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

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I only go to Greasy.

[Lewis]

Shame the camgirl wouldn't.

If he has BOTTLED IT, I would go for Alexis 'Alexis' Sanchez. Forty million and a quid should do it.

[Mazuuurk]

The thing with Sanchez is that I feel he has maximum 2 more years performing like this in him. If that.

Re-schooling him (properly) to a striker is probably the best bet to get the most out of him past 30.

[Reg]

By judging an attacking player with so much emphasis on assists/goals you're ignoring the rest of they offer. Would Arsenal's attacks be better off without Ozil? No. Does he make other players better? Yes. Would Sanchez have scored so many and had such a good season if Matt Philipps replaced Ozil? No.

I think Lukaku or Morata would do better than Greaseman for United, and most teams in the Premier League.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We might as well buy Lukaku for about £500 million, since re-signing people Mourinho let go is one of our favourite pastimes.

[Lewis]

For forty million and a quid you could get two years out of Sanchez and then see what else is out there in 2019.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Sanchez seems set for a Nazi armband and a year's supply of pretzels.

[Lewis]

Oh well. Maybe just give Wayne Rooney another season.

[Gray Fox]

Big rumours afoot about us signing Salah for roughly £40m. Seems slightly out of nowhere but I suppose it'd be a good start.

[Reg]

Big rumours afoot about us signing Salah for roughly £40m. Seems slightly out of nowhere but I suppose it'd be a good start.
I'm not sure he's good enough for a top 6 Premier League team. Not as a guaranteed starter anyway. But he'd be a good option if you can afford to spend 40 million and have him rotating.

[Trancemeister]

Darren Fletcher to Stoke

[Gray Fox]

I'm not sure he's good enough for a top 6 Premier League team. Not as a guaranteed starter anyway. But he'd be a good option if you can afford to spend 40 million and have him rotating.

I thought exactly this about Mané before we signed him. Thought it was a big mistake, however he's now become what I believe to be our best player.

The fee raises eyebrows but with the BT deal in full effect, we have now a situation where your standard £10-15m transfer from a few years ago is now £30-40m. I'd assume a club like ours would be able to spend £150m or so if needed.

[-james-]

Solanke to Liverpool seems an odd one.

I don't have an opinion on the lad but why have Chelsea sold, and why has he left?

[Weaver]

Solanke to Liverpool seems an odd one.

I don't have an opinion on the lad but why have Chelsea sold, and why has he left?

Apparently he's asked for a lot of money and Chelsea weren't willing to give him it. Basically the same deal as Pogba, Man United and Juventus when he went a few years ago.

[Giggles]

I'm amazed you don't have a tragic wanky nickname for him, or is that only after he actually signs?

Magic calls him Grilolezlolman.

[Pleb]

"Pepe Reina's agent is in talks with Napoli over the goalkeeper's future at the Serie A side, amid interest from Newcastle United where the 34-year-old Spaniard would be reunited with former boss Rafael Benitez.(Chronicle)"

:D

[Magic]

Magic calls him Grilolezlolman.

Greaseman will suffice in this instance.

[Shindig]

"Pepe Reina's agent is in talks with Napoli over the goalkeeper's future at the Serie A side, amid interest from Newcastle United where the 34-year-old Spaniard would be reunited with former boss Rafael Benitez.(Chronicle)"

:D

Hmmmm. Nope. Not unless he's winding up a coach.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Solanke to Liverpool seems an odd one.

I don't have an opinion on the lad but why have Chelsea sold, and why has he left?

He/his agent are greedy, demanding a huge, first team style salary off the back of a youth cup and a few goals on loan for Vitesse Arnhem. In fact they've been demanding it since before Vitesse Arnhem.

He is a skilful player but wouldn't get in our side and will do nothing in football with that outlook.

[Giggles]

He/his agent are greedy, demanding a huge, first team style salary off the back of a youth cup and a few goals on loan for Vitesse Arnhem. In fact they've been demanding it since before Vitesse Arnhem.

He is a skilful player but wouldn't get in our side and will do nothing in football with that outlook.

The next big thing and missing piece of the jigsaw (TM).

[phonics]

Arsenal have bid 90m for M'Bappe. In other news, season ticket sales have been slow.

[Magic]

Really? :D

Edit: he does appear to be worth that easily though.

[Offshore Toon]

It wouldn't be the most ridiculous move. He needs to carry on playing and he'd be able to force a move if he wanted to.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/06/02/monaco-reject-arsenals-87m-kylian-mbappe-bid/

Rejected.

Apparently Madrid offered £105m earlier in the week which was also rejected. Nice of Arsenal to offer them less in the hope of signing him.

[Disco]

It's Arsenal, they only want to be seen to be after the best players. They'll end up with a lightweight midfielder and a centre back you've never heard of, just like every year.

[John]

I'm not sure he's good enough for a top 6 Premier League team. Not as a guaranteed starter anyway. But he'd be a good option if you can afford to spend 40 million and have him rotating.

Of course he's good enough. He's comfortably the best player in the side that's just finished second in Serie A.

[Reg]

In my opinion Nainggolan is a much better player, and I'd rather have Strootman and Florenzi (when he's not broken) in my team too.

And I think Liverpool, and the rest of the top six here, would beat Roma on most days. So 'second in Serie A' doesn't carry that much weight.

[John]

I'd forgotten about Nainggolan, but he's miles better than the other two.

[mo]

Not so much a transfer rumour but seems Teddy Sheringham is back in management with my beloved basket case.

[John]

Carlos Pena all but signed, with Edouard Herrera supposed to follow by Monday.

Talk to me, Pepe.

[Gray Fox]

Apparently our bid was just shy of £30m. Roma seem to want closer to £45m for him.

Given our record under these lot we'll cool all interest now and watch as somone comes in and buys him with no fuss for £35m. I'd like to see him signed as he's a great option to add to that attack. Depending on what Klopp thinks of Solanke he might not even buy a striker if we end up getting Salah.

