The ULTRAMEGA Summer 2017 Transfers and Rumours Thread [featuring THE MIGHTY BLADES]

[John]

Eddie Howe has just been in Sky Sports talking about Demarai Gray. He said 'I made it clear when he was with Birmingham that I liked Demarai, but he's very much a Leicester player now and we don't talk about other club's players.'

Eddie, mate, I've spotted a problem there.

[Waffdon]

Tottenham spending up to forty million quid on that Ajax centre-back (the one United targeted as being useless on the ball in the UEFA Cup final) seems odd when they probably have the best partnership in the league. I know they need DEPTH, but surely not at those prices.

Back three init

[Spikey M]

Gabriel of Arsenal has signed for Valencia this afternoon. They played a back five with one centre back, two left backs, a right back and a midfielder last week, so not sure how smart it is to get rid of a centre back. New one incoming? They've been rumoured to be wanting rid of Chambers, Gibbs, Jenkinson and Debuchy as well.

I know nothing of this lad Spurs have signed.

He was one of Ajax first choice centre backs. From what I've seen (2 Europa league matches) he is fast as fuck, but I couldn't tell you much more about him. A handy replacement for the pace they lost when Walker left and much needed cover at CB I guess.

[CJay]

Sanchez looked like a beast when I watched him last season. Probably still a bit raw and unrefined, but the potential is there. No idea why Spurs' centre backs aren't being targeted by the likes of Barcelona or City. They're being paid peanuts currently.

[Ian]

£42m for an Eredivisie player of that age is lol, whichever way you choose to cut it. That's not to say it won't be a good signing but it's definitely part of football having GONE MAD.

[Giggles]

£42m this summer is like buying a squad player for £15m a couple of years ago.

[Magic]

Wood to Burnley for £15m.

[Kikó]

So basically a free transfer.

[Magic]

Aye. It's the 2017 version of 2008's £2.5m with addons.

Can't believe we're selling a 30+ goal a season player when we are already struggling for goals and have nobody else.

[Pen]

Doesn't make much sense selling Walker to City for roughly the same amount as you're paying for an Eredivisie player for the same position.

[Giggles]

Doesn't make much sense selling Walker to City for roughly the same amount as you're paying for an Eredivisie player for the same position.

He's a centre back isn't he?

[Pen]

Ah, I thought I read he's a right back. Still, 42 million for an Eredivisie defender seems excessive even in the current market where you start bidding at 20 for Johnny Evans.

[mugbull]

Sanchez is god tier. Definitely a good signing, since playing Dier in the back three could only lead to the eventual downfall of the club.

[Magic]

Wood has ruled himself out of playing tonight in our potentially toughest fixture this season, so he's fit for his medical at Burnley tomorrow.

Cunt?

[Giggles]

Wood has ruled himself out of playing tonight in our potentially toughest fixture this season, so he's fit for his medical at Burnley tomorrow.

Cunt?

Smart. Imagine doing an achilles and the whole thing being cancelled?

I doubt Leeds would match his potential wages if it happened.

[Shindig]

Leeds wouldn't risk the legal action if he pulled something.

[John Arne]

Leeds wouldn't risk the legal action if he pulled something.

If he's still under contract to Leeds, and got injured playing for them, why would they be liable to any legal issue?

[Lewis]

Won't Leeds have ruled him out to protect the incoming fifteen million?

[John Arne]

Won't Leeds have ruled him out to protect the incoming fifteen million?

I would have thought so.

[Magic]

That's Elland Road paid for then. :(

[Spikey M]

I thought your mob were excited about the new owners Magic?

[Magic]

Want them out now.

[niko_cee]

I'm not sure what's more lol about the Coutinho transfer. Liverpool not accepting it, or Barcelona trying 2003 level FM chicanery with an insane amount of the fee dependent on add-ons. £40m if Barcelona win anything in the near future? Erm, no thanks. Not to mention the "Ballon D'or" clause.

It'll be £150m after they bin it against Pepe Mel's Barmy Army tonight (even though Snr Mel is no longer). Cash.

[Spikey M]

It's always going to be hard when the other teams know you've got a £200m shaped wedge in your pocket.

[Raoul Duke]

In what universe does this kid look 12?

http://www.espn.co.uk/football/borussia-dortmund/story/3183021/borussia-dortmunds-youssoufa-moukoko-scores-four-for-u17s

http://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2017%2F0819%2Fr246110_1296x729_16 %2D9.jpg&w=1140&cquality=40

[mugbull]

I read about that. The defence seemed to be the father saying "trust me, he's 12" and everyone saying "ok sure". So dumb

[Yevrah]

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/4282245/manchester-city-lionel-messi-buy-out-clause-barcelona-extension/

[John Arne]

A story about Leo Messi from The Sun... c'mon Yevrah, you're better than that :D

[Lewis]

Wood has ruled himself out of playing tonight in our potentially toughest fixture this season, so he's fit for his medical at Burnley tomorrow.

