Summer 2021 Plane Tracking Thread

[Giggles]

Bam should have just found another way to slag off Utd rather than outing himself as not knowing what sideways means.


.

[Shindig]

"United were within a kick of a European trophy. So was Declan Rice. SIDEWAYS STEP!"

[Don]

Ole extension? :D Here we go [to a bumper severage package by Xmas]

[Gray Fox]

Can we get a trophy contributions update?

[Kikó]

It's to stop Real, PSG and Barca from taking him from us on a free.

[Spikey M]

Why would he take a sideways step?

[Gray Fox]

Sounds like Harry Wilson to Fulham for £10m is all but done. He was left out of todays friendly to avoid an injury stopping the move.

Flying back to finalise the move today. £12m being reported as the fee.

[Lewis]

Four more years of it. Fernandes and Rashford will be dead. Fuck.

[Ian]

Sigh.

[niko_cee]

Wasn't Woodward meant to have jacked it in by now? Is this his final fuck you?

[Gray Fox]

He's doing his notice period effectively. They've got someone else doing the important stuff, hence how they actually got a transfer done quite easily this time.

[Don]

https://i.ibb.co/41HJHSp/Screenshot-20210724-162700-Chrome.jpg

Absolutely fell apart once the quality of Pellistri was taken off at HT.

[Kikó]

It's just a friendly you nonce.

Andreas still being here is depressing. Ole out.

[Lewis]

Pre-season Pirlo would normally be doing enough to delay his execution another year.

[SincereTheRebel]

Andreas still being here is depressing. Ole out.

Marco van Ginkel is still also, a Chelsea player.

[randomlegend]

https://i.ibb.co/41HJHSp/Screenshot-20210724-162700-Chrome.jpg

Absolutely fell apart once the quality of Pellistri was taken off at HT.

One player from the starting 11 in that line-up.

Elanga looked good again.

[Shindig]

I see four regulars. Ish.

[Lewis]

James/Greenwood/Pellistri will be first choice in a year or two but clearly not now.

[randomlegend]

Wan-Bissaka is the only player there who will be a nailed on starter. Greenwood will obviously get a lot of minutes.

[Raoul Duke]

Plus that depends on whether we can get Trippier or not

[Spikey M]

1419049314819661826?s=19

[Gray Fox]

Odds on this Rui Pinto fella disappearing then?

[Lewis]

'He is not, he's not really here...'

[Don]

I'll mourn the departure of Alioski from the EPL, world class troll and top 5 in xScenes.

[Don]

Palace close to Andersen. Vieira may well don it on reputation alone.

[Lofty]

Not a transfer rumour but hey ho, some girls from my home town were out last night and one of them kopped off with a certain Wayne Rooney, who then went back to their hotel room and fell asleep while they took a load of snapchats. Colleen will be pleased.

https://i.ibb.co/6Jn55LH/IMG-20210725-WA0006.jpg (https://ibb.co/vvw88R3)
https://i.ibb.co/GsS9Cbx/IMG-20210725-WA0005.jpg (https://ibb.co/tZrzYWm)
https://i.ibb.co/k6ccrSc/IMG-20210725-WA0004.jpg (https://ibb.co/M5NNjCN)
https://i.ibb.co/BfL1f9C/IMG-20210725-WA0003.jpg (https://ibb.co/8mMhmH7)
https://i.ibb.co/1MqZb76/IMG-20210725-WA0002.jpg (https://ibb.co/bFB17QJ)

[Baz]

He’s done well to un-age about four years and lose about six stone since last week.

[randomlegend]

There's no way he's asleep in those chair photos :D


He’s done well to un-age about four years and lose about six stone since last week.

Dunno, he looks basically the same as he does here:

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12363264/wayne-rooney-derby-county-boss-says-he-will-not-quit-but-demands-signings-before-new-season

Hair and beard look exactly the same.

[Shindig]

There's a third woman in those photos.

[Offshore Toon]

I don't think I'll ever understand the whole being attracted to money/fame thing.

[randomlegend]

No different to being attracted to anything else.

[Spikey M]

I love a big set of tits.
Look at the arse on her.
Phwoooaaar, she was on Corrie.

[Luke Emia]

Supposedly he’s said he’s been set up? The first picture doesn’t look like he’s kissing her, just talking to her and the other picture with the girl where he’s still awake he looks fucked.

[Yevrah]

I've genuinely no idea what to make of those photos.

[Spikey M]

He could easily just be going to whisper in her ear in the first picture to be fair.

Aren't they pretty famously not his type too?

[Raoul Duke]

Maybe he was asking her for her gran's number?

[Lofty]

The rozzers are investigating a potential fart on Wazza: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/police-called-over-photos-wayne-24613596

[randomlegend]

All the tier 1s on Varane to Utd being close, probably done this week. Fee of €50m by the sounds of things, which is ridiculous value.

