The Summer Transfer Thread [17 May - 9 August]

[Shindig]

Mikel Merino's going back to Spain. Shame, I thought he was lively.

[John Arne]

It's about time someone cut the umbilical cord, especially now that he's been sent off to college.

The picture is from last July, when Keita signed his contract and Stevie G was still at Liverpool.

[Giggles]

The picture is from last July, when Keita signed his contract and Stevie G was still at Liverpool.

That makes more sense.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Rooney has joined DC United.

[Giggles]

Rooney has joined DC United.

Was wondering when I seen a tweet of his earlier.

[Baz]

Ings going, Brewster staying.

Well done Jurg. Now send Solanke to Rangers or something.

[SincereTheRebel]

Chelski have rejected a £50m bid from Barcelona for William

[phonics]

Southampton have signed another striker in their hopes to one day find someone that can score more than 12 in a season. This time it's someone from Basel.

[Kikó]

Chelski 💩

[randomlegend]

Chelski have rejected a £50m bid from Barcelona for William

I don't get the obsession managers seem to have with Willian. He's good, but he's not spectacular and he's getting on. Mourinho apparently wants him too. No thanks.

Edit: daily mail rumours, sincere, come on lad...

[SincereTheRebel]

I watch and see everything. I share it with the rest of you nerds.

Willian is a player all teams needs if you are trying to build a sysyem. He offers amazing service defensively. Man never stops running. Offensively, he isn't the most clinical or potant but he is effective.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I don't get the obsession managers seem to have with Willian. He's good, but he's not spectacular and he's getting on. Mourinho apparently wants him too. No thanks.

Edit: daily mail rumours, sincere, come on lad...

He works hard and is reliable. Managers want that, not flair.

[Andy]

Southampton have signed another striker in their hopes to one day find someone that can score more than 12 in a season. This time it's someone from Basel.

I would be chuffed with a striker who scores 12.

[randomlegend]

He works hard and is reliable. Managers want that, not flair.

He's scored 44 in 236 games for Chelsea. I don't care how hard he works, that's not good enough.

[SincereTheRebel]

Chelsea may not need goals from that position though...

[phonics]

Willian only ever stands out when the team around him is complete arse which I'm not sure to take as a positive or a negative.

[Kikó]

I'm so upset with the Fellaini news.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He's scored 44 in 236 games for Chelsea. I don't care how hard he works, that's not good enough.

He's not a goalscorer and I don't think anyone has ever pretended he is. He's a technically adept wide man who does his defensive work, strikes a decent ball, scores his share, and takes a decent free kick.

Managers like having the above. Especially managers like Mourinho.

[randomlegend]

I'm so upset with the Fellaini news.

The claim is it gives us more to spend on the other positions we need to strengthen since Mourinho wanted another midfielder if he left.

If true then it's fine. Fred replaced Carrick (who never played) in the squad so Fellaini is another place down the pecking order on where he was.

[randomlegend]

He's not a goalscorer and I don't think anyone has ever pretended he is. He's a technically adept wide man who does his defensive work, strikes a decent ball, scores his share, and takes a decent free kick.

Managers like having the above. Especially managers like Mourinho.

He doesn't get assists either though. I just think he's not effective enough to be a sought-after forward at a top club.

[Boydy]

The claim is it gives us more to spend on the other positions we need to strengthen since Mourinho wanted another midfielder if he left.

If true then it's fine. Fred replaced Carrick (who never played) in the squad so Fellaini is another place down the pecking order on where he was.

Thanks to this post, I've only just found out the Fred that United have signed isn't the old not very good striker. I had been really confused about them signing him before.

[randomlegend]

:D

[Jimmy Floyd]

He doesn't get assists either though. I just think he's not effective enough to be a sought-after forward at a top club.

I definitely see him as a midfielder, not a forward. And assists as we know hinge entirely on who's doing the finishing.

If Barcelona want to pay us decent money, though, they're welcome to him and we'll spend the proceeds on sandwiches and crisps.

[SincereTheRebel]

Calum Chambers is signing a new deal at Arsenal. I prefer clubs to stick with the young English players, but he is a train-wreck at times. Perfect for Arsenal it seems.

[Adramelch]

He's scored 44 in 236 games for Chelsea. I don't care how hard he works, that's not good enough.

He has 36 in 143 in the last 3 seasons though which I reckon is good for a winger/attacking midfielder. Surely he doesn't count as a forward?

Hazard has 40 in 137 for reference.

[randomlegend]

Maybe I'm being unfair and thinking of where I'd be expecting him to play for Utd (on the right of a three) rather than where he's actually played which may be further back. Still definitely don't want him.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He'd be good for United. Probably less so for Barça mate.

[randomlegend]

If he can cross we'll take him.