Cunt?

https://s3.postimg.org/skpwlogoz/Untitled.png

A 'better league'.

[Offshore Toon]

Magic got touchy when I left Leeds off a poll once. How many years have they been out the prem?

[Yevrah]

A story about Leo Messi from The Sun... c'mon Yevrah, you're better than that :D

Because they never get anything right...?

[Giggles]

Because they never get anything right...?

It's more then one thing we're told they got wrong.

[John]

I'd love that. I reckon the only reason he'd leave Barcelona is to work with 'Pep' again, and if that happened Barcelona would be done.

[phonics]

Carl Jenkinson and Cohen Brammall have both gone to Arry Redknapps Blue and White Army on loan.

[niko_cee]

Bit gutted this Izquierdo chap's international clearance isn't going to come through in time for him to play tomorrow night. Anyone know anything about him?

Hopefully both he and Raphael Dwamena (????) are pace merchants.

[Baz]

Bit gutted this Izquierdo chap's international clearance isn't going to come through in time for him to play tomorrow night. Anyone know anything about him?

Hopefully both he and Raphael Dwamena (????) are pace merchants.Yeah that black lad from Bruges is frickin' awesome. May have been cos he was playing against other Belgian league Level players, but boy is he rapid. He's like if Lallana used speedhacks.

[Mike]

Yeah, was head and shoulders above the rest of the players on the pitch when we saw him last summer.

[Reg]

Bit gutted this Izquierdo chap's international clearance isn't going to come through in time for him to play tomorrow night. Anyone know anything about him?

Hopefully both he and Raphael Dwamena (????) are pace merchants.
Watched some clips of Dwamena on Youtube and he looks quick and strong, really stocky.

Jimmy Floyd You seen him for Ghana, Jim?

[Jimmy Floyd]

I doubt his mum has seen him for Ghana.

[Reg]

He's scored 2 goals for them, says wiki.

[mugbull]

You signed a guy from the Swiss Second Division? Lolz

[Reg]

They got promoted, I'll have you know.

[SincereTheRebel]

Barcelona are trying to take legal action against neymar for £7.8m
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41014149

[SincereTheRebel]

Barcelona sound salty. Neymar caught them slipping for £198m

[bruhnaldo]

You'd imagine a huge club like Barcelona, one who we are all constantly reminded of LA MESIA etc. etc., wouldn't be bothered to gain 200m.

[John Arne]

I'll tell you what - it's incredible just how crap agents suddenly become when a player actual needs to find a new club (willing to match or increase his wages).

Diego Costa... Mamadou Sakho... Ross Barkley.. Markovic..... all summer, and still haven't managed to find a new club.

[Waffdon]

Tuchel to Chelsea to replace Conte apparently. Isn't half a downgrade.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If they sack Conte now (as opposed to in three months' time when we're 14th) they should all go to the gulags.

[niko_cee]

Hasn't he just signed a new contract?

In other rumour news, Barcelona have either admitted defeat in their bid to woo Liverpool's owners into selling Coutinho, or are preparing another, even dafter offer. Daft in both magnitude '£138m' and structure (£37m of never-never add-ons, just call it £100m).

They got their Neymar money up front, so just send the truck over with the cash in it and everyone can move on.

One gets the impression that, perhaps having been on the other end of the same experience themselves, Liverpool are simply going to reject anything on general principle (whereas in reality it would make more sense for Leipzig, Southampton and Liverpool if they just bit the bullet and put everyone on the merry-go-round).

[Jimmy Floyd]

A payrise but not an extension for Conte.

Liverpool should see how far they can push it. £150 million up front plus a 'tots soms scouse' card display at every home game, and renaming the academy to 'Masia, la'.

[SincereTheRebel]

Coutinho isnt even worth half of that. World has gone bonkers. PSG paying that much for neymar is somewhat justified becuase he deliveres a goal and an assist per game. T

[niko_cee]

Doesn't Coutinho provide about half that in a much tougher league?

Price seems fair.

Realistically one of Liverpool or Dortmund are going to royally fleece Barcelona, I guess it's just a case of who blinks first.

[John]

Doesn't Coutinho provide about half that in a much tougher league?

Not even close. Stat of the moment is that Mkhitaryan is three off Coutinho's best ever assist return after two games.

[John Arne]

Not even close. Stat of the moment is that Mkhitaryan is three off Coutinho's best ever assist return after two games.

Sincere mentioned goals and assists - Coutinho got 20 of them last season - granted, Mkhitaryan has 4 assists already this season, but equally he doesn't score half as many as Coutinho (13-4 last season).

[Jimmy Floyd]

All assists measure is other people's finishing.