If it goes through we'll have got Sancho and Varane for less than Arsenal paid for Pepe and Ben White :lol:

[-james-]

I think Ben White will prove to be a great signing. Varane is twenty eight and fresh off his worst season.

[Manc]

A year left on his deal and United are reportedly doubling his wages. Screams value.

[randomlegend]

:happycry:

[Baz]

FPL price predictions? 5.5 hopefully but likely 6.0

[SvN]

Yeah probably 6.0. Not sure he's really a viable FPL asset.

[Yevrah]

The rozzers are investigating a potential fart on Wazza: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/police-called-over-photos-wayne-24613596

What a time to be alive.

[Gray Fox]

Looks like Shaqiri is the next to be off. He's asked to leave and it's been agreed so he's free to find a suitor. I suspect that's another £10-15m coming back in.

[randomlegend]

1419640476551032839

[Kikó]

Good sideways move that.

[randomlegend]

Romano also saying we'd rather keep Pogba this summer even if he doesn't sign a new contract and leaves on a free next year.

Not sure that's a very good idea. Maybe they are hoping we improve enough this year to convince him to sign.

[Baz]

Didn't Romano also say Liverpool were in for Tielemans?

[Lofty]

All the tier 1s on Varane to Utd being close, probably done this week. Fee of €50m by the sounds of things, which is ridiculous value.

If it goes through we'll have got Sancho and Varane for less than Arsenal paid for Pepe and Ben White :lol:

Apples and oranges though, Arsenal couldn't afford Pepe without structuring an installment deal overseen by dodgy Raul Sanhelli, as soon as the owners financial auditor looked at the deal he left the club. Arsenal can't buy Varane for £50m because he wouldn't go to a non CL club. Ben White is a highly rated English player that Brighton aren't interested in selling unless they get the fee they want.

[Spikey M]

Hasn't Varane spent the last year playing like prime Titus Bramble?

[randomlegend]

No. He had a couple of shit games in the Champions League which is the only thing the Waff's have seen and are basing their opinions on.

The Real fans are universally gutted he's leaving.

[Waffdon]

Lol wot. It’s well established you form your opinions based on what people on Reddit and Twitter say (I don’t have Twitter!!!!! Blah blah blah).

We shall see. He was shite last season. The Man City game you keep referring to wasn’t even last season. If you wanted to base his form off of just a few games, you could just judge him at the Euros where he looked a mess.

He’ll probably still be an upgrade on Lindelof but I highly doubt he wins you anything. Maybe a League Cup.

[randomlegend]

Lol wot. It’s well established you form your opinions based on what people on Reddit and Twitter say (I don’t have Twitter!!!!! Blah blah blah).

We shall see. He was shite last season. The Man City game you keep referring to wasn’t even last season. If you wanted to base his form off of just a few games, you could just judge him at the Euros where he looked a mess.

He’ll probably still be an upgrade on Lindelof but I highly doubt he wins you anything. Maybe a League Cup.

As opposed to you who watched how many games of Real Madrid last season...

Yes I put more stock in the opinion of Real Madrid fans than some gimp Chelsea fan who spends half his life anebriated.

I don't have Twitter.

[niko_cee]

Somebody knock a graph up.

[Waffdon]

As opposed to you who watched how many games of Real Madrid last season...

Yes I put more stock in the opinion of Real Madrid fans than some gimp Chelsea fan who spends half his life anebriated.

I don't have Twitter.

I probably drink as much as Lewis does these days.

You seen unhinged a lot these days. Everything okay at home? Feel free to PM.

[Kikó]

Speaking as someone who barely watches football, I can't imagine Varane has completely lost his ability at 28 and isn't better than lindelof. The guy has won more champions Leagues than our entire club so I reckon he's a gamble worth taking.

[Spikey M]

Speaking as someone who barely watches football, I can't imagine Varane has completely lost his ability at 28 and isn't better than lindelof. The guy has won more champions Leagues than our entire club so I reckon he's a gamble worth taking.

Speaking as someone that has barely watched club football since Covid rocked up; he definitely has. He's shit now. Fact.

[randomlegend]

I probably drink as much as Lewis does these days.

You seen unhinged a lot these days. Everything okay at home? Feel free to PM.

Lowqualitybait.jpg

[Kikó]

Speaking as someone that has barely watched club football since Covid rocked up; he definitely has. He's shit now. Fact.

I'm going with Reddit mate.

[Spikey M]

I'm going with Reddit mate.

Laughable opinion. I searched twitter and found this:

1419651310647906306?s=19

Suppose Reddit knows better than Harry though?

[Danny]

Harry seems like an unbiased source. Probably just sad that he will cost the same as Ake.

[Spikey M]

He's literally a poet.

1414498938099486726?s=19

[Manc]

Piss off with that shit. We're going to the wall as is.

[Spikey M]

Piss off with that shit. We're going to the wall as is.

1413789826390896640?s=19

[niko_cee]

He's on the money there.