[SincereTheRebel]

He has 36 in 143 in the last 3 seasons though which I reckon is good for a winger/attacking midfielder. Surely he doesn't count as a forward?

Hazard has 40 in 137 for reference.

Oliver Giroud has scored more goals than Hazard. They both made their premire league debut at the same time. Dont bring up Hazard goal scoring record again.

[Kikó]

The claim is it gives us more to spend on the other positions we need to strengthen since Mourinho wanted another midfielder if he left.

If true then it's fine. Fred replaced Carrick (who never played) in the squad so Fellaini is another place down the pecking order on where he was.

This is just backwards wank logic. Get rid of him ffs.

[Adramelch]

Oliver Giroud has scored more goals than Hazard. They both made their premire league debut at the same time. Dont bring up Hazard goal scoring record again.

Giroud is a striker, Hazard is not.

[Spikey M]

What is Hazard? Doesn’t score. Doesn’t provide. What does he do? Go on exciting runs? So did Aaron Lennon.

[niko_cee]

£50m for Willian, who is all about work rate and is going to be 30 come the new season, is batshit.

He's wasted his life at Chelsea. He would have been much more highly regarded if he'd gone to either Spurs or Liverpool when that original transfer fiasco went down. Less medals though.

[Spikey M]

Less wages too.

[Disco]

He wasted his career winning trophies? Gee, what a chump.

[Adramelch]

What is Hazard? Doesn’t score. Doesn’t provide. What does he do? Go on exciting runs? So did Aaron Lennon.

You're probably better off playing Giroud on the wing tbh. I reckon that's why Chelsea bought him, direct replacement.

[niko_cee]

He wasted his career winning trophies? Gee, what a chump.

Aye, but in the alternative career path universe he'd have been winning medals at Real Madrid or Barcelona.

[SincereTheRebel]

Giroud is a striker, Hazard is not.

Hazard has about 25 more assists. Stop making excuses.

[John]

Hazard has about 25 more assists. Stop making excuses.

That would mean Hazard has directly contributed to loads more goals than Giroud, making your wider point complete piffle.

[Adramelch]

I'm genuinely not sure what point Sincere is trying to make here.

[Disco]

Aye, but in the alternative career path universe he'd have been winning medals at Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Oh I see what you mean, fair enough.

[phonics]

Newcastle have signed Ki from Swansea which, all things going well, could end up in Nobby Solanoesque cult status I think. Really interesting player.

[Shindig]

Sweet. I'm genuinely pleased we've bought a player. Looking at the Merino deal, we're probably making £4m profit on him which is fine.

[SincereTheRebel]

Salah signs a new deal with Liverpool

West Ham has made a £25m+ offer for Alassane Plea from Nice. West Ham, from what I can remember have signed so many strikers who have been awful over the years

[randomlegend]

We're signing Lee Grant from Stoke as a third choice goalkeeper so Joel Pereira can go out on loan.

[Kikó]

Game changer.

[Jimmy Floyd]

There are 38 days until the window SLAMS SHUT and we still literally haven't done anything, including sack our manager.

[phonics]

There are 38 days until the window SLAMS SHUT and we still literally haven't done anything, including sack our manager.

We've announced the signing of Sokratis about 3 times already.

[Shindig]

Maybe there's three of him?

[Adramelch]

We all know that if there was three, they would have just signed the shittest one and stopped there.

[Disco]

Are they just trying to spell his name right?

[SincereTheRebel]

Inter Milan have signed Stefan de Vrij and Kwadwo Asamoah.
Leo Botaini is staying with Wolves permanently. He was scorching for the first half of the season, but stuttered during the last half.

[Trancemeister]

Sokratis to Arsenal is done

1013815002720014336

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Oh I get it, it's because he's Greek.

[Adramelch]

He's also born in Kalamata, which might not be Sparta, but it's like 30 kilometers away!1!!!1!

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Should have put him in a bath filled with olives instead.

[Adramelch]

And weed.

[Lewis]

And partner him with a German who does all the work.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

You could also have him looking forlorn at the Elgin marbles.

[phonics]

Cristiano to Juve is a spicy meatball of a rumor I must say.

[John Arne]

From F365's forgotten men...

CHELSEA – Marco van Ginkel

Last actually played for Chelsea: September 24, 2013. He still has two years left on his Chelsea contract. Chelsea are mental.
Last seen: Scoring 16 goals in 33 games for Ajax in his fourth loan spell away from Stamford Bridge. He was also installed as captain. If only Chelsea had a goalscoring midfielder with leadership capabilities on their books.


2 appearances in 5 years at Chelsea, and none in the previous 4 season. The new Matej Delac.

[SincereTheRebel]

Chelsea loaned out a thousand players over the past 5 seasons or so. Players like Baba Rahman are still technically Chelsea players. They are running it like Football Manager over there. I wonder who they have recouped the most from, without every kicking a ball officially for Chelsea once they are sold. There one for the trivia thread.