Klopp does like his business done before pre-season begins, so I guess we'll see pretty quickly.

[mo]

Not so much a transfer rumour but seems Teddy Sheringham is back in management with my beloved basket case.

In appropriate fashion, it appears reports of Sheringham's demise were premature. Nothing to see here.

[Giggles]

Another one. PNE should just set up shop over here.

Good for Cork too as they get money for him and the league is already wrapped up at this stage.

870928574651432960

[Lewis]

I've just watched Ray Wilkins on Sky Sports News recommending that Tottenham sign Antoine Griezmann for in case Harry Kane gets injured.

[Yevrah]

I've always lumped Ray Wilkins in the complete and utter tool basket of football punditry, along with Ray Houghton.

[Gray Fox]

Did I also hear him suggesting Spurs' current bunch of LADS stand no chance of winning the title? Despite them being comfortably better than everyone else that wasn't called Chelsea.

[Lewis]

Well that is true.

[Pepe]

Carlos Pena all but signed, with Edouard Herrera supposed to follow by Monday.

Talk to me, Pepe.

I have only seen Peña play a few times, and that was a couple of years ago. I have never seen Eduardo Herrera play.

You're welcome.

[Adamski]

Idiot

[Kikó]

I've always lumped Ray Wilkins in the complete and utter tool basket of football punditry, along with Ray Houghton.

He probably likes the sauce too much.

[Reg]

From this Guardian article https://www.theguardian.com/football/who-scored-blog/2017/jun/01/premier-league-summer-transfer-target-clubs on who each Premier League club should target:


Chelsea: Andrea Conti
Victor Moses exceeded expectations in his new right wing-back role but his season ended in disappointment and controversy. Antonio Conte would clearly like more options on the right and he’s rumoured to have an interest in his near-namesake, Conti, who has enjoyed an excellent season for Serie A’s surprise package Atalanta. The 23-year-old weighed in with eight goals and five assists from the flank in a similar system to that used by Chelsea.

I'd like it to happen so they have Conte, Conti and Kante.

Ours is Ruddy to replace Stockdale. Would be decent but like it says not the most exciting.

[Shindig]

You grab a Conteh to complete the set.

[Reg]

Guardian: Speaking on Sunday morning during the French television programme Telefoot, Griezmann said: “The ruling of the CAS has come through. Atlético cannot recruit. With my sporting adviser, Eric Olhats, we decided to stay. It’s a hard time for the club. It would be a dirty move to leave now. We talked to the leaders and we will be back for next season.”

Also Hazard has said he'll consider an offer from Real Madrid. There seems to be a good chance of that one happening - they're due another huge name.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Ray Wilkins drinks in a pub near me and, well, yeah.

[randomlegend]

I'm not sure where on earth Hazard is meant to fit into the Real Madrid team.

[Reg]

Where can anyone fit though? Especially outfield. (I think Navas looks great but already having great players hasn't stopped them in the past.) They're sure to buy someone.

[randomlegend]

But I can't even see how it's going to work next season with the players they already have, nonetheless adding Hazard into the mix.

I mean they're already struggling to accommodate both Isco and Bale since the change in formation (and James, although he'll probably be sold).

[Baz]

Zidane has gone on record a lot in the past saying he wants Hazard.

[Shindig]

Thorgen it is.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We could tolerate losing Hazard, especially for silly money.

[Reg]

Yeah, their squad is ridiculous. But if most of them are happy it works. They almost had a league and a Champions League team by the end of it, so maybe that's part of the plan again.

I guess maybe Hazard and Bale would come in for Isco and Benzema; Ronaldo up front on his own.

[randomlegend]

They've been playing a narrow diamond lately haven't they, with two up front?

[Lewis]

You could see Bareth Gale wanting a move if they signed another major player. Not least because his commercial value would surely skyrocket as the top boy at United, and the effective 'Face of the Premier League'. So I'm all for it.

[randomlegend]

He's always injured though.

[Lewis]

So is everyone. Think of the re-tweets.

[Pen]

Already burning my 'Greazy 7' shirt and ordering the 'Bale 7' before they sell out.

[Reg]

They've been playing a narrow diamond lately haven't they, with two up front?
Yeah, but Zidane seems flexible. I think Bale will be ahead of Isco, as well as he's played, and assuming Hazard goes there I think 4-3-3's most likely.

[Gray Fox]

Navas

Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo
Kroos, Modric
Isco
Bale, Ronaldo, Hazard

Ronaldo finally accepted being rested this season, took someone as big as Zidane to make him though. He'll move infield and make people create all the chances for him. It's pretty attacking, but in bigger games you can drop one of the three out for Casemiro.

EDIT: Didn't see new page.

[Raoul Duke]

Benzema is bobbins, someone will take his place. Isco was the best non-Ronaldo player on the park yesterday.

[randomlegend]

If they bin off Casemiro to do that 4-2-1-3 it'll be the same as when they ditched Makalele and it all went to shit.

[randomlegend]

https://twitter.com/HLNinEngeland/status/871483780913082369

Lol never mind.

[Lewis]

Remember they want Kylian Mbappe as well. But he would be daft to leave France for at least another season (and I think anyone would be daft to spend a hundred million on him for at least another season), so it will probably be Eden Hazard or nobody. Whatever happens, that rumour about United accepting Alvaro Morata plus twenty million for Dave Gayer is revolting.

[niko_cee]

£35m for Mo Salah seems a bit mental (didn't Gervinho have a stonking year at Roma once?) but I thought similarly about Mané so who knows. I suppose they are similar in their directness which is good, although if he's any good the Afcon fucks you even more. Buying players out of Serie A is usually a safe bet . . .

Should have just signed 3 years ago or whatever it was, the stupid twat.