Rhyming Saka with wanker is probably a hate crime though.

[Giggles]

Considering Brazil and Argentina will probably be in the Euros within the next couple of decades then I think you’re safe enough. Plus, being in Europe and all that is a big help too.

[Disco]

Harry_F02 for mod says I.

[randomlegend]

The Varane price is £34m + add-ons :happycry:

[Lewis]

He must be really busted.

[Kikó]

Real are pretty skint.

[randomlegend]

He wouldn't sign a new contract and also didn't want to go anywhere but United so Real had zero leverage.

[niko_cee]

Is he a boyhood fan?

Probably a good signing fwiw, although it will also be pretty lol if United turn out to be still fairly wank having spaffed so much cash this summer.

[randomlegend]

Apparently he is. Was a massive fan of Rio Ferdinand. Lol.

[Raoul Duke]

Hope he turns up to his unveiling in a white suit with dreadlocks

[Lofty]

It's gonna be one long Varane wankfest til the start of the season, be good fun if he gets skinned by Bamford on his debut in a barn burning 3-3 draw.

[Don]

Can't see Leeds standing a chance, what with Man Utd securing the services of the 3rd best young talent after Mbappe and Haaland.

[Manc]

Who's winning the window?

[Baz]

Dortmund.

[Don]

Seriously though, Barca and Real's rot is looking brutal this season. I thought last season was bad but the empire is well and truly crumbling.

[niko_cee]

Barca will be done for a generation if they somehow lose the likes of Pedri because Phil Couts, Dembele and Greaseman won't take a wage cut [with the stated aim of continuing to funnel money towards 34 year old Leo Messi].

[Spikey M]

They're already fucked. There's no chance any of them take a pay cut, why would they? Probably the best they can hope for is the Man City Adebayor / Real Madrid Bale solution; Chuck them at Spurs (or similar) and pay half their wages.

[Raoul Duke]

China clamping down on buying shit for crazy money has screwed a lot of teams "business models"

[randomlegend]

Chelsea in talks for Kounde.

[Don]

178cm and that lost child face you associate with absolute defensive clowns. Genetic scout strikes again :happycry:

[Lofty]

United official Twitter claiming an agreement in principle for Varane, tempting fate? :D

[Raoul Duke]

Nope: https://twitter.com/realmadriden/status/1420090382709297159?s=20

[Luca]

He's even a club knower. Scenes. :offshore:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57981122

lol.

Varane might have made us title contenders if we didn't have a binman in charge.

[Don]

https://mobile.twitter.com/harrydecosemo

RL didn't say he's got a BBC gig.

[randomlegend]

Yeah I write for them in my spare time.

Doing a little sitcom at the moment. Easy money.

[Lewis]

Pre-season Pirlo would normally be doing enough to delay his execution another year.

He's just slammed a Paul Scholes vs Aston Villa in so expect at least twenty appearances this season.

[Kikó]

https://www.reddit.com/r/reddevils/comments/othvw3/manchester_united_21_brentford_andreas_pirlo_50/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb

What a player.

[randomlegend]

That's one of the best volley's I've ever seen, jesus christ.

[Lewis]

The best pre-season BANGER since van Nistelrooy against Juventus, a.k.a. the best pre-season goal ever scored.

[Waffdon]

https://www.reddit.com/r/reddevils/comments/othvw3/manchester_united_21_brentford_andreas_pirlo_50/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb

What a player.

Nearly as good as Yeboah’s :drool:

[Boydy]

Not sure where else to put this so in here will do:

1420445139462406148

:D

[Raoul Duke]

Mes que un credit rating

[Shindig]

Mas que-onsolidate all your debts into one monthly payment.

[Spikey M]

:D they are so fucked.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm getting interested in Real Sociedad's title odds (50/1). Villarreal might have been of interest but think our mate Emery is a bit of a cup manager.

[randomlegend]

The Grealish transfer is a weird one. The Villa side still seem convinced he'll sign a new contract whilst City are briefing their Tier 1s that they're going to sign him this week.

[randomlegend]

1420691690709471233

Seems a decent signing. PSG have about 900 keepers still.

[Ian]

He sounds like a bit of a tit.

[Manc]

Was it FM12 he became unstoppable?

[randomlegend]

He sounds like a bit of a tit.

ayyy

[Giggles]

He sounds like a bit of a tit.

Nip that sort of behaviour in the bud.

[SvN]

He won't amount to anything - give it 12 months, he'll be a distant mammary.

[Kikó]

He could help them win a few cups.

[Baz]

Fabianski's still their breast goalkeeper.

[Spikey M]

He'll win A Cup.

[Kikó]

That's just the same joke as mine ffs. I can't give you much support if you're going to steal jokes.

[Spikey M]

I missed your post :(

I feel like a right tit now. (Yeah, I did see yours Ian, what the fuck are you going to do about it? Prick).

[Ian]

You've already made yourself look quite the boob so I don't need to do anything.