[Disco]

Massively outweighed by the good players they've let go over the years.

[SincereTheRebel]

That got good? The likes of Salah and De Bruyne

[niko_cee]

De Bruyne was pretty good when they let him go (doubled their money). Lukaku too. Salah was/is a fluke. No one really saw that one coming.

[Disco]

Salah, De Bruyne, Lukaku, Matic to name a few obvious ones. Someone who pays attention could probably name a few more.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Matic was crap when we let him go.

We create this 'problem' for ourselves by buying the players too young when they aren't ready for top, top, top football, and then managers obviously aren't patient with them because at Chelsea five bad results means you are fired.

In a way it's a victory for our scouting team that there are so many hits, even though a lot of them are in other teams' colours.

[Waffdon]

Can’t really complain when they’ve been the most successful team in England for the past ten years. They’d be stupid to reject anything more than £50m for Willian though.

[phonics]

Mahrez to City is done. 60m.

[SincereTheRebel]

That took a long time. Suprised nobody else appeared to come in for him. That surely means someone from the Man City front line is out the door. David Silva seems the most likely given his age. Maybe Aguero.

[mugbull]

I'd be surprised if that were the case, probably the other Silva is out along with a couple of the CMs. Wouldn't be surprised if Mahrez takes Delph's place at wing back tbh.

[SincereTheRebel]

Chelsea have officially rejected a £50m+ bid from Barcelona for Willian.
Joachim Low will continue as Germany's manager.
Newcastle are in talks to sign Alassane Plea.
Ruben 'Xavi Pirlo' Neves has signed a new five-year deal at Wolves, who are also linked with Andre Gomes from Barcelona. Now I'm becoming increasingly concerned with the Portuguese links at the team.

[Danny]

I'd be surprised if that were the case, probably the other Silva is out along with a couple of the CMs. Wouldn't be surprised if Mahrez takes Delph's place at wing back tbh.

I would. You don’t sign Mahrez and play him left wing back.

[phonics]

1014159670418837504

:drool:

My theory is Madrid is moving Ronaldo to Juve so they can take M'Bappe.

[randomlegend]

Sandro apparently close for United.

Him and a right winger (Bale :eyemouth:) and we've had a cream cake of a window, with a Lee Grant shaped cherry on top.

[Lewis]

Wasn't there a reserve they could have made up the numbers with instead of this Lee Grant bloke?

[randomlegend]

Wasn't there a reserve they could have made up the numbers with instead of this Lee Grant bloke?

We have Joel Pereira who is really highly rated, but they want to send him on loan so he can play first team football.

[Lewis]

Yeah, but there must be another (local) 'keeper somewhere on the United books to get in on the warm-ups and never actually play.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Wasn't there a reserve they could have made up the numbers with instead of this Lee Grant bloke?

Burns a homegrown spot. Also, goalkeepers like having other keepers to practise with, from my years of observation 45 minutes before kickoff.

[randomlegend]

The ones we have are all young and want to be playing I guess.

[SincereTheRebel]

What is Stuart Taylor up to these days? Best job in football is being a third choice goalkeeper

[Baz]

He was at Southampton last time I saw his name.

[randomlegend]

Di Marzio is backing the Ronaldo to Juve rumours. Looks like it's got serious legs.

[Kikó]

My inter bro in law says it's well sourced.

[Lewis]

Getting them over the line in Europe for the LEGACY.

[randomlegend]

If it happens then there's no chance of Bale leaving :(

[Jimmy Floyd]

PSG must be about to embark on another fire sale. No way Real Madrid would lose him unless they were buying Mbappé.

[mugbull]

/Neymar

[John Arne]

Neymar to China.

[Shindig]

Hatem Ben Arfa, please. Speaking of ex-mags, Cabaye's went from PSG to the Middle East inside a sentence.

EDIT: Hold up. Forum chatter says Ben Arfa's going to Dortmund.

[Trancemeister]

Ken Sema from Östersund (the guy who scored against Arsenal) just details from joining Watford according to a swedish journalist who is very trustworthy when it comes to transfers.

[SincereTheRebel]

Hatem Ben Arfa, please. Speaking of ex-mags, Cabaye's went from PSG to the Middle East inside a sentence.

EDIT: Hold up. Forum chatter says Ben Arfa's going to Dortmund.

Gabi has aslo gone to the middle easy with Al Sadd

[SincereTheRebel]

Damm. This Ronaldo to Juventus is bigger up speed quick time. Real Madrid is allegedly considering a £88m offer for him according to SSN

[Baz]

Get your cheque book out, Jurg.

[Lewis]

That 'Alexis' transfer looks a lot more shit now.

[Yevrah]

Presumably you could easily muster the odd £90m if you wanted him back and he'd go?