[John]

Sincere mentioned goals and assists - Coutinho got 20 of them last season - granted, Mkhitaryan has 4 assists already this season, but equally he doesn't score half as many as Coutinho (13-4 last season).

Yeah he said Neymar is getting a goal and an assist a game. Coutinho isn't close to that. Add his goals and assists together and he might get somewhere near one in two.

[John Arne]

Wait until 2nd assists start becoming a thing. I blame NBCSN....

[Magic]

Wait until 2nd assists start becoming a thing. I blame NBCSN....

Touching the ball within 30 seconds of a goal = assist.

[SincereTheRebel]

Pre-assists. You best believe I claim them at five-a-side and saturday 11s :D

[John]

That sort of stat comes up when numbers obsessives want to praise a player we know to be great but who doesn't have great stats.

The first time I heard about the 'pre assist assist' and 'assisting the assister' was with Iniesta at the height of Pepmania.

[Mazuuurk]

Wasn't Xavi the king of them?

Like 3 assist per season for one of the best passers of his time.

[-james-]

You all need to get with the times. Expected passes (https://differentgame.wordpress.com/2017/02/21/expected-passing-for-everyone/) is the preferred metric now.

[mugbull]

You all need to get with the times. Expected passes (https://differentgame.wordpress.com/2017/02/21/expected-passing-for-everyone/) is the preferred metric now.

The way you can tell this is a completely pointless metric is the little Cartesian graph they have halfway down the page where everybody is clumped at the origin, except for Adam and Fabregas who are very slightly off-center. Lol.

[John]

Berbatov has signed for the Kerala Blasters, a club named after the spicy mince and peppers pizza from my local Indian.

[Magic]

We've just signed some John Carew looking motherfucker from Holland. :drool:

[Reg]

Berbatov has signed for the Kerala Blasters, a club named after the spicy mince and peppers pizza from my local Indian.
Wes Brown is there with him. Rene Meulensteen (Man United, Fulham) is the coach.

Berbatov seemed the biggest surprise of the three of them, but I've just read he's been without a club for a year.

[SvN]

http://www.manutd.com/sitecore/shell/~/media/29D5A459E9AF46198AE6A8437F719542.ashx?w=640&h=360&rgn=0,292,7988,4788

What a hero. Absolutely delighted. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41040655

[SincereTheRebel]

Hopefully that does not affect his legacy and stats.

Its damm sure affected my pockets. I had him joining dortmund, bayern or heading back to malmo. Never exspected this at all.

[Magic]

Hope it's a huge wage and he does his cruciate first game. CUNT.

[Kikó]

Great news and a brilliant sub to have.

[Mazuuurk]

Poor Lukaku.

[Mazuuurk]

Or, United can now effectively play with a 7-man defence, Carrick just in front of that to chuck balls forward to front 2 Zlatan & Lukaku.
Sorted.

[SvN]

Zlatan and Lukaku with Fellaini behind them :drool:

[Spikey M]

Poor Lukaku.

More like poor Rashford and Martial.

[SvN]

They've been playing on the wing for a while now, this doesn't affect them at all.

[Mazuuurk]

Maybe Lukaku can play on the wing if he's nice.

But the only sensible thing to do would be to stick them both up front together and play 4-4-2 with Poggers out to the left.

[SvN]

We've got a lot of games to play this season, especially if we qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League - Zlatan and Lukaku will have plenty of game time even if we stick with one up front.

[Mazuuurk]

Zlatan will play all games he's fit in.

It's Zlatan.


(don't try to reason with me)

[phonics]

We've got a lot of games to play this season, especially if we qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League - Zlatan and Lukaku will have plenty of game time even if we stick with one up front.

How would you have more games than last season?

[SvN]

When did I say we would have?

[Reg]

Lukaku will obviously be first choice.

[Pen]

That tweet from Zlatan was pure cringe :D

[Lewis]

Fair play to him (again) for not just noncing off to America.

[SincereTheRebel]

That tweet from Zlatan was pure cringe :D

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DH_0D1qW0AANihn.jpg:large

[Pepe]

Is the other one Rooney?

[Gray Fox]

SKY SOURCES say that Dembele to Barcelona is done for a deal worth up to £110m

[Lewis]

The sell-on fee to Rennes will be more than double their actual record transfer. :cool:

[John Arne]

I guess that's good news for us. Countinho must feel a bit used (presuming Barca give up on him (please do)).

[niko_cee]

'Reports' suggest he's going to go public with his discontent, which should be amusing.

[Alex]

We've just signed some John Carew looking motherfucker from Holland. :drool:

Hasselbaink regen. :drool:

[Ian]

Good news about Ibrahimovic. Now just sign Rooney back and we'll be unstoppable.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

So almost all of the money on Paulinho and the next big French thing?

Lol.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/41043195

Plus getting fisted in court again.

[niko_cee]

And Messi's going to walk out for nothing (and £200m in his dad's back pocket) next year.