[Spikey M]

This will soon be a distant mammary.

[Gray Fox]

Okay, now you're milking it.

[Lofty]

I'm getting interested in Real Sociedad's title odds (50/1). Villarreal might have been of interest but think our mate Emery is a bit of a cup manager.

Correct, Emery is far too negative to win the league.

[Gray Fox]

City with an offer of £100m for Grealish.

[randomlegend]

Indeed. Villa fans still remarkably confident he'll stay.

[Lewis]

I still don't understand it from a City perspective. Proper End of an Era signing, like when Barcelona started pissing about and blowing it.

[randomlegend]

Yeah I'm not convinced he's going to make them much better. A top quality striker would be a whole different matter.

[Lewis]

United should be in for whoever is making way.

[randomlegend]

Bernado Silva but he doesn't want to stay in England (hates the weather lol)

[Baz]

The Kane debacle needs to be sorted so I can finalise my FPL side and my top goal scorer acca.

[Bernanke]

I'm getting interested in Real Sociedad's title odds (50/1). Villarreal might have been of interest but think our mate Emery is a bit of a cup manager.

Found 67/1 at Unibet and if that isn't worth a cheeky 20 euros I don't know what is.

Isak to don them all silly. :cool:

[Baz]

Ben White to Arsenal done. He’s their number 4.

What’s their likely lineup at the back then?

[Lofty]

Arsenal have finally completed the signing of Ben White for £50m.

Edit: Baz stealing my thunder.

The defence currently looks to be Leno in goal (wants to leave lol) Tierney left back (Tavares understudy), Gabriel and White first choice CBs (Saliba on loan again, Holding and Mari second choice) and probably Chambers right back unless a signing is made (Bellerin, AMN and Cedric linked with moves).

[Spikey M]

Ben White to Arsenal done. He’s their number 4.

What’s their likely lineup at the back then?

Defenders and a goalkeeper.

[Shindig]

I'd just like us to bring someone in. Arsenal don't appear to be doing much with Willock but Ashley's acting like a cunt with his eyes firmly on the takeover/arbitration bollocks which has been pushed into next year.

Just kill us. We'll merge with Gateshead and fuck the Northern League up.

[phonics]

Arsenal have finally completed the signing of Ben White for £50m.

Edit: Baz stealing my thunder.

The defence currently looks to be Leno in goal (wants to leave lol) Tierney left back (Tavares understudy), Gabriel and White first choice CBs (Saliba on loan again, Holding and Mari second choice) and probably Chambers right back unless a signing is made (Bellerin, AMN and Cedric linked with moves).

If Xhaka doesn't go I can see a 5 at the back of Holding, Gabriel, White, Tiernery, Cedric, Xhaka, Lokonga, Partey, Smith-Rowe, Aubameyang, Pepe.

Not just because he needs to juggle the pieces but the opening 3 games involve Chelsea at home and City away and he's always, always, always, gone with a 3 vs the big teams.


I'd just like us to bring someone in. Arsenal don't appear to be doing much with Willock but Ashley's acting like a cunt with his eyes firmly on the takeover/arbitration bollocks which has been pushed into next year.

Just kill us. We'll merge with Gateshead and fuck the Northern League up.


It's kind of annoying because he's a great player and a nice kid but not quite good enough that you HAVE to keep him, and he seemed to like it up there so I wish him well, and we need the cash.

Newcastle just seem completely unwilling to do anything. They keep saying 'Its up to Arsenal' as if it doesn't depend on actually getting an offer to decide upon.

I think he could do really well up there.

[randomlegend]

Yeah but Varane though.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ-GSCmA3W4

[Shindig]

It's kind of annoying because he's a great player and a nice kid but not quite good enough that you HAVE to keep him, and he seemed to like it up there so I wish him well, and we need the cash.

Newcastle just seem completely unwilling to do anything. They keep saying 'Its up to Arsenal' as if it doesn't depend on actually getting an offer to decide upon.

I think he could do really well up there.

I'm guessing the hold up is Mike Ashley wanting another loan deal. I dunno what his contract is like but making it permanent a year down the road probably has him thinking about the pennies. Plus I still think the takeover bollocks has really shut his purse up tight. This year's going to be rough.

[Lewis]

Trying to fit more likely achievements into the chant, like 'Beating City twice' or 'Draw with Liverpool'.

[Lofty]

Roma don't have the money to sign Xhaka so Arsenal are... extending his contract.

[Baz]

1421096676119302148

[Shindig]

Needs a smaller crowd.

[Gray Fox]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E7n0IiAX0AA9pLj?format=jpg&name=900x900

He'll stay guys, don't worry.

[randomlegend]

You can hardly argue he's only moving for money if he does go. He wants to win stuff.

[Gray Fox]

I suspect it'll be a harder choice for him than you may think.