[Lewis]

I'm sure they have the money, but it would leave the squad rather unbalanced. I would still go for it and then ask questions but I'm not Jose Mourinho (I'm Yevrah).

[SincereTheRebel]

Man Utd can sell players. You know that right?

[Baz]

I can’t imagine Ronaldo sitting down watching a 30 minute video of United’s 17/18 season and thinking at the end of it that he wants to go back. He’d probably rather retire if it was his only option. :lol:

Jose is deterrent. He’s dreadful.

[Shindig]

Slash the wages at Sports Direct to make this happen, Mike. They're not even people.

[phonics]

Man Utd can sell players. You know that right?

Who you going to sell a 29 year old Alexis on 400k a week to?

[Adramelch]

Arsenal.

[phonics]

Arsenal.

After that last 6 - 12 months I never want to see him again tbh. Watching him cut inside and float another ball to no-one at the back post, so dull. Felt like we let Chelsea sneak in and give him a quick operation towards the end, absolute garbage.

[Andy]

Sanchez needs to be motivated and playing through the middle. Just doesn't look the same player when he's not the number nine.

Was always better for Arsenal when Giroud was on the bench.

I'm sure he will come good for United at some point but I think they will need to play 352 to fully get the best out of him.

[SincereTheRebel]

Sanchez may have just reached his sell-by-date. He may have expired. Torres did similar in the final games during his time at Liverpool. Utd. Players reach a level and then start to decline unless your name is Zlatan, Ronaldo or Messi.

[randomlegend]

Ronaldo to Juve seems like it's actually happening.

[bruhnaldo]

As much as Juventus poach free transfers and things of that nature why is it so strange to me they'd spend nearly 100m on a 33-year-old, even if that 33-year-old is Cristiano Ronaldo?

[Bob Sacamano]

Serie A is a league where shite hawks like Di Vaio and Toni can dominate in their late 30's, Ronaldo could conceivably go on till his 40's.

[Adramelch]

It's not weird that they are willing to spend that much for a 33-year old Cristiano given that he's still on top form and seems like he has quite a few good years left in him, but the reports that they're planning to sell Higuain and Dybala to get the funds for him is a bit bonkers.

[Lewis]

You would want to keep Dybala, but I would sell Higuain to get the funds for the initial phone call.

[Adramelch]

Yeah, it's not weird that they would want to get rid of Higuain, but both him and Dybala is a bit much. How much money is Higuain going to go for anyway?

[SincereTheRebel]

Yeah, it's not weird that they would want to get rid of Higuain, but both him and Dybala is a bit much. How much money is Higuain going to go for anyway?

In todays money, Higuain is £50m easyt . 15 goals for ten years straight. He too is about to expire but most teams are blind to this fact.

[Spikey M]

A 33 year old is a teenager to Juventus.

[SincereTheRebel]

I gurantee besides an injury. Ronaldo will be at the next World Cup.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

In todays money, Higuain is £50m easyt . 15 goals for ten years straight. He too is about to expire but most teams are blind to this fact.

Can any Italian team afford £50m? I can't see anyone outside of Serie A taking him.

[Danny]

Chelsea looking at him apparently.

[Adramelch]

Ronaldo seems like he has another 3 seasons or so at this current level and he'll still be a valuable player after that. Paying 90m pounds for him currently definitely doesn't seem too much in my eyes.

[SincereTheRebel]

Chelsea looking at him apparently.

If £88m is the reported fee. Every single team should be looking at him. Thats chump change.

Even Wolves with the Portuguese clique they are forming. Get him signed up. Opening up another Nando's outside Molinuex A.S.A.P.

[niko_cee]

Wasn't Ronaldo absolute arse in any game against half decent opposition for large swathes of last season?

[Adramelch]

He still scored in 29 of his 44 games and most of the games he didn't score in were at the start of the season so he ended on a real high, in a generally underwhelming Real team.

[Reg]

Wasn't Ronaldo absolute arse in any game against half decent opposition for large swathes of last season?
Seven goals and two assists in the CL knockout stages ain't too shabby. https://www.whoscored.com/Players/5583/Fixtures/Cristiano-Ronaldo

[Boydy]

Has anyone won the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A before?

[Spikey M]

I’m sure there’s been a question on that in the Trivia thread.

[niko_cee]

Seven goals and two assists in the CL knockout stages ain't too shabby. https://www.whoscored.com/Players/5583/Fixtures/Cristiano-Ronaldo

At the same time he was largely anonymous for the final 4 games of their Champions League campaign, particularly against Bayern.

There must be some sort of (commercial) angle to this Juve thing as it seems quite an un-Juventus-like thing to be doing.

[Boydy]

I’m sure there’s been a question on that in the Trivia thread.

Probably but I can never keep up with it.

[niko_cee]

Mourinho.