[phonics]

Well they got all the Neymar money up front and the Paulinho/Dembele deals get spilt over 4 and 5 years.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

They're saved!

[phonics]

I think the fact that despite losing Neymar they're still in the top 8 sides in the world might be the bigger savior.

[GS]

'Reports' suggest he's going to go public with his discontent, which should be amusing.

Outstanding. You wonder what he hopes to achieve.

[Lewis]

If he isn't on the phone to Charles Itandje then he needs better advice.

[GS]

Well, exactly.

That or give one interview to the Sun and they'd run him out of town in exchange for a tenner and a Yorkie bar.

[Shindig]

We should've signed Berbatov. Close the loop.

[Lewis]

He could call a conference with Kenny Dalglish to 'explain himself' like when Stone Cold filled Jim Ross in after WrestleMania X-Seven.

[GS]

Yes, with angry hordes of triggered Scousers banging on the doors and windows of the venue.

[Lewis]

Wait a minute! That's... That's Sir Alex Ferguson (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXMlBffjn7Q)! What in the world?!

[phonics]

Oliver Burke has signed for West Brom. Good signing that for them, they've been looking for a replacement to Brunt for 3-5 years.

[Weaver]

Oliver Burke has signed for West Brom. Good signing that for them, they've been looking for a replacement to Brunt for 3-5 years.

They announced it as 'Red Bull gives you wingers' which gave me a laugh.

I liked the look of him at Forest and wingers seem to be a bit of a weak area for WBA, so yeah good signing all round.

[phonics]

They announced it as 'Red Bull gives you wingers' which gave me a laugh.

I liked the look of him at Forest and wingers seem to be a bit of a weak area for WBA, so yeah good signing all round.

Yeah, team needs some pace as well. Matty Phillips is a good technical player but he's not quick off the mark and the closest thing they have to a burst of pace from midfield is poor old James Morrison.

[Weaver]

901101904419311616

Done deal for Dembele then. Sky reckon it's £97m upfront with £38m of addons.


Yeah, team needs some pace as well. Matty Phillips is a good technical player but he's not quick off the mark and the closest thing they have to a burst of pace from midfield is poor old James Morrison.

I wouldn't fancy having to rely on James McClean all season, too. Things are looking good for them.

[Gray Fox]

Dortmund are laughing. £135m potentially for a guy they can replace with someone already at the club. I'd argue Pulisic is actually the better prospect too. It's a shame this means we probably wont ever get the latter.

[John]

If you're right and he's as good this year as Dembele was last you wouldn't be getting him anyway. And Dortmund won't be keeping him either.

[igor_balis]

I was reading the posts about Barcelona going for Dembele instead of Coutinho and assumed it was the Spurs one :lol: FFS,

And yeah, we'll give Oliver Burke about 5 games before reverting to McClean and Phillips by the end of the season because they track back a bit. Maybe put Brunty back there when we have 4 fully fit centre backs for the back 4.

[John]

The Spurs one would be a better signing than that pleb Paulinho, and even with the Levy levy he'd probably cost them less too.

[Giggles]

901101904419311616

Done deal for Dembele then. Sky reckon it's £97m upfront with £38m of addons.



I wouldn't fancy having to rely on James McClean all season, too. Things are looking good for them.

Pulis hates McClean so he definitely wouldn't be relying on him. I'm still holding out hope he gets a move to the championship before the window closes.

[Reg]

I was reading the posts about Barcelona going for Dembele instead of Coutinho and assumed it was the Spurs one :lol: FFS,

And yeah, we'll give Oliver Burke about 5 games before reverting to McClean and Phillips by the end of the season because they track back a bit. Maybe put Brunty back there when we have 4 fully fit centre backs for the back 4.
What do you / WBA fans make of Pulis nowadays?

[Boydy]

I thought it was the Celtic Dembele when I first heard about it as my Celtic-supporting friend in work has been banging on about him for the past six months and apparently every big club ever has wanted him at some point since about May.

[niko_cee]

Dwamena's failed his medical at Brighton.

[John]

Heart condition. He's not had a good day. Imagine finding out that your new job on three hundred times the wages has fallen through and that you're a timebomb at the same time.

[Reg]

Man that's sad for him.

We've let Ince go out on loan again. He was looking as bright a prospect as Dunk under Oscar and Hyypia.

[Andy]

The Spurs one would be a better signing than that pleb Paulinho, and even with the Levy levy he'd probably cost them less too.

The spurs Dembele is a don. I don't think Levy/Pochettino would be letting him go easily.

[Waffdon]

Mbappe to PSG...on loan.

[Lewis]

Monaco would be pretty dumb to agree to that. Next season Madrid (and maybe Barcelona) will be even more interested, PSG will still have the money, and he could help them to win the league in the meantime.

[Gray Fox]

This is one of those loans where the transfer is mandatory at the end isn't it?