[Gray Fox]

£35m for Mo Salah seems a bit mental (didn't Gervinho have a stonking year at Roma once?) but I thought similarly about Mané so who knows. I suppose they are similar in their directness which is good, although if he's any good the Afcon fucks you even more. Buying players out of Serie A is usually a safe bet . . .

Should have just signed 3 years ago or whatever it was, the stupid twat.


This wasn't down to him. We wouldn't stump up the extra few million they added on when Chelsea bid too. He only had them to choose from so us having to pay all this extra is down to us.

As for the fee, you've got the EPL money essentially tripling in the last few years, with the Bundesliga deal coming in that doubles theirs. It wont be long before the Italians and Spanish(especially if they ever share theirs out fairly) follow suit. This means what was a £15-20m transfer a few years ago is now close to double that.
We'll see a £100m player pretty soon.

[Lewis]

It's like the classic car market. Everything has boomed over the past decade because rich tossers haven't got anything better to sink money into, but now we're at (beyond) the point where most things simply aren't worth the money. The real top, top stuff will hold its value; but idiots who have bought less than great eighties Ferraris expecting their values to keep rising are already having their wallets torched, because nobody is going to buy a Testarossa for 458 money.

What I'm saying is, City and United (and to a lesser extent Arsenal and Chelsea) will still overpay for most signings, especially domestic ones, but they can also now compete for the top, top players who are actually worth it, because if you're paying forty then you might as well pay sixty. Meanwhile, everyone below Tottenham is effectively fishing in the same pond, and the foreign clubs know it.

[randomlegend]

Madrid are apparently going to bid 135m euros for Mbappe (:cab:) and will sell James, with United one of the teams interested in him.

[Lewis]

Gale or nothing.

[niko_cee]

Auntie says Big Virgil prefers Liverpool to Chelsea or City.

Curious.

[Lewis]

City is understandable. He probably doesn't want to take the blame for John Stones being shit all year. But turning Chelsea down is BOTTLER behaviour.

[Reg]

Jimmy Rodriguez and Lukaku, plus a centre mid to replace Carrick, would be a great summer for them.

[Raoul Duke]

Chelsea have about fifteen centre backs any way, they don't need some dutch numpty.

[Giggles]

Chelsea have about fifteen centre backs any way, they don't need some dutch numpty.

Exactly. 'Prefers Liverpool' is translation for Chelsea have told his agent they don't want him.

[niko_cee]

You'd still think he'd go to City for 80 billion a week.

They'd be welcome to him as well.


Jimmy Rodriguez and Lukaku, plus a centre mid to replace Carrick, would be a great summer for them.

Aren't those two just about the least Mourinho players going?

[Reg]

You'd think James was. Lukaku's big, strong and quick though. In other words, Drogba/Costa-like.

[Waffdon]

Chelsea have about fifteen centre backs any way, they don't need some dutch numpty.

Only two decent ones though.

[Foe]

That Christiansen lad is going to come back and do an Alex.

Complely anonymous to absolute monster.

[Lewis]

If United sign Romelu Lukaku you would have to entertain the theory that Mourinho deliberately forced him out knowing that, when he realised his potential, he would no longer be at Chelsea, and that it would be easier to acquire him from a smaller team. The ultimate MIND GAME.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He seems to have gone full circle on Juan Mata, so anything's possible.

The beef they had centred around Lukaku being a lazy fuck, which he still is to be honest, so I don't know.

[Gray Fox]

I don't necessarily agree with the signing of Van Dijk but if we get him and Salah I'll be impressed. They are seemingly our priority targets in their positions. We havent had to settle for the 3rd or 4th choice on the list.

It's an odd feeling.

[CJay]

What's not to agree with? We need a centre back - although I do like our current options, they aren't as good as we need. And Van Dijk has proven himself to be top quality, and he's young. It is a bit ridiculous that we're buying another Southampton player, though.

[Gray Fox]

What's not to agree with? We need a centre back - although I do like our current options, they aren't as good as we need. And Van Dijk has proven himself to be top quality, and he's young. It is a bit ridiculous that we're buying another Southampton player, though.

The injury that kept him out half of the season. I'd like to have seen how he'd recovered before breaking our transfer record on him. It does make sense otherwise though.

I really hope we keep Sakho too. Our defence would be massively upgraded by pushing Klavan way down the order. Van Dijk/Sakho/Lovren/Matip looks much better than Lovren/Matip/Klavan/Lucas.

[Kikó]

If United sign Romelu Lukaku you would have to entertain the theory that Mourinho deliberately forced him out knowing that, when he realised his potential, he would no longer be at Chelsea, and that it would be easier to acquire him from a smaller team. The ultimate MIND GAME.

He can bang but he's awful with his back to goal. Industrial first touch.

The perfect Rooney replacement.

[randomlegend]

I miss ITKiko.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Leonid Slutsky is going to be announced as Hull's new manager next week.

https://images.cdn.fourfourtwo.com/sites/fourfourtwo.com/files/styles/image_landscape/public/leonidslutsky-cropped_yvxbqjh4sy0q192lhbho1cfjn.jpg?itok=x839tWF y&c=87b6d99828d88c1b8ffe17a08d24fc7d

[Jimmy Floyd]

Like a vodka-soaked Christian Gross.

[phonics]

The WARCHEST cracks open and out pops Sead Kolasinasic, a left back on a free transfer.

[niko_cee]

That was agreed ages ago wasn't it? Sounded quite shrewd at the time. Got to be better than Monreal.

[Magic]

The WARCHEST cracks open and out pops Sead Kolasinasic, a left back on a free transfer.

Pathetic, bitter cunt. Wenger IN.

[Lofty]

Big Weng has taken Gazidis with him to ensure Mbappe gets a starting spot in his Arsenal Nearly XI

[Lewis]

He can bang but he's awful with his back to goal. Industrial first touch.

The perfect Rooney replacement.