[Adramelch]

At the same time he was largely anonymous for the final 4 games of their Champions League campaign, particularly against Bayern.

There must be some sort of (commercial) angle to this Juve thing as it seems quite an un-Juventus-like thing to be doing.

Surely the revenue from his transfer plays a big part.

[Danny]

If £88m is the reported fee. Every single team should be looking at him. Thats chump change.

Even Wolves with the Portuguese clique they are forming. Get him signed up. Opening up another Nando's outside Molinuex A.S.A.P.

I meant Higuain. Ronaldo wouldn’t go to Chelsea.

[niko_cee]

Surely the revenue from his transfer plays a big part.

Yeah, but most of that goes towards paying his astronomical wages, I would imagine. It just seems the more normal thing for Juve to do would be to spend that money weakening their domestic rivals.

[Adramelch]

Yeah, but most of that goes towards paying his astronomical wages, I would imagine. It just seems the more normal thing for Juve to do would be to spend that money weakening their domestic rivals.

The concept is that they want to go for something more than the Serie A though with this transfer, isn't it? From what I understand Allegri agreed to stay at Juventus only if they got such players and went for a European title.

[niko_cee]

I'm not sure buying ageing stars off your perceived rivals is the best route to that destination.

They'd be better off going back to buying refs.

[Adramelch]

In a short-term kind of goal, who's better to buy than Ronaldo (that would actually want to go to Juventus)?

[Spikey M]

They’d be better off buying their way into a decent league. PSG have been wasting their time with this shit for ages now.

[Adramelch]

Ye, I don't think it will work or it's the way to go, that just seems to be their concept. They also have half the team retiring/about to retire as well.

[Raoul Duke]

Real signed some rightback for about £35m

[Reg]

I think Juventus will win the CL if they get Ronaldo.

[Dark Soldier]

I'm fairly sure he'll stay, he's done this shit the past five years with United.

[randomlegend]

There's a lot of reliable journalists saying it's basically done.

[Dark Soldier]

I wouldn't bet on him staying like, I'm not mental. Can just see Perez offering him an improved contract and that's it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's a fairly random place to go, unless Juventus have found most of the Italian economy down the back of the sofa. Maybe he knows the powers are waning and he needs some easier fodder to smash them past over the next few years.

[randomlegend]

It's a fairly random place to go, unless Juventus have found most of the Italian economy down the back of the sofa. Maybe he knows the powers are waning and he needs some easier fodder to smash them past over the next few years.

A lot of people are saying Fiat are 'sponsoring' the deal i.e. paying his wages in some backdoor way which avoids FFP.

[Dark Soldier]

It's a fairly random place to go, unless Juventus have found most of the Italian economy down the back of the sofa. Maybe he knows the powers are waning and he needs some easier fodder to smash them past over the next few years.

Yeah he'll be like a pig in shit smashing four past Chievo, SPAL and the likes

[Kikó]

It's done. He can use Juventus' magic doctors.

[SincereTheRebel]

I suspect Man Utd have some clauses in this Ronaldo deal.

[Kikó]

Doubt it.

[Pepe]

I would've never guessed that move.

[SincereTheRebel]

Doubt it.

Surely there would be x amount of sell on clauses. They have probably made a fortune with the Ballon D'or and champions league wins bonuses.

[John Arne]

Surely there would be x amount of sell on clauses. They have probably made a fortune with the Ballon D'or and champions league wins bonuses.

If I remember correctly, the deal was something like 80m cash, one time, no fannying about.

[SincereTheRebel]

Wolves have agreed some type of £16m deal with Oleksandr Zinchenko who is some type of young wing back from Man City. Man has a total of 20 league games played in his life. Sounds suspect too. I dont like it.

Everton has rejected a bid for Ademola Lookman, from RB Leipzig.

Wilshere is in advanced talks with West Ham

[Shindig]

You could've gotten Mbemba and Merino for that. And Gamez. And Haidara.

[SincereTheRebel]

So he is a left back? Barry Douglas was amazing at left wing back last season and was second, in my opinion, behind neves as the best player.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Wolves have agreed some type of £16m deal with Oleksandr Zinchenko who is some type of young wing back from Man City. Man has a total of 20 league games played in his life. Sounds suspect too. I dont like it.

Everton has rejected a bid for Ademola Lookman, from RB Leipzig.

Wilshere is in advanced talks with West Ham

He looks like a bastard son of De Bruyne.

He didn't start off as a wing back (attacking midfielder IIRC) but Man City plugged him in there due to injuries.

[SincereTheRebel]

He looks like a bastard son of De Bruyne.



Thats ok, if he plays like him?

[SincereTheRebel]

This Uruguayan defensive midfielder that Arsenal is linked with. I don't think he joins them now. He has been in the competition for too long now. He plays good. He could probably aim higher now.