I've read it could even go as high as €180m.

[Waffdon]

It says PSG have the option of buying him, aye.

[randomlegend]

It says PSG have the option of buying him, aye.

Mandatory would mean they HAVE to buy him at the end (which is what Gray Fox was saying), not that they have the option.

[Offshore Toon]

It has to be mandatory, otherwise they'd obviously take the loan just to stop Monaco challenging for the title.

[igor_balis]

What do you / WBA fans make of Pulis nowadays?

I dunno really. I like the IDEA of Pulis, and I appreciate how consistent our results are and I'm not one of these deluded people who thinks we should be a swashbuckling attacking side getting top-half by default. But fuck me, it can be really tedious and annoying to watch. However I will say that today confirmed what I suspected - playing defensive, backs to the wall stuff is far more palatable when you're actually at the game, caught up in the atmosphere of it.

[Magic]

Liking the idea of shit, one dimensional Sunday league football by a shit BIG SAM. :sick:

[Offshore Toon]

Pulis was doing some decent things at Palace until he fell out with the chairman. Outside of that he's stuck to shit football. God knows why Chadli went there.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I like Pulis teams. They add to the tapestry of life. If everyone was a 'bright, young manager' with an identikit team liking to play 'passing football' life would be fairly dull.

[niko_cee]

It's where Neil Warnock fits in as well. Total bellend, but also a bit of a legend when you dig down. Launching Vincent Tan back into mainstream life one game at a time.

[niko_cee]

€160m for Coutinho?

lol

[Mike]

£55.5m for Thomas Lemar apparently?

[Weaver]

£55.5m for Thomas Lemar apparently?

Sky are running with that now, yeah.

It's looking like the next day or two is going to be mega busy with transfer window stuff - I thought the window closed next Monday for some reason, but it's actually Thursday.

£21m bid from Leicester rejected for Jonny Evans as well.

[GS]

Where does Lemar fit in if he's signed?

[Clunge]

If LFC pinch Lemar from under Arsenal's nose after dicking them 4-0, I am going to LOL hard.

[Gray Fox]

If you assume Coutinho as playing in from the left, then Lemar is a direct replacement in terms of position. He is however more a left footed left winger, so you're more likely to see him attacking his full back than cutting inside and firing a shot/pass off.

If you see Coutinho as playing from the centre it's more confusing. Not forgetting we have Lallana to come back. There's still Emre Can, Henderson, Milner, Wijnaldum, Woodburn and Grujic. Other than Lallana and maybe Woodburn you'd not really want to play any of the others at CAM. So Coutinho would still need a replacement.

Big twitter rumour of the day for you is that Naby Keita landed in Manchester this morning. Though twitter is about as reliable as Liverpools defending.

[niko_cee]

If Lemar is a fast/powerful wide man then I like the sound of him. I have no idea if he is. Some combination of him, "The Ox", that Renato chap Kiko loves and a centre-half for one Coutinho would do.

Brighton should sign Origi on loan, if he's available.

[Weaver]

Dortmund have replaced Ousmane Dembele with Andriy Yarmolenko from Dynamo Kiev.

Four year deal, €25m transfer fee.

[Boydy]

I really don't want Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Apparently the Keita deal has been agreed but he's not moving till next summer.

[niko_cee]

How does Keita have a medical now for a move in a year? What if he does all of the ligaments in his body in the interim?

[Amigo]

http://www.themag.co.uk/2017/08/exclusive-reports-newcastle-ready-sign-maccabi-tel-aviv-striker-newcastle-united/

This would be a pretty cool move. He's scored goals everywhere he's played.

[Mazuuurk]

https://twitter.com/101greatgoals/status/902170233179443202


Looks like a great buy :harold:

[GS]

Oxlade-Chamberlain is rubbish.

[GS]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41075272

There you go. If my reading is correct, we've agreed to pay the buy-out clause in advance (with a premium). It's effectively a buy and loan back at next year's release fee plus some money to get in ahead of other clubs. Which is fine.

[Mazuuurk]

He has been ruined by Wenger. Like so many other players, he's gotten chucked around different positions and roles to the point where he doesn't have a clear identity as a player anymore, and just sort of is mediocre at everything.

[niko_cee]

He's a crap wing-back, but I don't think Liverpool would be buying him to play there.

[Magic]

Lol it's so funny that Andy Carroll is STILL Cess's most expensive signing.

[John Arne]

Lol it's so funny that Andy Carroll is STILL Cess's most expensive signing.

He isn't. Salah is.

EDIT: I'm guessing "Cess" is Liverpool or West Ham???

[Samadini]

Ours is still Michael Owen in 2005 :face:

[Magic]

He isn't. Salah is.

EDIT: I'm guessing "Cess" is Liverpool or West Ham???