True. I'm not all that sold on him. But if it happens then he definitely planned it. The French BOTTLER being a French BOTTLER has thrown a bit of a bollock into things, and I think, provided 1) it doesn't mean Dave Gayer leaving; and 2) they can also sign a mega wide player, Morata might be the best option. I think he would work particularly well in the 6-2-2 important fixture formation.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The WARCHEST cracks open and out pops Sead Kolasinasic, a left back on a free transfer.

He can also play at left midfield too.

[Lewis]

*LM

[Reg]

Spalletti is the new Inter coach. Their fifth in the last year.

Good move for Inter. It'd be interesting to see them challenge next season.

[Jimmy Floyd]

In the same way it would be interesting to see the Greens win the election?

[Magic]

Spalletti is the new Inter coach. Their fifth in the last year.

Good move for Inter. It'd be interesting to see them challenge next season.

Lol? They're absolute shite!

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

*LM

Apologies.

He's no Diaby.

[Reg]

Things can change quickly, and Spalletti's a good coach. They actually have a very good squad - they should be up there with Roma.

[Waffdon]

He can also play at left midfield too.

Schalke's twitter account was SEETHING his TOTS card was in midfield!

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Schalke's twitter account was SEETHING his TOTS card was in midfield!

As were many on Reddit.

His card is a perfect LB which is a bit of a shitter but bang on form for EA.

[Magic]

Things can change quickly, and Spalletti's a good coach. They actually have a very good squad - they should be up there with Roma.

Do they? Remember Perisic is going.

[Adamski]

They don't have a very good squad at all when you drill down into it.

All of their defenders are very average but are known names. Joao Mario is alright but way way way overrated. As is Kondogbia.

Candreva and Icardi are excellent as are Perisic and Brozovic but underneath that it's a bit style over substance.

[Giggles]

Another one. PNE should just set up shop over here.

Good for Cork too as they get money for him and the league is already wrapped up at this stage.

870928574651432960

And another. I'll have to start supporting this lot.

http://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/preston-swoop-again-to-snap-up-another-cork-city-star-35795050.html

[Lewis]

lol at Madrid wanting eighty million for Morata. Then again, we all knew smaller foreign clubs would be taking the piss this summer.

[randomlegend]

Seems like it'll be the £87m release clause for Belotti then........

[Lewis]

As if Torino could hold out for that. You could buy the entire club for less.

[Gray Fox]

Apparently Southampton have sacked Puel.

[Dark Soldier]

We'll sign Vardy and be fucking delighted.

[Kikó]

Bury?

[Shindig]

What's up with Hart? IS he still looking for a new club or has Torino made it permanent?

[Gray Fox]

I don't think Torino have/want to pay, the money needed to sign him.

[Shindig]

I can't think of a Serie A or English club that would go for him. When in doubt, say Stoke.

[Weaver]

Derby have bought Curtis Davies from Hull today. Two year contract, undisclosed fee.

Good signing but we've been saying that about Derby loads over the last few years and they're not moving forward.

[CJay]

Apparently Hart's been crap - 19 games without a clean sheet or something.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

http://www.eurosport.com/football/serie-a/2016-2017/torino-president-urbano-cairo-we-didnt-expect-so-many-joe-hart-mistakes_sto6164115/story.shtml

“Hart made a few mistakes, especially when coming out for the ball,” Cairo said. “He is an important goalkeeper. We probably didn’t expect so many mistakes from an England international… but he did some good things, too.”

The future of Hart remains in doubt going into the summer, but Torino are far more preoccupied with whether star striker Belotti will remain or leave.

lol.

[John]

We've signed Fabio Cardoso. Apparently fans of his old club and his previous manager are fucking gutted to have lost him, which is always a good sign.

The other Portuguese we've signed, Dalcio on loan, is less impressive. A striker with two goals in sixty nine games at B team level.

[Mazuuurk]

Sounds like Bellerin is leaving. Seems really retarded to sell him for just about anything.

[John]

He's largely been pants this season, has he not? Seems to have lost a quarter of his pace when he started bulking up too, and his pace was the one really outstanding thing about him.

[phonics]

6 year deal signed 6 months ago. Not a chance. Barcelona barely have two pennies to rub together after paying the wages of the front three. They don't have 50 million quid to spare.

[Mazuuurk]

He did have a pretty bad dip in form in the second half. But I reckon he has enough talent that it might just be temporary and it'll be hard finding someone better, better to try and stick with the players you have and sort out their form.

He does look a bit slower these days though, you're right.

[niko_cee]

Looks like even Liverpool have seen sense on Dick's £60m descendant.

[Lewis]

Having to end their interest is a new one. You used to just bung them another few million to make the pain go away (like when United kidnapped Berbatoss), but I suppose at fifty/sixty million they would start wanting an extra ten, at which point lol lads you're still Southampton.

[niko_cee]

£60m and £200k a week seems like both his agent and Southampton might have gone a bit mental on this one.

[John]

Sixty million would make him the most expensive defender of all time, wouldn't it? I was thinking earlier that the current record must be shared between John Stones and when David Luiz went to PSG, which shows how mental things have gone. It would have been Rio Ferdinand for about ten years.

[Lewis]

There is a great SEETHE letter on Football365 (http://www.football365.com/news/mails-chelsea-undeserving-of-lukaku-plus-a-flawed-xi) accusing Southampton of being small time. Written by somebody called 'Smiddy'. Right.

[niko_cee]

Meanwhile Roma want about £45m for Salah.

:face:

Alberto Aquilani lads.

So apparently Liverpool are now interested in some Sporting Lisbon fella instead. Over to Kiko on that one (or Saint).

[Lewis]

That one calling Lukaku rubbish is good as well.

[Byron]

“Pointless, petty, pathetic” Saints
Is there a more pointless, petty, pathetic football club than Southampton?

