m bid for kapustka
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/1503382/leicester-step-up-poland-bartosz-kapustka-pursuit-as-premier-league-champions-lodge-second-bid-of-5-25m-for-starlet/

Santos accepted £17m for gabriel barbosa from juventus
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/1503330/juventus-have-16-8million-bid-accepted-by-santos-for-chelsea-target-gabriel-barbosa/

Bentaleb, Fazio & Pritchard can leave
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/mauricio-pochettino-confirms-tottenhams-nabil-bentaleb-federico-fazio-alex-pritchard-can-leave-1572424

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Baby cabbage :cool:

[SincereTheRebel]

Arnautovic to everton for £12m
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3707605/Everton-verge-signing-Marko-Arnautovic-12-5m-deal-Austria-forward-opts-against-Potters-stay.html

Arsenal made a £29.3m offer early in the summer lacazette which was ignored lyon have announced :lol:
http://www.football365.com/news/arsenal-offer-for-lacazette-rejected-club-confirm

People give arsenal a lot of hate when it comes to transfers but arsenal themselves, never announce any bids for players they want. Its the parent club that start snitching.

[Mazuuurk]

17M for Barbosa...? Isn't he supposed to be the most coveted South American player since Tevez or something? Or is that just on FM.

[SincereTheRebel]

During copa america and under 20 championships, with limited game time barbosa and jesus looked exciting. The quoted prices for both of them is under £40m which in todays money is a complete bargain.

[SincereTheRebel]

Vietto rejects barcelona in favour of loan move to sevilla
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11838/10513058/luciano-vietto-set-to-turn-down-barcelona-in-favour-of-sevilla-loan-move-sky-sources

[Max Power]

Looks like Kaputska is a done deal for about £5.5m. Seems like a real talent. With him, Gray, Chilwell, Amartey we seem to be bringing the average age of the squad down and building a talente group for the future*

*The future being these players being sold to bigger clubs but fine.

[Magic]

Hi,

Since when was Gonzalo Higauin worth seventy five fucking million?

[Pepe]

We deal in percentage of revenue now mate.

[Magic]

:D

How do Juventus make that much money though?

[Pepe]

Racketeering.

[Magic]

Hi,

Since when was Gonzalo Higuan worth roughly 20% of Juventus' annual revenue?

[SincereTheRebel]

Higuain numbers for goals are good. But given his age, this could all end up being another version of fernando torres

Scores a goal every 113 minutes in the league
213 league appearances in la liga and serie a with 178 goals

Compare that to aguero

143 minutes per goal
325 appearances with 176 goals

Show him some respect.

[Manc]

How many mattered?

[SincereTheRebel]

How many mattered?

Shearer got 34 that mattered. I imagine higuain manged a few more than that. Looking at the stats, it looks like he has 32 to his name

[Manc]

Didn't Luca Toni chuck in about 25 a year ago?

[Lewis]

:D

How do Juventus make that much money though?

Italian clubs negotiate their own broadcasting deals (like the lol ones that have ruined Spanish football), but their commercial operations are non-existent and nobody goes to the games.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Well I guess a bottling Argentinian is better than a Croatian lump :harold:

[Vim]

Juve owning their own stadium is a huge deal in terms of income, especially compared to all the other big Italian clubs. The Champions League run from a couple of years ago netted us around €100M because we were the only team in the knockout stages, so all of the TV money allocated for Italian clubs went to us.

Meh, we overpaid, but it's clear that the directors are ok with really going for it. Spend a bit too much in order to bring the team to the next level, and go for a very deep Champions League run which can repay the investment in personnel.

[Max Power]

Just seems that if you were gonna pay big, big money for a striker to fire you to Champions League glory it would be someone better than Gonzalo Higuain?

Smacks more of destroying what little competition remains in Serie A more than anything else

[Yevrah]

The Higuain fee is roflcopter worthy, but surely they're just spending the Pogba money. Ala, Liverpool and Andy Carroll.

[Baz]

Spending the Pogba money, while keeping Pogba. Juve. :drool:

[Pepe]

What did United buy with their Pogba money? :eyemouth:

[Samadini]

Tiote is finally properly going, after seemingly having transfers out set up in every window for the last few years.

Been a shambles for a while, another of those who lacked motivation and sacked the being a professional footballer thing off. At least he had some good times before it all went to shit, so he'll be remembered.

Only really Sissoko left out of the not arsed club and he'll surely be gone once he's back from his holiday. Lost some good players, but what's the point in having them of they don't bother. Townsend the only real blow.

[Vim]

Just seems that if you were gonna pay big, big money for a striker to fire you to Champions League glory it would be someone better than Gonzalo Higuain?

Smacks more of destroying what little competition remains in Serie A more than anything else

Name someone coming off a better season than Higuain that realistically can join Juventus and already is accustomed to playing in an Italian team. I agree that we overpaid, but still ...

Also, the transfer has nothing to do with the "Pogba money". Even if Pogba does leave, it's not like it's all deposited as a lump sum into Marotta's pockets like in Football Manager. Higuain's payment is spread over two years, obviously we can afford to spend 50 million on him this season with our various income. All Juve need to do is to be green in the balance sheet, and that is achieved whether or not we sell Pogba.

[GS]

Higuain is basically a double hit, because they've improved their own team and adversely hit their rivals. It's steep, but realistically who else could they get?

[Max Power]

Name someone coming off a better season than Higuain that realistically can join Juventus and already is accustomed to playing in an Italian team. I agree that we overpaid, but still ...

Also, the transfer has nothing to do with the "Pogba money". Even if Pogba does leave, it's not like it's all deposited as a lump sum into Marotta's pockets like in Football Manager. Higuain's payment is spread over two years, obviously we can afford to spend 50 million on him this season with our various income. All Juve need to do is to be green in the balance sheet, and that is achieved whether or not we sell Pogba.
Yeah tbh right after I posted that I tried to think of a player outright BETTER who would join and it's tough. Still I'm sure he'll bag 30 and miss an open goal in the Champions League Final.

[Lewis]

I bet that Dortmund lad who everyone raves about would have joined for that money. Jamie Vardy? Basically anybody who isn't an ocean-going, nuclear-powered BOTTLER. Javier Hernandez.

[Reg]

Higuain is basically a double hit, because they've improved their own team and adversely hit their rivals. It's steep, but realistically who else could they get?
Napoli could strengthen. They have £70m to play with.