From BBC:

Liverpool have agreed a club record deal to sign RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita, with the player officially joining in July 2018.
The Reds have agreed to pay the £48m release clause that will allow him to move next summer, plus an undisclosed premium.
The 22-year-old had been one of Jurgen Klopp's primary targets this summer, but Leipzig had refused to sell.
The deal will surpass the £35m paid to Newcastle for Andy Carroll in 2011.

[Magic]

Shite journalism!

[Magic]

Ours is still Michael Owen in 2005 :face:

Ours was Rio Duck Face in 2000 for £18m.

[Weaver]

Sky have confirmed that Chelsea and Arsenal have agreed a fee for Oxlade Chamberlain, approximately £35m.

Over to Jimmy for more.


Ours is still Michael Owen in 2005 :face:

I wonder when we'll actually break that?

[GS]

£35m. :D

[Davgooner]

:roflol:

[Samadini]

I wonder when we'll actually break that?

Probably a January panic buy when we're in the shit. Will be some absolute wank as well if Oxlade-Chamberlain is going for £35m.

[Magic]

How many more times do we need to say 'Football's broken' this window? For fuck's sake, really.

[GS]

The lad has one year left on his contract, too. Liverpool flogged a similarly aged Michael Owen for £8m in the same circumstances, albeit in 2004.

[John Arne]

From BBC:

Liverpool have agreed a club record deal to sign RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita, with the player officially joining in July 2018.
The Reds have agreed to pay the £48m release clause that will allow him to move next summer, plus an undisclosed premium.
The 22-year-old had been one of Jurgen Klopp's primary targets this summer, but Leipzig had refused to sell.
The deal will surpass the £35m paid to Newcastle for Andy Carroll in 2011.

Until it's confirmed by either Liverpool or RBL, I'll stick with Salah for now. Either way, it's not Carroll, you massive pleb.

[Magic]

Until it's confirmed by either Liverpool or RBL, I'll stick with Salah for now. Either way, it's not Carroll, you massive pleb.

Why are you calling me a pleb you fucking Gary Glitter wannabe.

[GS]

Either way, I hadn't heard of Keita until June and have never seen him play. However, I've just watched a three minute highlights package and he's clearly the best midfielder in Europe. Next year but one it's Our Year™.

[Waffdon]

Victor Moses and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as your first choice right wing back. Offft.

He'd do a job in the Willian role, that's about it. Apparently they're after Drinkwater and Llorente too. Christ.

[Lewis]

Why not just buy him next year instead of adding this 'undisclosed premium'?

[Baz]

Why not just buy him next year instead of adding this 'undisclosed premium'?Cos PSG would nick him.

[GS]

Presumably because other clubs would wade in next year and complicate it. To be fair, I do think it's sensible. For the sake of a few million quid (presumably), they've managed to secure their top target and can worry about what thoroughly underwhelming defensive options they can squander tens of millions on instead.

[John Arne]

Why are you calling me a pleb you fucking Gary Glitter wannabe.

Stop emailing me for pics, and I'll stop calling you a pleb.

[Magic]

Stop emailing me for pics, and I'll stop calling you a pleb.

Those NK Kiddies are so untouched thoe

[Giggles]

Why the fuck do teams in the top 6 want Chamberlain?

[Lewis]

Cos PSG would nick him.

In that case why has he gone along with it?

[Reg]

I think Ox is pretty good. But the clips they picked out on Match of the Day 2 last night were pretty shocking.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The fee for Chambermaid :D

I think it's smart business for Keita, he looks like a handy player and for a few million more or so, to secure him now is good.

[Magic]

What's his % of successfully completed passes per 5 minutes of active game time divided by assists at home per half hour of Autumnul game time? Can't be including winter pitches.

[-james-]

Oxlade-Chamberlain will be good at Chelsea, and the move weakens Arsenal's already laughably shit squad. I'm looking forward to the hilarious panic buys over the next few days.

[Lewis]

It's the first transfer ever where somehow everybody loses.

[niko_cee]

I think it's smart business for Keita, he looks like a handy player and for a few million more or so, to secure him now is good.

Some German rag has it around €20m more.

But then, next summer £70m will be this year's Jonny Evans fee.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What was the top bid for this season?

20 is a high premium but you get your number 1 target ahead of the bigger clubs.

[Davgooner]

Chambermaid :D



I've missed this kind of banter.

The lad is better of getting out now. Every chance he could still be a proper player with the right manager.

[Giggles]

What's he doing to play at Chelsea? 10 games a season?

That said, I presume the reimbursement is ample enough.

[Kikó]

I've missed this kind of banter.

The lad is better of getting out now. Every chance he could still be a proper player with the right manager.

Saw you on arsenal TV last night. Spot on as usual.

[Shindig]

Siem De Jong's off to Ajax. Godspeed, lad. Also, some "Shut up and get on with his job." quote that's been attributed to Rafa with regards to his position. I think he's off as soon as a job comes up.