Gossip: “Lots of clubs want Van Dijk”

Southampton: *silence*

Gossip: “Chelsea, City and Liverpool lead race for Van Dijk”

Southampton: *silence*

Gossip: “Arsenal have entered the race for Van Dijk and made an offer to the player”

Southampton: *silence*

Gossip: “Man City have won the race for Van Dijk and have offered him a £200k per week deal”

Southampton: *silence*

Gossip: “Van Dijk has decided he actually wants to move to Liverpool”

Southampton: “WAHHH!!! REPORT THEM, REPORT THEM!!! THEY KEEP SIGNING OUR PLAYERS!!!! WAHHH!!!”

On the day that Evertons Romelu Lakaku says he “has an agreement” with his new club for example, and in these times of contiunal football gossip (“such and such a club has agreed a deal with such and such a player”), are we really going to pretend that clubs and players dont talk?

In everything Southampton do they are the absolute epitome of classic small club mentality. Genuinely pathetic. A club that in recent years has become a regular PL team, has moved to a new stadium, has made literally hundreds and hudreds of millions of pounds from tv deals, sponsership and transfer fees….yet still acts like little old Southampton.

What they and their sad little fans fail to realise is that its a self fulfulling prophecy. Just look at the players they’ve lost over the years. Bale, Shaw, Clyne, Walcott, Lallana, Mane to name but a few. They’ve had Ronald Koeman and Mauricio Pochettino in charge. Yet because of their small time mentality, they’ve lost them all. If the club had actually behaved correctly and more fitting of a PL club, theres a decent chance they’d have kept a lot of them. But if you’re a player or manager there seeing the club constantly moaning and complaining, and acting like a competition winner who actually belongs in League 1, then you’re naturally going to think “why am I wasting my time here?”.

Maybe with a different mindset they might have actually won more than the one paltry FA Cup they have (in 131 years of existence!). But then again, their club legend is a player who was too lazy, too comfortable, and too scared to ever bother testing himself at the highest level and stayed there for his entire career (albeit scoring a couple of decent goals along the way), so I guess that small time mentaility is ingrained in the club.
Smiddy (in before the “if we’re so average, how come Liverpool couldnt beat us last season” crowd….another example of their small club mentality!)

I don't think I've got enough lols in me for that.

[Reg]

'D' is next to 'F' on the keyboard. :sherlock:

[Lofty]

I reckon that letter was written by Alan.

[Kikó]

Meanwhile Roma want about £45m for Salah.

:face:

Alberto Aquilani lads.

So apparently Liverpool are now interested in some Sporting Lisbon fella instead. Over to Kiko on that one (or Saint).

They're not called Sporting Lisbon.

[Magic]

Ryan Gauld?

:lol:

[Shindig]

Nolito's quotes about the Manchester weather ruining his kid's complexion are great.

[Adamski]

We've signed Fabio Cardoso. Apparently fans of his old club and his previous manager are fucking gutted to have lost him, which is always a good sign.

The other Portuguese we've signed, Dalcio on loan, is less impressive. A striker with two goals in sixty nine games at B team level.

Dalcio is a midfielder.

[Ian]

Nolito's quotes about the Manchester weather ruining his kid's complexion are great.

He also managed to make his own failure to learn more than "Good morning" in English sound like just one of life's difficulties rather than him being a lazy twat.

[Offshore Toon]

They're not called Sporting Lisbon.
I've just realised Kikó is trying to turn into The Saint. It all makes sense now.

[Kikó]

I've just realised Kikó is trying to turn into The Saint. It all makes sense now.

:dc:

[Magic]

Dalcio is a midfielder.

:harold:

[Pen]

Did most of Saint's messages end with 'hein' or something like that. Or am I making that up?

[Offshore Toon]

I still use 'hein?' in real life sometimes. Saint. :cool:

[niko_cee]

They're not called Sporting Lisbon.

I'm glad that didn't go unnoticed.

[John]

Dalcio is a midfielder.

The initial reports I read all had him as either a winger or a striker, with some going for the more general 'attacker'.

The BBC have him as a winger and the official club site are saying attacker. Wherever he actually plays it's safe to assume it's an attacking role, so that goal return is underwhelming.

[Gray Fox]

So in the space of 48 hours we look like we've gone from getting our two top targets, to completely giving up on one and dropping down to our 2nd choice instead of paying an extra £5m.

One day these owners might surprise me and get it right first go.

[John Arne]

We're a fucking mess of a club when it comes to transfers. Whoever is in charge of negotiations needs a fucking bullet in the head.

[Adamski]

The initial reports I read all had him as either a winger or a striker, with some going for the more general 'attacker'.

The BBC have him as a winger and the official club site are saying attacker. Wherever he actually plays it's safe to assume it's an attacking role, so that goal return is underwhelming.

Apart from when he played the entirety of last season as a centre mid, you mean?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Looks like Costa is off. Enter kakkers.

[niko_cee]

So in the space of 48 hours we look like we've gone from getting our two top targets, to completely giving up on one and dropping down to our 2nd choice instead of paying an extra £5m.

One day these owners might surprise me and get it right first go.

Spending £100m and the thick end of £300k a week on Salah and Van Dijk isn't doing it right, in any world. It's daft. They're a shambles, no doubt (mostly due to being leaky as fuck), but not signing those two is hardly an indictment if selling clubs are going to take the piss. Transfers are a mugs game.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The way forward in this day and age is to grow your own players and just take agents out of the game. That Woodburn looks decent.

[Magic]

Apart from when he played the entirety of last season as a centre mid, you mean?

:harold:

On the ropes, Johnny boy.

[John]

I've never seen him play, I'm just going on media reports. Adamski being plugged in to the Portuguese B league is a surprise.

On the ropes, indeed. I'm reeling.

[Mazuuurk]

Trust Arsenal to be interested in James 'Hummus' Rodriguez.

He will, without a doubt, be the biggest waste of money since maybe Veron, for whoever does sign him.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Isn't he just a slow tempo bully? Like a shit Riquelme.

[Kikó]

Don't dare badmouth Veron again.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Verón scored the winner for us vs Liverpool, a true blue Bridge legend.