He's club captain of the team he grew up loving and hasn't been anywhere else. Said team are making actual decent efforts to improve and invest in the squad around him too. I'm frequently told by the Villa fans around here that he wont have his head turned and will still want to stay.

That being said, City are currently hoovering up the cups that no one cares about and seem to win the league every other year. It depends what's more important to him I guess.

[Giggles]

You’d love to see someone like that hanging around at a club.

[Kikó]

I love the one player club man like Giggs, Maldini, Lampard etc. Don't see that sort of romanticism anymore.

[Manc]

Lampard?

[Ian]

I forgot de Rossi had ruined it by going to Boca. Twat.

[Gray Fox]

Totti though. :wub:

[randomlegend]

I suspect it'll be a harder choice for him than you may think.

He's club captain of the team he grew up loving and hasn't been anywhere else. Said team are making actual decent efforts to improve and invest in the squad around him too. I'm frequently told by the Villa fans around here that he wont have his head turned and will still want to stay.

That being said, City are currently hoovering up the cups that no one cares about and seem to win the league every other year. It depends what's more important to him I guess.

I have no idea if he'll move, I've heard the same from Villa fans. Just saying if he does, throwing the "moving for the money" thing at him is lazy and unfair.

[Manc]

I hope he stays. Him and Buendia will be some combo.

[Shindig]

I think he should. He's valued more at Villa than he would be at City. It has the (small) chance to backfire but I guess it depends how much he wants medals, trophies and Pep Guardiola in his life.

[niko_cee]

Leon Bailey agreed to THE VILLA (Tier BBC), wasn't he the next big thing a few years ago?

I guess all the normal speedy Bundesliga winger caveats apply.

[Spikey M]

Grealish holds all the cards in any contract negotiation, so if it's not about the money (and he's not a retard like Kane) he could have success based clauses included easily.

[Lewis]

He only signed a five year deal last year, so he's pretty much in the same situation as Kane.

[Spikey M]

Then lol

[niko_cee]

He's probably got more 'stuck with the club in tough times' goodwill though, but yeah, Villa are in the fuck you pay me driver's seat. Hopefully they drive better than their Jack.

[phonics]

He’ll be on significantly less than 200k a week though.

[randomlegend]

Given all Villa's spending I reckon the Grealish sale has been agreed a few weeks ago and City have agreed to get their signings sorted before it's announced to prevent them getting fleeced by everyone knowing they've got £100m in the bank

I know they have rich owners and spend anyway, but they feel very much like "trying to replace Grealish" signings.

[Shindig]

They already have Ashley Young.

[randomlegend]

Forgot he'd gone back. What a weird transfer. I bet he's absolutely useless and barely plays.

[randomlegend]

Alright here's my hot take for the day; even if Lukaku does look much leaner and better on the ball, if he got a move to a big club in a proper league he'd look mediocre again.

[Luca]

Alright here's my hot take for the day; even if Lukaku does look much leaner and better on the ball, if he got a move to a big club in a proper league he'd look mediocre again.

He very rarely turns up in the big matches. PSG turnaround was the only one I can remember where he stood up to be counted.

Just in recent memory, he did fuck all against Juve in Serie A and fuck all against Italy in the Euros.

[Waffdon]

He scored against Italy

[Luca]

Yeah, a shit pen. What did he do to influence the match for the other 89+ minutes?

[Lewis]

He scored a penalty, and then missed an open goal from two yards because he hasn't got a right foot.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He's a wonderful flat track bully. Nothing really wrong with that as a striker, it just means his managers should know not to rely on him vs the few proper defences that exist.

[Baz]

Leon Bailey agreed to THE VILLA (Tier BBC), wasn't he the next big thing a few years ago?

I guess all the normal speedy Bundesliga winger caveats apply.
Isn't he basically the same player as Buendia?

[randomlegend]

Not at all are they? I have Bailey down as a pacey winger with no end product; Buendia essentially the opposite.

[Spikey M]

I wanted Bailey in every career I started on whichever FM he was amazing on (Fm19?). Never got close to signing him though. Leverkusen always wanted £200 million or something mental.

Now he's at fucking Villa? Cunt. Hope he flops.

[Luca]

I think he's already flopped, given that he's at Villa.

[Spikey M]

I think he's already flopped, given that he's at Villa.

It's not enough. I want him at Scunthorpe.

[SincereTheRebel]

The real heroes are one club men who stay at clubs who had little chance of winning.

Tony Hibbert :cool:

[Andy]

No one seems interested in Ings, hardly surprising off the back of a fairly average season with a few injuries thrown in.

He will need another 20+ goal season to interest the top 6. Can't see him managing it personally as we are probably going to struggle again.

Can see him coming back to the board with his tail between his legs and signing a new deal at some point.

[Raoul Duke]

As much as Grealish is the main guy at Villa, him going and Buendia + Bailey and possibly Ward-Prowse + Cantwell (who they've been linked with) seems like a decent trade? Not to mention Ashley Young :cool:

[Manc]

Grealish to City is very much happening.