[7om]

Saw you on arsenal TV last night. Spot on as usual.

Please tell me he's Troopz.

[Samadini]

Siem De Jong's off to Ajax. Godspeed, lad. Also, some "Shut up and get on with his job." quote that's been attributed to Rafa with regards to his position. I think he's off as soon as a job comes up.

West Ham want him. Given they're able to bid £40m on a single player and they already signed two players he was after this Summer, I could see it happen.

[GS]

Rafa is a top, top manager, but he's really wasting his time up there. It'll be a real shame if he does leave, because it'll be entirely Ashley's own fault.

[Gray Fox]

I go to work and it all happens.

We've had two bids for Lemar (£55m, £64m) rejected. I had no idea we were even interested until yesterday.

Looks also like random twitter rumour came off for once. Good to see us get Keita. Our top bid for him was about £70m, so we got him a little cheaper in the long run, but it's a shame we have to wait a season for him.

[ScousePig]

Rafa is a top, top manager, but he's really wasting his time up there. It'll be a real shame if he does leave, because it'll be entirely Ashley's own fault.

And presumably if he does shit up there, it'll be all Ashley's fault and nothing to do with Benitez?

[John Arne]

:drool:

https://i.gyazo.com/f3d68eecd179383cd9de4fffbc66df23.gif

[Giggles]

He looks like me trying that.

[phonics]

City have offered Sterling + Cash for Sanchez.

[niko_cee]

Isn't he one of their few precious homegrown players?

[phonics]

That's what Johnny Evans is for.

[Giggles]

When's the actual deadline?

[Jimmy Floyd]

That's mad. Sanchez has one contract in him, Sterling has a decade.

[phonics]

Sanchez can kick a football though. I've got the :drool: out already for the Wellbeck air shot into Sterling mishit bouncing in off Wes Morgans fat arse.

I'm fine with it tbh, though I'd rather he went somewhere else. If we could then get Ozil out and bring in Isco, I'd be happy.

[CJay]

Yeah, everyone would be happy with Isco.

[phonics]

I've just realised that we've been a more successful team than Man City since he signed for them. You forget how massively they've underachieved the last 3 years.

[SincereTheRebel]

To the players, i think its only league titles and europe that count.

[John Arne]

Naby Keita confirmed (for next season) by Liverpool.

http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/273590-liverpool-agree-deal-to-sign-naby-keita

[SincereTheRebel]

Kevin Wimmer joins stoke from tottenham for £18m

https://twitter.com/stokecity/status/902456195344203776

[GS]

And presumably if he does shit up there, it'll be all Ashley's fault and nothing to do with Benitez?

No, but there's clearly an issue with investment in the playing squad and Rafa has a track record that shows he's more likely to do well than not if you back him.

[-james-]

When was the last time a player + cash deal actually happened? Zlatan for Eto'o?

Surefire bullshit indicator I think.

[Kikó]

Why would you get rid of Sterling?

[phonics]

Why would you get rid of Sterling?

Values fallen since Brexit.

[Kikó]

Very good.

[Jimmy Floyd]

'investment in the playing squad' is a brilliant bullshit corporate phrase.

'We have to strengthen the first team playing squad at this football club'

[GS]

It would be reasonably amusing if Sterling was moved on given the fit he through to force the move to begin with.

[SincereTheRebel]

Watford have pulled out of a deal to sign kieran gibbs. Arsenal really are weird at the moment. When you have those fringe players you dont want any more. You cant really play tough love with the club who wants to buy them.

He will probably be on the way to wba, but still.

[randomlegend]

It would be reasonably amusing if Sterling was moved on given the fit he through to force the move to begin with.

:nono:

[phonics]

Watford have pulled out of a deal to sign kieran gibbs. Arsenal really are weird at the moment. When you have those fringe players you dont want any more. You cant really play tough love with the club who wants to buy them.

He will probably be on the way to wba, but still.

He turned them down. Won't give him the 65k he's getting at Arsenal.

[SincereTheRebel]

Benedikt Howedes could be on the way to juventus on loan, with an option to buy
http://www.espnfc.com/story/3190761/schalke-confirm-opening-juventus-bid-for-benedikt-howedes

Alberto Aqualini has joined las palms
https://twitter.com/LasPalmasSphera/status/902238776197513216

Roma sign Patrik Schick
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4831572/Roma-set-sign-Sampdoria-s-Patrik-Schick.html

Arda turan is linked with monaco
http://www.101greatgoals.com/news/transfers/monaco-look-barcelona-search-thomas-lemar-replacement/

Jonny Evans is linked with arsenal
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/08/29/arsenal-join-race-sign-jonny-evans-west-brom-ahead-transfer/

[Baz]

The Ox to liverpool seems to stil be a possibility. :uhoh:

[Magic]

Haven't Chelsea agreed a fee?