[Boydy]

Yeah, it said during the match there he'd delayed his medical till after the tournament. Probably reckons he can get a better offer.

[Adramelch]

Makes sense really. He's looked pretty good.

[phonics]

Nah the family has already come out and said that it's done but he doesn't want to deal with the distractions, so they're over in the UK sorting out living arrangements etc.

[niko_cee]

For his move to Chelsea.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Some exciting news from Chelsea as fourth choice keeper Eduardo, 36 in September, signs a new contract and is immediately loaned out to Vitesse Arnhem.

We're getting to the point where Conte might actually have to rock up for pre season training.

[phonics]

I've heard it's just image rights/contractual bullshit holding it up.

I can't wait for Sarry to call Jacqui Oatley a daft bint who doesn't know football and a player who goes over to easily an f-word followed by all the press that actually agree with him having to write hand wringing articles about how he's a stain on the game.

[SincereTheRebel]

Not that I'm a scout but I would stay away from that Russian Golovin. He has performed well but I wouldn't trust him to perform in any big man league. Something about it him, I just don't like.

[The Merse]

Not that I'm a scout but I would stay away from that Russian Golovin. He has performed well but I wouldn't trust him to perform in any big man league. Something about it him, I just don't like.

http://ericmruiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/arshavin.jpg

[John]

Arshavin was decent for about six months and excellent for one game.

[phonics]

Anyone who scores 4 against Liverpool is immediately cursed. RIP Julio Baptista.

[Lewis]

Remember when Harold said he was the best player in the league.

[phonics]

I saw him put three past Fat Sams Blackburn live so he's a legend in my books.

[John]

Fitness advantage, mate.

[phonics]

If there was one thing you could ever say Arshavin had, it wasn't fitness.

[mugbull]

Not that I'm a scout but I would stay away from that Russian Golovin. He has performed well but I wouldn't trust him to perform in any big man league. Something about it him, I just don't like.

Dude's just Russian, there's absolutely nothing to like about those people

[P_3]

Fuck off.

[mugbull]

:chief:

[niko_cee]

We're getting to the point where Conte might actually have to rock up for pre season training.

Hasn't that started already?

Liverpool's first game is tomorrow. 3pm, against Chester. Serious brains trust came up with that one.

[Reg]

Those tasty LFCTV profits.

We've signed a Brazilian right back, which is quite exciting because I've never seen a Brazilian play for us. (From what I can find on the internet, no Brazilian has ever played for us in our entire history.) Although he could be a shitkicker who struggles to control a 5-yard pass for all I know.

[niko_cee]

It's probably just Olivier Bernard under a new identity.

(knowing nothing of him, I reckon he'll be good)

[Reg]

It's not the most samba of names, is it. I'd rather it be Bernardinho.

Gotta trust Hughton and the transfer team. It's difficult to think of many blunders during his reign.

[phonics]

I always figured Bruno was Brazillian with the one name thing he's got going on.

[Baz]

Hasn't that started already?

Liverpool's first game is tomorrow. 3pm, against Chester. Serious brains trust came up with that one.That is outstanding. Not even I am that anti-England to watch that instead.

[John Arne]

Paulinho, after a fairly decent first season at Barcelona, has rejoined Guangzhou Evergrande on loan for a season. Something fishy about that.

[phonics]

Paulinho, after a fairly decent first season at Barcelona, has rejoined Guangzhou Evergrande on loan for a season. Something fishy about that.

They've run out of Non-Eu spaces.

[phonics]

Torreria medical and some french kid I've never heard of happening today.

1016216388657205248

[SincereTheRebel]

Torreria did look good once he started games for Uruguay. Surprised he is willing to join Arsenal after the good tournament he has had.

[Giggles]

I'd say they can pay fairly well still.

[randomlegend]

Their stock might have fallen a bit, but it's still Arsenal. Not like they've done a Leeds or something.

[phonics]

Yeha I'm not sure why Sincere keeps referring to Arsenal like they're Sunderland because they finished 6th once in 22 years.

[SincereTheRebel]

They can always still attract players, but the biggest hype is always World Cup players. I could have easily seen him go to a team who has better chances of winning league titles. Its still a step up for him from Sampdoria. He may see it as a stepping-stone to another big club. Arsenal look like they have signed a strong tackling midfielder.

[phonics]

They can always still attract players, but the biggest hype is always World Cup players.

The deal was done before the World Cup had even started...

[SincereTheRebel]

I didn't believe it and after his performances at the World Cup, I didn't think Arsenal would be able to pull it off but it appears they have...

[SincereTheRebel]

Arsenal finds themselves in a unique position. They can make huge gambles in players and tactic as there isn't any way possible they finish below Burnley next season in 7th :cab:

[phonics]

We're getting to the point where Conte might actually have to rock up for pre season training.