[Mellberg]

Chuffed with Bailey, concerned about Grealish.

Word is he's obviously had his head turned to the extent that him and his family, mainly his dad whose word he puts a lot of stock in, are torn over the move. Wants to see what Villa have to say (back in training today) and I think Wes Edens is flying over to talk to him, although that's not from the same reliable sources as the first bit. Hence no quick decision from Villa on the bid.

Hoping it's his Gerrard to Chelsea moment and if we reject a 100m bid for him I will go full erection, but gut says it's more likely to happen than not. 100m is beyond fuck you, pay me. Uncharted territory.

[Clunge]

I honestly think it's a pretty binary thing now. We'll pay ANYTHING to keep him, so it's a straight choice for Grealish – does he want to chase glory with City and potentially risk not being the lynchpin, or commit to the Villa project and live the dream of being a club legend. Our owners don't need the money, they've got plans for both eventualities.

[Shindig]

I'd argue going to City doesn't rule out both.

[Gray Fox]

What Klopp said to Coutinho always sticks in my mind.

You can go to these clubs and win things, but you're just another player to them. I assume he's replacing Sterling to further prove the point. Stay at Villa and they'll build a statue of you.

Gerrard made this decision and then "only" added an FA and League Cup medal to his cabinet from then on, but to him that meant more than winning at Chelsea would have.

[Shindig]

True. Carving that kind of status takes a lot more work and, at the end of the day, you're not Phil Foden.

[Lofty]

Xhaka confirmed to stay at Arsenal, ffs.

[Lewis]

Aren't there any Birmingham criminal types who can persuade Grealish to stay?

[Shindig]

Mellin's trying his best, man.

[Mellberg]

I honestly think it's a pretty binary thing now. We'll pay ANYTHING to keep him, so it's a straight choice for Grealish – does he want to chase glory with City and potentially risk not being the lynchpin, or commit to the Villa project and live the dream of being a club legend. Our owners don't need the money, they've got plans for both eventualities.

Yeah, I agree with all of that. Have complete faith in the owners and am sure they are prepared either way. Strange that people are using us spending 60m as justification for him going, when we've spent 100m+ the last two summers though. Could just as easily be an effort to keep him, or more likely judging by how well we're run at the minute, what we planned to do (and needed) either way. Defensive midfielder and keep Grealish and we're a serious proposition. If he decides to go then it likely sets us back, but it is what it is and not an insurmountable loss.

[randomlegend]

Yeah, I agree with all of that. Have complete faith in the owners and am sure they are prepared either way. Strange that people are using us spending 60m as justification for him going, when we've spent 100m+ the last two summers though. Could just as easily be an effort to keep him, or more likely judging by how well we're run at the minute, what we planned to do (and needed) either way. Defensive midfielder and keep Grealish and we're a serious proposition. If he decides to go then it likely sets us back, but it is what it is and not an insurmountable loss.

It's more the players you're signing than the amount of money. It very much looks like a "trying to replace Grealish" group of players.

[Clunge]

Hardly. We knew this summer, irrespective of what happened with Grealish, that we needed more creativity in the final third / in our front three behind Watkins. That was always going to be the biggest priority for us this window. Neither Buendia or Bailey, even combined, replace what Grealish brings to the team. But they will off us a huge amount of options if he stays, and will seriously bolster our forward line without him. I'm sure if Grealish does go, we will add more in this area – another proven goalscorer will be a must, arguably is already even if Grealish stays. Owners have been consistent since the serious rumours started earlier in the summer about Grealish leaving is that they have planned for both eventualities, and I believe them. I think we have two of the shrewdest owners in the Premier League at the moment.

[randomlegend]

You're reportedly after Cantwell as well though aren't you? You really think you sign 3 attacking midfielders/wingers even if Grealish stays? Seems a bit excessive.

That's a genuine question, my knowledge of the state of the Villa squad is obviously minimal.

[Mellberg]

They're replacements for Barkley and Trezeguet. Buendia plays the wrong side and we needed a quick and direct option. If we sign Cantwell I'll take your point.

Not much of substance there so far though, aside from having floppy hair.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Sounds like Carrie Hain is going on strike.

Who is it that supposedly wants him? All seems a bit tragic.

[Mellberg]

Reassign those funds Citeh, you cunts.

[Giggles]

Has he turned them down or have the club? Or have you just read something in a newspaper?

[Manc]

I for one will be shocked if Daniel Levy doesn't honour a gentleman's agreement.

[randomlegend]

Has he turned them down or have the club? Or have you just read something in a newspaper?

1422134310656778251

Not shown up for training.

Edit: can't work out what I'm doing wrong with that tweet, they normall work fine

[Giggles]

Tweet doesn’t show but I’ll assume from the Levy reference it means Kane and not Grealish.

[niko_cee]

BBC have it now.
(https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58053653)
Kane makes more sense as a signing for City really.