[Magic]

Returning from retirement[edit (https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Juan_Sebasti%C3%A1n_Ver%C3%B3n&action=edit&section=7&editintro=Template:BLP_editintro)]In December 2016, Verón returned to professional football, signing an 18-month contract to play for Estudiantes in the 2017 Copa Libertadores (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Copa_Libertadores). Verón had vowed to return if fans bought 65% of the boxes at the club's new stadium, and fulfilled that promise by signing an 18-month contract; he will be given a minimum salary that will go directly back to the club for everyday operations.[32] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Sebasti%C3%A1n_Ver%C3%B3n#cite_note-32) He made his first appearance for the club since coming out of retirement in a 1–0 friendly victory over Bahia in the Florida Cup (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Florida_Cup), in Orlando, on 15 January 2017, playing the first half, before being substituted.[33] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Sebasti%C3%A1n_Ver%C3%B3n#cite_note-33)

:cab:

[John]

He's their chairman, hence the mad wage arrangement.

[Lewis]

He would probably be the best player in the league by an absolute mile these days. Gutted, mate. If you can't play in a 4-4-fucking-1-1 then you're just an expensive bald waster.

[Mazuuurk]

Veron clearly needed a great manager behind him to flourish.

[John]

Milan are after Diego Costa, apparently. Chelsea could do worse than leaving whatever money they get for him in Italy and coming home with that lad Belotti from Torino.

[Lewis]

United should sign him and Virgil van Dijk on deadline day.

[Mazuuurk]

Milan are after Diego Costa, apparently. Chelsea could do worse than leaving whatever money they get for him in Italy and coming home with that lad Belotti from Torino.

Arsenal should be all over him. Just the kind of fuckhead they need.

[John]

We're being heavily linked with a kid named Alfredo Morelos, a Colombian striker who plays for HJK Helsinki. His goal record looks superb.

Talk to me, Pen.

[Magic]

Midfielder?

[John Arne]

Elsewhere, England are 3-1 against Italy and are heading to the U20 World Cup final against Venezuela :drool:

[Reg]

Don't dare badmouth Veron again.
I always think that's maybe the most underrated transfer of all time.

[Reg]

Milan are after Diego Costa, apparently. Chelsea could do worse than leaving whatever money they get for him in Italy and coming home with that lad Belotti from Torino.

“My relationship with the coach has been bad this season. I suppose I’ve had a bad season so I can’t go on,” Costa said.

“I’m going to be honest, the other day, Conte sent me a message saying he does not count on me for next season, so I’ll have to find a way out.

Some Premier League team has got to buy Lukaku, ffs. He says he's agreed a deal with one of them, so presumably Chelsea now that United are going for Morata/Belotti.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We'll get Lukaku and he'll score fewer goals than he did for Everton.

Has Conte ever played with a lazy lump who can finish up front? Costa, I suppose.

[Max Power]

Shakespeare finally confirmed as permanent manager. Going big for Sigurdsson as well :nodd:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Sigurdsson would be a great signing.

I want Chilwell off you for our left wing back, but such things are pipedreams when there's probably some washed up 28 year old Brazilian in Serie A with a tattoo of the virgin Mary on his navel who can play the position.

[Max Power]

Klopp is a big fan of Chilwell after his nonce mate had him on loan at Huddersfield. Talented boy but still has a way to go. Could be a breakthrough season for him and Demarai Gray next year. Look out for Harvey Barnes as well.

Seems as if the yearly Leicester signing for Chelsea will be Mahrez anyway.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Can see him going the way of Bale (Chilwell this is), albeit surely not quite as spectacularly, but he has the same legs/engine and complete little boy lost demeanour running backwards that GB used to have as a young boy. So a wing back role might be the one. I dunno, I just love full backs in the same way I love left arm spinners.

Not sure where Mahrez fits in for us unless THE SYSTEM gets the chop.

[Max Power]

Not as physically impressive as Bale but can carry the ball so naturally. His best moments have been at wing back for us, second half against Atletico Madrid especially. Unfortunately don't see us playing it that often.

[Magic]

Lol let's face it he'll end up at Burnley before savaging the lower leagues.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm on Big Islam Slimani for a 20 goal season this year, will up it to 45 goals if Sigurdsson goes there, don't tell me Big Islam is going to end up in Russia or something.

[Max Power]

Might be off to CHINA if we get £35m+

[Pen]

We're being heavily linked with a kid named Alfredo Morelos, a Colombian striker who plays for HJK Helsinki. His goal record looks superb.

Talk to me, Pen.

Best striker I've probably ever seen in our domestic league. I think Benfica or someone were after him a while back and it seems HJK are holding out for €2m for him, which might be a big thing for your lotbI'd imagine. Would be well worth it imo and would be gutted to see him go.

[John]

We're supposedly making a deal at a million quid with add ons. Chairman has said the entirety of the season ticket money will be invested in the playing squad, so we're looking at about ten million in incoming deals.

[Pen]

If you end up getting him, I think it will be a good move for both him and you. I think being a guaranteed starter is a key thing for his development at this point and he should do really well in the SPL. Poor mans Lukaku somewhat comes to mind.

[Adamski]

He seems really impressive. Some scoring record.

Deal seems tied up, awaiting work permit.

Herrera and Pena work permits are done and should be announced next week. Daniel Candeias is in Glasgow now, having a medical tomorrow and hopefully announced tomorrow afternoon.

I'm expecting Jamie Walker and Graham Dorrans in within the next week and possibly Kenny McLean later in the window to complete our window.

Incredibly quick and efficient business so far.

[phonics]

Slutsky has been confirmed as Hull manager.

edit: Oh and Garry Monk to Boro.

[Adramelch]

"Slutsky's playing career ended at just 19 years of age. He had to retire due to a knee injury sustained after falling out of a tree while rescuing a neighbour's cat"

[Jimmy Floyd]

I saw Palace were having talks with Walter Mazzarri, which is mental on just about every level.