He's there today :D

[SincereTheRebel]

Luis Enrique is the new Spanish coach and old news, but Germany has confirmed Joachim Löw will continue in charge.

[SincereTheRebel]

Poor Jack. They didn't even bother to give him a number. I feel his pain. He arguably had one of his best seasons at Arsenal, stayed somewhat injury free and he still coundnt get a new deal at Arsenal or make the England bench.

1016317296648728576

[phonics]

He got a new deal at Arsenal, two of them. He turned them down.

[Spikey M]

If he was a club he’d be West Ham, so perfect move really.

[Disco]

Going to West Ham, he should just retire and be done with it.

[SincereTheRebel]

He didn't do enough for Arsenal to earn:

1) More coins
2) More playing time

Personally, I thought he was good last year.

[Spikey M]

I wonder who has the biggest chip on their shoulder out of him and Noble? I guess we’ll find out soon.

[Weaver]

Sky are reporting that Kenedy of Chelsea is heading to Newcastle tomorrow for a medical, signing a season long loan deal.

Was really good as a LM for us last season, great move to bring him back as soon as we knew he was available.

[Jimmy Floyd]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dhrn8V9WkAA8oa1.jpg

God bless him and god bless his hairpiece.

[Yevrah]

How the hell is he still your manager? Has Roman given up after the passport snub?

[Jimmy Floyd]

We appear to be in a state of total inertia, with the offical twitter just spouting updates from our World Cup players. Today there were some nice pictures of David Luiz, Ross Barkley et al doing some light stretching at the training ground, although the club suppressed all the photos which featured Conte.

I suspect Abramovich has just called a halt to all decision-making, or something, because you'd never leave it this long if you were a vaguely functioning organisation.

[Shindig]

He'll be taking a trip to Salisbury for the sweet release.

[CJay]

It is really odd. Have Chelsea signed anyone?

[Shindig]

They've let us have Kenedy for another season.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It is really odd. Have Chelsea signed anyone?

Nope. All the activity has been with the youth team, absolutely zero on the first team unless you count loaning out Baba Rahman.

[randomlegend]

They can't really whilst there's still all this uncertainty around the manager. All getting a bit fucked really.

[Giggles]

Was Kenedy not there last season? Who's the useless lad they put on up front sometimes then?

EDIT: Sorry, Bashuyahi (sp).

[CJay]

Nope. All the activity has been with the youth team, absolutely zero on the first team unless you count loaning out Baba Rahman.

The one constant in a sea of uncertainty.

[SincereTheRebel]

In typical Football Manager fashion, Angus Gunn who is a goalkeeper is close to joining Southampton for £13m without having kicked a ball for Man City competitively. SPent last season on loan at Norwich.

[SincereTheRebel]

Yarmolenko is linked with West Ham with Zaha now linked to Dortmund.

[SincereTheRebel]

WestHam is going bonkers. They have had a £25m bid rejected for Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles.

[thommo]

WestHam is going bonkers. They have had a £25m bid rejected for Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles.

Also going for Felipe Anderson for about £40m, if the rumours are to be believed.

They already broke their transfer record once this window - it's going to be great to see them sack Pellegrini in December with them floundering in 15th after spending upwards of £120m and going for shitcunts like Wilshere.

[SincereTheRebel]

Wilshere will just bring stability which they already have. For a free, you can't really complain. There attacking transfer records have been awfully bad over the years though. They have signed some real rubbish players

[SvN]

For once, I think West Ham have actually made a good signing in Wilshere. The big question is his fitness, of course, but if he can play ~25 league games per season then they'll have done well.

[phonics]

Jean-Michel Seri, he of links to Barcelona/Chelsea/City/Arsenal last season, has had a bid accepted for him from Fulham but he doesn't want to go there.

[Andy]

WestHam is going bonkers. They have had a £25m bid rejected for Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles.

It's a nice change to be signing young talented players rather than selling them.

We're about to finalise a deal for Vestegaard, Danish 6ft7 centre back.

If we can get Carrillo, Forster and Boufal off the books it could be a really fantastic window.

[phonics]

Forster really did go off a cliff didn't he? Is he a pisshead or something?

[thommo]

Jean-Michel Seri, he of links to Barcelona/Chelsea/City/Arsenal last season, has had a bid accepted for him from Fulham but he doesn't want to go there.

Yeah, bit surprising to see that link, especially as Di Marzio mentioned the fee only being €20m. Mitrovic also being heavily linked (to be expected) and Augustinsson, the Swedish left back, is another one also on our radar.

[SincereTheRebel]

That 6ft7 danish giant sounds like a trainwreck.

[Andy]

Forster really did go off a cliff didn't he? Is he a pisshead or something?

Ever since he broke his knee. Came back and we kept six clean sheets in a row. After that he has been slowly getting worse.