[Ian]

I really just thought he'd end up turning up, still score 20+ a season even if he was hacked off while doing it.

[niko_cee]

Can we definitively rule out the fact he might have just got lost? I mean . . .

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's an odd situation. Why would he scorch-earth his reputation with the Spurs fans? Are City putting in loads of bids and being turned down?

[-james-]

Kane makes sense for player and selling club, not sure a man with fewer than two ankles is worth 150m to City but at least they do actually need a striker.

Grealish makes sense for player only.

[randomlegend]

Is it odd? He values winning stuff over his reputation with a group of fans, can't say I find that surprising. He's kicking up a fuss because he wants that opportunity and I'd imagine Levy is making unreasonable demands on price.

He's stupid for signing the contract and believing anything Levy says about "gentlemen's agreements", but not much he can do about that now.

150m for a 28 year old injury prone striker is absolutely insane though, if that's what it ends up being. But I guess you can make those kind of throws when you're funded by a state

[Jimmy Floyd]

Is the opportunity even there, though? Normally it only comes to this when a buying club is knocking the door down.

[-james-]

Levy never does discounts and certainly not to City. If he goes it'll be for a bonkers sum.

[randomlegend]

Is the opportunity even there, though? Normally it only comes to this when a buying club is knocking the door down.

Oh I have zero doubt City are banging on Levy's door behind the scenes. They get their moves done with much less press noise than United do.

[Giggles]

Is £150m really a lot these days though? Didn’t someone just pay Brighton a third of that for a defender?

[randomlegend]

Kane makes sense for player and selling club, not sure a man with fewer than two ankles is worth 150m to City but at least they do actually need a striker.



When it's City or PSG arguments about value are basically irrelevant though aren't they. Their owners are a whole other tier of rich, to the point where even 150m is toy money

[randomlegend]

Is £150m really a lot these days though? Didn’t someone just pay Brighton a third of that for a defender?

It'd make him the third most expensive player of all time behind Neymar and Mbappe.

[Giggles]

Yeah but probably the 5th most expect by next year and the 8th in a couple of years. Prices are only going up.

[Spikey M]

It'd make him the third most expensive player of all time behind Neymar and Mbappe.

Club captain, England captain, simply being English. It all adds up to a mental valuation.

[-james-]

Yeah but probably the 5th most expect by next year and the 8th in a couple of years. Prices are only going up.

I don't think this is true. Mbappe and Neymar were a few years ago now and quite unique cases. I reckon the Neymar record will stand for a long time.

[randomlegend]

Yeah but probably the 5th most expect by next year and the 8th in a couple of years. Prices are only going up.

Yeah I doubt it. Neymar was 2017 and the last fees in the top 10 are from 2019.

[Kikó]

Money fell out of football's arse last year with no fans and rollover on TV rights. The situation has definitely changed.

[Giggles]

Yet Arsenal pay fifty million pounds for a Brighton defender.

[Lofty]

Yet Arsenal pay fifty million pounds for a Brighton defender.

Billionaire owned Arsenal pay £50m for a highly rated 23 year old English defender. Brighton turned down £40m from Leeds last season I think?

[randomlegend]

Tottenham are fining Kane. Not sure what that's going to achieve.

[Giggles]

Letting his representatives know they may think again.

[Lewis]

That must be the first time 'billionaire owned Arsenal' has been used to justify them spending the big bucks.

[Lofty]

That must be the first time 'billionaire owned Arsenal' has been used to justify them spending the big bucks.

They spent £72m on Pepe but only because they were having their pants down by the crafty Spaniard who brokered the deal.

I like to think of it as the evolution of those two guys pretending to be Herrera's agents.

[Gray Fox]

Kane has chosen to do this at about the worst possible club.

He's got 3 years left of that 6 year deal he signed of his own free will. I get why he wants the move. He's 28 now and is starting to pick up more injuries as the time goes, so this is really his last chance of a mega move. Unfortunately for him, Levy will happily chain him up in the basement until something ludicrous gets put to him.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If he thought when he was 24 that Tottenham was a club going places, he really should have been reading the likes of me and Giggles on TTH all this time.

[Shindig]

Kane has chosen to do this at about the worst possible club.

He's got 3 years left of that 6 year deal he signed of his own free will. I get why he wants the move. He's 28 now and is starting to pick up more injuries as the time goes, so this is really his last chance of a mega move. Unfortunately for him, Levy will happily chain him up in the basement until something ludicrous gets put to him.

He always plays as well. At a club like Spurs, he hasn't really got cover. City can have someone capable deputise.

[Lewis]

I predicted a few years ago that silly transfer fees would incentivise basketball/rugby contracts where players just sign for three years with extra years in their favour, but obviously the agents brains trust haven't twigged. What sort of idiot signs a basic six year deal at anywhere other than a Big Club or somewhere paying you overs on your way down?