[phonics]

"Slutsky's playing career ended at just 19 years of age. He had to retire due to a knee injury sustained after falling out of a tree while rescuing a neighbour's cat"

I must have heard Jonathan Wilson tell that story at least 10 times over the last decade.

[Magic]

I must have heard Jonathan Wilson tell that story at least 10 times over the last decade.

Translation: I read it once in 442 and again a few years later on some shit twitter account.

[randomlegend]

Ibramovic confirmed as being released by United today.

Morata rumours picking up pace also, looks like it's going to happen.

EDIT: Apparently Zlatan staying with the club to recover and may or may not get a new contract in 6 months time.

[Magic]

Garry 'The Snake' Monk is the next Boro manager.

:harold:

[Weaver]

Brighton have agreed a fee with Valencia for Matthew Ryan, the Australia goalkeeper. No rumoured figure but a good start to their business IMO.

[Reg]

Not sure I've seen him play but I'm pleased - only going off the facts that he's an international, good enough for Valencia to have seen something in him, and good on FM.

How highly do you rate him, ItalAussie?

[Lewis]

I hope 'Zlatan' comes back for six months when he gets himself fit. United seem to be after both Morata and Andrea Belotti now. I watched a YouTube of the latter the other night, with all of his twenty-odd goals coming from a combined distance of about sixty yards, so their options would cover most circumstances.

[Shindig]

Some top free agents are becoming available from us. Sammy Ameobi, Vurnon Anita (aww ...) and Haris 'well, we tried' Vuckic.

[niko_cee]

The fullbacks City are releasing can't be that bad, can they? Lengthy Serie A careers await.

[Offshore Toon]

Anita was an odd one. He did really well under Rafa in the Prem at right back and he's incredibly versatile.

[ItalAussie]

Not sure I've seen him play but I'm pleased - only going off the facts that he's an international, good enough for Valencia to have seen something in him, and good on FM.

How highly do you rate him, ItalAussie?

Incredibly highly. A really good shot-stopper.

I listed him the other day as one of the three genuinely outstanding Australian players at the moment, and I stand by it.

[phonics]

The fullbacks City are releasing can't be that bad, can they? Lengthy Serie A careers await.

Gael Clichy wasn't even good when he left us.

[randomlegend]

United have signed Lindelof from Benfica.

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2017/Jun/manchester-united-agrees-transfer-with-benfica-for-sweden-defender-victor-lindelof.aspx?utm_campaign=ManUtd&utm_medium=post&utm_source=twitter

[SvN]

That should see the end of Smalling at the club. Perhaps Jones too, although I've read that Jose has a thing for him.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Banging.

So long Smalling.

In terms of Jones, I'd like to keep him but only because of his face and the mental header he did on the ground. He's a weird but somehow loveable hero.

[Reg]

Lindelof really good then?

[Dark Soldier]

Lindelof really good then?


Yes FM says so and that's all that matters

https://i.gyazo.com/4d9f7cfd3dddae54d6a56be33ba79b0c.jpg

[Reg]

Decent but no Chris Smalling.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Let us all appreciate the legend that is Phil Jones please:

http://33.media.tumblr.com/97d74666bd099d435c621955c57cb11b/tumblr_noi34oCAb91shaydvo1_500.gif

A God amongst men.

[Dark Soldier]

Gladly:

http://i.imgur.com/41eh3jR.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/zn8HKSB.jpg

[Reg]

Let us all appreciate the legend that is Phil Jones please:

http://33.media.tumblr.com/97d74666bd099d435c621955c57cb11b/tumblr_noi34oCAb91shaydvo1_500.gif

A God amongst men.
And that's why he's so highly rated on FM. Determination, Agility, Crawling.

[niko_cee]

Tadic for £13m seems to be doing the rounds. It's a release clause apparently. Not at all suspicious. Is that how Spurs got Wanyama for so little (relatively) last summer? No idea what to make of that. I suppose without the release clause they'd want about £40m for him so maybe it is sensible. Not really a fan of filling the squad with 'decent' fodder. Just let the youth team play in the domestic cups and don't worry about the extra workload of the Champions League because it probably won't be a concern for all that long, if at all.

£40m for The Ox as well. Again, no idea. Good player but don't Liverpool primarily need some defenders?

[Kikó]

Lindelof is a good young defender. Him and Bailly are very different so hopefully would mean they compliment each others games.

I pray Chris Smalling is leaving soon. I dread to think he might play in the shirt again. Awful defender.

[Mazuuurk]

I'm not keen on Lindelof playing for Mourinho at all. I mean, if it all goes well and he does well immediately, it'll be fine. But Mourinho also seems like the sort of Manager who can completely kill the career of a young lad.

In general, I don't like the idea of our young talents going straight to a top tier club in the Premier League. Because going to the Premier League generally seems like a big piece of adapting to do in the first place, you really wanna go somewhere where you'll be a guaranteed started for a season or two before moving on.

It might work our perfectly, though.

[Baz]

£40m for The Ox as well. Again, no idea. Good player but don't Liverpool primarily need some defenders?I've been praying for it since it was first murmured about two months ago. :hubba:

[Adamski]

£40m for him would be hilarious enough but only one year left on his deal manages to make it even funnier.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Far be it from me to initiate anything regarding Manchester United transfers, but I just put Sky on and there was a rather tired and emotional looking Ray Wilkins giving it large about Victor Lindelof - 'he's done NOTHING' - being more expensive than Michael Keane - 'we KNOW he can do it'.

I suppose it's to football's credit that Ray is probably getting £500 to say this stuff.

[-james-]

Pickford to Everton for 30 mil.

Football gone mad, one good season etc

Bit of a risk I think but could end up being worth it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He's a good goalkeeper and homegrown, that's what you have to pay these days.

I'm sure Sunderland will spend it wisely.