[Limoutsonik]

Any wolves fans here? If so,what's the feedback on Roderick Miranda? Apparently according to english and portuguese media,he in Greece finalizing a move to Olympiakos.

[randomlegend]

Ronaldo to Juve seems pretty much done.

[Spikey M]

Lol at Ronaldo taking a big old shit on Man Utd.

[SincereTheRebel]

Any wolves fans here? If so,what's the feedback on Roderick Miranda? Apparently according to english and portuguese media,he in Greece finalizing a move to Olympiakos.

He was OK. He wasnt as strong as I would hope for a central denfender. He didnt play that much as he was always the next option in the back three, but he didnt really put a foot wrong when required

[SincereTheRebel]

Lol at Ronaldo taking a big old shit on Man Utd.

Did he reject them?

[-james-]

I still can't quite believe Ronaldo to Juventus is happening. Still reckon he's just going to announce a 5 year 500 million a week extension to his Madrid contract in a bit.

Liverpool or someone should go after Dybala.

[Gray Fox]

You'd expect it spells the end for the walking bottlejob rather than Dybala. You'd have to be mental to sell him, but then they are Italian.

[SincereTheRebel]

£105m fee agreed between Juventus and Madrid for Ronaldo.

[SincereTheRebel]

I fully exspect othet teams to try and swoop him. £100m these days in chump change. West Ham could put a package together for those type of fees.

[phonics]

Yeah if they only had to pay him a euro in salary.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Ronaldo in a Juventus shirt :cab:

Mental.

[Gray Fox]

I fully exspect othet teams to try and swoop him. £100m these days in chump change. West Ham could put a package together for those type of fees.

We're not quite there yet. £100m fees as still for the big boys, but the likes of West Ham can now spend £30-40m for a player and not have it be shocking.

[phonics]

For reference, a Dybala transfer would work out to about 45% of the yearly revenue to a club that made a 10 million pound profit.

[Lewis]

The transfer itself is surprising, but the real shocker is it not going on until August. How did it either get done so quickly, or kept secret for so long?

[Pleb]

Lol at Ronaldo taking a big old shit on Man Utd.
#sackmourinho

[Jimmy Floyd]

PSG must be about to implode. Either that or Florentino is tanking them.

[Yevrah]

Bizarre transfer, on almost every level.

[Giggles]

Is that Neymar to Madrid then?

[randomlegend]

https://www.realmadrid.com/noticias/2018/07/comunicado-oficial-cristiano-ronaldo

Officially done. United apparently offered the chance to bid and declined, which to be honest I think is the right decision.

[randomlegend]

Is that Neymar to Madrid then?

I don't see how Neymar possibly gets to Madrid. PSG's owner has the kind of "fuck you" money to allow him to tell Neymar to rot in the reserves until the end of his contract. No release clauses in France so it's not like Madrid can just counter-lol PSG by doing what they did to Barcelona.

[Lewis]

If they are having accounting issues it would solve them in one go, and they would probably rather keep Mbappe if it came down to it.

[randomlegend]

But they'll look like mugs if they sell him after 1 year. They'll just ship out some dross.

[Lewis]

If they had to find a hundred million quid (or whatever) there isn't enough unless they cut the squad down to about seventeen players.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The ultimate bottler Cavani would probably have some fools taking a chance on him.

[niko_cee]

£100m for 33 year old Ronaldo is mental. Oh, he'll go on forever. Oh, the pace in Italy means even a pensioner can get by. We'll see. I have my doubts.

[Yevrah]

It'd be mental in FM, as we'd all just wait three years and buy his regen for £12.50, but if he stays there for three years and helps them to a Champions League then you can see why they've done it.

The bit I struggle with is why he'd want to go there.

[phonics]

The transfer itself is surprising, but the real shocker is it not going on until August. How did it either get done so quickly, or kept secret for so long?

Because it was apparently on since January when Real Madrid were asked about it and they only asked for 100m euros. Which caused Ronaldo to react like Ashley Cole only being offered 55k a week.

[Lewis]

LEGACY. Plus he's probably sulking with the Spanish revenue.

[phonics]

Ps remember when we lost the best left back in the world over the difference between 50 and 55k a week. 3rd choice GKs are being offered that now.

[Lewis]

Because it was apparently on since January when Real Madrid were asked about it and they only asked for 100m euros. Which caused Ronaldo to react like Ashley Cole only being offered 55k a week.

That doesn't answer either question. Quite the opposite in fact.

[phonics]

It'd be mental in FM, as we'd all just wait three years and buy his regen for £12.50, but if he stays there for three years and helps them to a Champions League then you can see why they've done it.

The bit I struggle with is why he'd want to go there.

Di Natale scored 30 a season at 36, he'll be hitting numbers while working in a less stressful league and still with a huge club. Neymar would get 10x the respect if he'd gone to Juve instead of PSG even if they are equally easy.