[randomlegend]

Kane has chosen to do this at about the worst possible club.

He's got 3 years left of that 6 year deal he signed of his own free will. I get why he wants the move. He's 28 now and is starting to pick up more injuries as the time goes, so this is really his last chance of a mega move. Unfortunately for him, Levy will happily chain him up in the basement until something ludicrous gets put to him.

It's a really bad idea to do this though because it will absolutely affect whether talented players want to join them in future.

[Don]

Matheus Pereira has put out some Trashford essay tweet sayin he wants to leave and his manager is a cunt. Fucking hell, Jurgen, come the fuck on.

[phonics]

If you think Perreira is a monster than that's all I need to know about stat-driven transfer strategy.

[Spikey M]

It's a really bad idea to do this though because it will absolutely affect whether talented players want to join them in future.

It's nonsense anyway. Bale, Berbatov and Modric all pulled this trick and got their move. Levy has never (that I can think of)refused to sell in favour of letting the player rot in the reserves. It would make no sense for him to even entertain it. He's emotionless and pragmatic to a tedious extent.

[Mellberg]

I'd like to send personal thanks to Harry Kane for moving the circus on for a day.

[phonics]

All of those were when they weren't pretending to be a big club. Also, Modric hates Levy for the same reason Kane will: https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/luka-modric-tottenham-chelsea-daniel-levy-real-madrid-transfer-a4528156.html

[Spikey M]

All of those were when they weren't pretending to be a big club. Also, Modric hates Levy for the same reason Kane will: https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/luka-modric-tottenham-chelsea-daniel-levy-real-madrid-transfer-a4528156.html

I mean, selling his best player to Chelsea is a no go for a Tottenham Chairman. He'd be lynched.

[Queenslander]

Is Joe Hart to Celtic at 15k a week good business?

[Giggles]

All of those were when they weren't pretending to be a big club. Also, Modric hates Levy for the same reason Kane will: https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/luka-modric-tottenham-chelsea-daniel-levy-real-madrid-transfer-a4528156.html

I'm not quite getting 'hates' from that.

[randomlegend]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58068429

This summer is going to be great if it just ends up being Chelsea and City throwing lol money at teams and still getting rejected.

[niko_cee]

£85m Lukaku bid rejected (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58068429)

Ah, proper formatting cost me the scoop.

[Ian]

This is why you're not tier 1, Niko.

[Spikey M]

I get all my transfer news via Niko and apparently Beckham is going to Madrid.

[Spikey M]

Kane bottling it and going into training :happycry:

1422499200844042266?s=19

[niko_cee]

This is why you're not tier 1, Niko.

Look here you, I was lord of the Rumour Mill (god rest its soul) before Fabrizio Romano had even heard of the internet.

[Lewis]

Lukaku was crap under Mourinho in part because he needs five chances to score, and Mourinhoball doesn't provide them. What does he want to be going to this dour Chelsea for?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Chelsea bidding £85 million for a prolific centre forward, what could possibly go wrong.

[Waffdon]

Lukaku was crap under Mourinho in part because he needs five chances to score, and Mourinhoball doesn't provide them. What does he want to be going to this dour Chelsea for?

Eh? Chelsea’s problem is nobody can score any chances. They create more than most teams, Lukaku would have a field day against the minnows who they usually struggle with. Doubt he starts in their big games but I’m not sure they really need him for that.

[Ian]

Chelsea bidding £85 million for a prolific centre forward, what could possibly go wrong.

Well the surgeons never got a chance to work their magic the first time and they're still aggrieved about it.

[Baz]

Kaio Jorge signing for Juventus while Ronaldo is still there is pretty mega for him.

[randomlegend]

1422570575462125573

Good signing.

[Baz]

5.5 on FPL, we reckon?

[Spikey M]

He looks like someone but I can't put my finger on it.

[Don]

185cm Argie :happycry:

[Jimmy Floyd]

To me he looks like a bustling all rounder with three ODI caps for India.

[Offshore Toon]

Diego Costa's better looking younger brother.

[Spikey M]

Diego Costa's better looking younger brother.

I think that's it. It's like he had a baby with Amir Khan.

[Mike]

Fabinho has signed a new 5 year deal at Liverpool :cool2:

[Don]

Oof :drool:

[Shindig]

Muto’s off to Japan. At least he had a tidy finish against United once.

[randomlegend]

All the reliable reports about Pogba are saying United would rather keep him and lose him on a free next year than sell for less than 75m this summer :cab:

[Shindig]

And this is bad because? If Pogba stays, he'll get used. They at least know what they have with him. If they sell him, they'll need a replacement. Is £75m getting them another Pogba before the window shuts?

[randomlegend]

Given we've spent, what, 5 years roundly failing to convincingly fit Pogba into the team I don't think "another Pogba" is a good idea (if one even exists).

£50m would definitely give us enough to get an upgrade on Fred or McTominay for the two behind Bruno.