[bruhnaldo]

Why the fuck would Sterling agree to move to Arsenal?

[Yevrah]

Well if he's being used as a makeweight in a deal he can presumably see he's not wanted that much.

Wenger won't be there forever and they'd be a proper team with the right manager.

[bruhnaldo]

So put in a transfer request and go to Chelsea or some shit.

Surely Chelsea'd rather have him than Ox? Or am I just talking dumb shit now?

[bruhnaldo]

I've just noticed Ox is older than Sterling. That's so mental to me for some reason.

[Yevrah]

Would Chelsea want him? He's a bit too much piss and wind for my liking.

[Lewis]

I would take Raheem Sterling and money for 'Alexis'. The next manager could build the team around him.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Would Chelsea want him? He's a bit too much piss and wind for my liking.

We need any English player and also need a midfielder, so we'll take him.

[Weaver]

I can't see it happening either, but this update from Sky a few minutes ago has made me laugh.


SANCHEZ, STERLING UPDATE

Details of the negotiations which have taken place between Manchester City and Arsenal are becoming a little clearer this afternoon...

We understand Manchester City are keen on a simple cash-only deal for Alexis Sanchez.

Arsenal, however, are considering a deal which involves Sanchez heading for Manchester City, with Raheem Sterling heading for north London. Interestingly, we understand that the deal would also include Arsenal paying a fee to City as a makeweight.

So, to confirm, that's Arsenal paying City a fee for Sterling, with Sanchez also going to City. Wow!

[GS]

Fucking hell, they're mad.

[bruhnaldo]

:happycry:

[niko_cee]

That would make more sense though. Sanchez has little to no actual value and Sterling is young, half decent and presumably contracted to City forever.

[SvN]

Yep, Sterling is more valuable than Sanchez. The deal actually makes sense now.

[randomlegend]

Yeah that's completely batshit if it's true.

EDIT: Really? SvN :cab:

[Mike]

Arsenal are the best at transfers! :clap::charm:

[SvN]

Sanchez is 28 (nearly 29) with one year left on his contract, and wants to leave. Sterling is 22 and has 3 years left, and moved for £50million 2 years ago BEFORE the market went totally mental. It's a no brainer.

[mugbull]

Sanchez is the most talented player in the league and Sterling is mentally retarded. The age difference makes up for part, but not all, of it.

[SvN]

And in 12 months he'll be worth nothing.

[mugbull]

He dies next year??

[Lewis]

I would swap them, but if they end up adding twenty-odd million then it might just tip into lol territory.

[phonics]

Sanchez Aguero straight swap pls.

[Disco]

At a time when money means nothing the better player is more valuable.

[niko_cee]

City aren't going to let him go, but it would be quite lol if Sterling ended up at CRISIS Arsenal after a few years of failure in Manchester.

I'm sure Harold hated him so we should let him back to see if that opinion still holds when he's their main man.

[Disco]

No need, he'll probably tell himself all about it over on TR.

[Boydy]

Will Sterling actually want to go to Arsenal? I mean who in their right mind would at the minute?

[Foe]

The seethe of the Arsenal fans if they have to watch Sanchez go and see the club pay to replace him with sterling would be quite something. Just keep him for the season and use the male weight next summer to fund a replacement or just chuck it into his wages.

[niko_cee]

What is Sanchez going to do for Arsenal this season? Keep them up? They may as well take some money.

[Foe]

With Sanchez if they sort themselves out they have a shot at top 4. Without Sanchez they're basically throwing in the towel now for the season.

There's always the hope that he changes his mind and re signs or as a free agent decides to go to Barcelona, psg, real or Bayern and you don't have to watch him tear the league up for a rival.

[Davgooner]

I just hope we keep hold of Ozil and Walcott.

[Yevrah]

Ozil would be fine for another club, Walcott probably not so much.

[Davgooner]

Hard to shift Ozil now he's found his perfect club.

[Yevrah]

Change of manager should solve everything then.

[Shindig]

No, but there's clearly an issue with investment in the playing squad and Rafa has a track record that shows he's more likely to do well than not if you back him.

He allowed McClaren to spend £81.6m on players.

[niko_cee]

BBC have Arsenal rejecting £50m for Sanchez from City.

[Raoul Duke]

Ozil should go to Atletico. Simeone would make a man out of him.

[Shindig]

Grant Hanley to Norwich for £5m. Get somebody in, man. Two defenders died on the opening day. DIED.

[Reg]

Ozil should go to Atletico. Simeone would make a man out of him.
Yeah but before trying he'd spit on him in disgust.

[GS]

I'd say it was odds-on that Simeone would end up nutting him when he didn't bother running back.

[Shindig]

We'll have him. We'll have anyone.

[Waffdon]

Chamberlain has rejected Chelsea as he thinks they'll play him as a Wing Back, apparently.