[Shindig]

Sunderland make profit on a player for the first time since .... erm .... help?

[niko_cee]

Ming.

It's a fair gamble for Everton because their keepers are absolute wank. Robles was diving out of the way of things by the end of the season.

[Weaver]

Sky are reporting that Andrew Robertson and Harry Maguire 'are close' to sorting out moves elsewhere.

Doesn't say where but you'd expect most of the league would fancy at least one of them.

I also read that Sheffield United have got sell on clauses for both Maguire and Kyle Walker, so they could get even mightier than the thread title suggests.

[phonics]

Isn't that just rehashing the Liverpool rumours from earlier in the season?

[Max Power]

Think Maguire is coming Leicester.

[Bam]

Joe Hart will be an hammer by the end of the week and Iheanacho should follow him. We seem to have a hard on for City players at the moment.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Ian will score 20+ for West Ham. World Cup year no less.

[Lewis]

He probably wants more regular football, but United could do a lot worse for twenty million.

[Giggles]

An hammer?

[Bam]

Yes Giggles?

[Reg]

It's hard to really judge a keeper that finished bottom. He's bound to make a lot of saves from time to time due to the amount of shots coming in at him.
Yeah, this is a good point. They've probably analysed all the "chances saved" and "half chances saved" and "shots taken by Eden Hazard rather than Chris Smalling saved" and whatever other stats to death but who knows how reliable that'll be.

[Lewis]

I think Joe Hart should go to a shit team (maybe even drop down a division) for similar reasons. I can't help thinking that his main weaknesses could be coached away quite easily (especially not getting down for things quickly enough), so maybe facing twenty shots a game would do his confidence good and help with the training.

He seems like the ego-type though, so he'll just keep being crap and FRONTING UP wherever he goes.

[Bam]

That's why he'll problaby join us, Lewis.

[Giggles]

Yes Giggles?

Are you Ray Winstone?

[Lewis]

That's why he'll problaby join us, Lewis.

Would you have Big Sam back?

[Bam]

No giggles and no Lewis.

[Gray Fox]

We've finally made contact with Roma again over Salah. If there's not a £35m deal by Friday I'd expect it wont happen at all.

Rumours we're also interested in Tadic as he has a £13m release clause. He's a decent player but no more. I can see the point for depth reasons, but it seems there's a mandatory Southampton purchase clause at the club now.

[Browning]

I hear THE MIGHTY BLADES have signed George Baldock from us which is disappointing if true. He's too good for this level though.

Edit- quick google suggests I'm late to the party and they confirmed it an hour ago.

[Weaver]

David Stockdale has left Brighton to join Birmingham. Not sure what to say to that - just got promoted to the Premier League as a Number 1 and he's dropped to a bottom half Championship team. Barmy.


Think Maguire is coming Leicester.

Yeah I've just seen that, and Robertson's transfer might be to Burnley.

[niko_cee]

He wants some of that sweet sweet trillion trophy action. Hang on, 'Arry's in charge there, isn't he?

[Gray Fox]

A lot to do with them signing Matthew Ryan I think.

[7om]

'Arry :drool:

No idea why Stockdale has joined us. Wasn't there talk of him going to Chelsea to replace Begovic on the bench? Plus we already have two established keepers so this really is a surprise. I trust this mad old fool, though, so I won't pass judgement.

[Reg]

'Arry :drool:

No idea why Stockdale has joined us. Wasn't there talk of him going to Chelsea to replace Begovic on the bench? Plus we already have two established keepers so this really is a surprise. I trust this mad old fool, though, so I won't pass judgement.
Be prepared for horrible clangers and enough good saves for many to forget the said horrible clangers!

[Mellberg]

We're signing Terry because him and Brucey had a round of golf together. Definitely not bollocks.

[Gray Fox]

I've seen us mooted at looking at Zeca. Brazillian left=back from Santos. Admittedly I know nothing of him outside of FM, but he's supposedly has an £11m or so release clause. Surely worth the punt.

[Jimmy Floyd]

- Has only played in South America
- One name
- Eight figure fee
- Good on FM
- Name could easily be a discontinued hatchback

Buy buy buy.

[Gray Fox]

I'd say acutal left-back > no left-back but then last time I said that we signed Konchesky and I was very wrong.

[Reg]

About time you got someone from Southampton. Bertrand's good.

Chelsea after him though, reportedly.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40280691

Eleven years ago, you led Shenzhen football and never let us down.

Nine years ago, you took over responsibilities and saved Shenzhen football.

Memories of fighting together have never gone away, and now we recall the legend.

For Shenzhen, we are reunited, starting a new trip together.

Coach Wang, welcome home.

Amazing.

[Gray Fox]

Southampton confirm Puel sacking. No poem which is disappointing.

[Giggles]

Has there been a fall out or were they actually expecting a lot better?

[Reg]

Coach Wang
Heehee!

[bruhnaldo]

Our top (and damn near only) scorer was arrested for DUI last night :wub:

http://mediaweb.wftv.com/photo/2017/06/15/Cyle%20Larin_20170615124939272_8344362_ver1.0_640_ 360.jpg

We are so fucked!

[Pepe]

How do you pronounce that?

[bruhnaldo]

That being said, rumors we are after Colombian international Juan Quintero (formerly of Porto, loaned out to Medellin in Colombia).

He was listed on the MLS website as an MLS player yesterday and was spotted in Miami with his agent. As seen by my last post we are desperately in need of attacking options.

Not that anyone gives a fuck about Orlando City but hey, you could! Join our UK based supporters group today! http://weareorlandocityuk.com/

[bruhnaldo]

Pepe just like "Kyle" oddly enough.

[Disco]

It's a valid question, after all nobody does first names worse than the americans.

[bruhnaldo]

Well he's Canadian, so...

[Pepe]

Pepe just like "Kyle" oddly enough.

That's what I though, but you never know.

[Reg]

Sigh-lee.