The Winter Transfer Thread (Sponsored by Neymars Tax Bill)

[Toby]

He's back at Chelsea already. We recalled him/Palace sent him back.


According to Wiki, he cancelled the loan himself. :D

Our future star is clearly Joao Rodriguez and his two career goals.

[niko_cee]

Maybe he's just shit.

[Toby]

Apparently Chelsea have had £20+ million bids from two Chinese clubs for Ramires, which would be a decent bit of business.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Another one seen off by the great John Michael Nchekwube Obinna.

[Weaver]

It's looking like Townsend to Newcastle isn't happening, as Spurs have said £14m and we stopped bidding at £10.5m and then offered to take him on loan. Daniel Levy doing what he does best.

I don't think we'll manage to deal with Jeremy Peace either, as he wants loads for Berahino.

We'll end up with Shefki Kuqi back, I can just feel it.

[niko_cee]

Keen to hear Saint's thoughts on Ramires to China for £25m.

[Kikó]

It's as ludicrous as Ronaldo to Spain in my eyes and we all know how that transfer played out.

[Ian]

Imagine signing Berahino. :sick:

Kuqi all the way.

[Reg]

We've got Sidwell on loan from Stoke. We often go to 5 in midfield to protect a lead so that might be in Hughton's mind.

[Lee]

Apparently we've turned down an offer to take Remy on loan for the rest of the season, which presumably means we have another striker lined up.

It is being reported we've had a bid for Eder accepted by Sampdoria, which I'd be very happy with. Fuck knows why they'd sell though, they're right in the shit in Serie A.

[Yevrah]

Monies?

[Manc]

Is it possible to buy talent for less than £30m in this age? That Brazilian lad doesn't look like joining. Klopp to settle for Remy on loan. :drool:

[Lee]

Monies?

We haven't bid that much apparently. €13m is what I've seen. I'm probably out of touch and Serie A clubs are all paupers these days.

[Gray Fox]

Is it possible to buy talent for less than £30m in this age? That Brazilian lad doesn't look like joining. Klopp to settle for Remy on loan. :drool:

Last bid was just over £25m. They want closer to £40m to sell in January. He's said he wants to leave but that doesn't change a great deal.

[Toby]

Apparently we've turned down an offer to take Remy on loan for the rest of the season, which presumably means we have another striker lined up.


Was that just a straight loan or was some sort of part exchange proposed? There seems to be a few reporters seriously linking Chelsea to a move for Vardy but it seems like classic paper talk.

[Raoul Duke]

Ramires to the 9th-best team in China for £25m is just utterly bonkers :cab:

[Ian]

Is Eder the one who was hilariously shit at the World Cup?

[Lee]

Was that just a straight loan or was some sort of part exchange proposed? There seems to be a few reporters seriously linking Chelsea to a move for Vardy but it seems like classic paper talk.

I think it was just a straight loan. Not a chance we'd be letting Vardy go at this point. Unless that was the proposal and we told them to fuck off, but it isn't what's being reported.

[Reg]

Are you thinking of Fred?

[Lee]

Is Eder the one who was hilariously shit at the World Cup?

Can't be, he wasn't capped until last year.

[Toby]

I think it was just a straight loan. Not a chance we'd be letting Vardy go at this point. Unless that was the proposal and we told them to fuck off, but it isn't what's being reported.

That's sort of what I was getting at. Loaning Remy might have some value but not if it's tied to a deal for somebody else to go the other way.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Are you thinking of Fred?

No, he was thinking of Eder.

I got confused too Ian, they're talking about an Brazilian Eder who plays for Italy that I had no idea existed until about 5 minutes ago.

[Pepe]

Portuguese Eder. :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I also didn't realise that he was at Swansea.

Whoever sanctioned that should be shot.

[phonics]

Premier League leaders Leicester City may have found that their new found fame and kudos could be working against them on at least one potential transfer. On Monday we covered reports from Italy that Leicester had made two bids to sign Eder from Sampdoria. The first bid was rejected but there was no update on the outcome of the second.

Leicester's second bid was said to be €13m (http://sportwitness.ning.com/forum/topics/leicester-city-increase-their-offer-for-eder-after-first-bid-reje), around what Sampdoria had wanted for the player, however, it could be the case that the English club have been used. Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport have a big feature on the player's future in their Tuesday edition, and they say he wants to remain in Italy.


With that in mind, Inter Milan are now apparently favourites and Eder could move within a 'matter of hours'. Eder is said to be 'very, very close' to signing up for Roberto Mancini at Inter, and trying to help the club with a race toward the Serie A title.
Leicester's bids have put Inter under pressure to pay what Sampdoria want, with the Liguria club now pressuring Inter for as much as €15m, with the response from Inter being they'll match what Leicester are said to have offered, but with €2m of that related to bonuses.

Big Premier League clubs have been used for years to get more out of others in transfer talks, and now Leicester have found themselves also in that situation.

http://sportwitness.ning.com/forum/topics/leicester-target-could-move-in-matter-of-hours-after-foxes-make-2

[Jimmy Floyd]

Why the motherfuck are we trying to loan out one of our two forwards to fucking Leicester?

We should loan them Costa if anything. Keep United out of the top four.

[Davgooner]

How shit did he look when he came on at the weekend by the way? Absolutely shambolic.

[John]

He did look a bit ambling. He was like The Flash when he was scoring all those goals for Newcastle, but he looked genuinely quite slow on Sunday. Maybe whatever issue made Liverpool pull out is slowly killing him.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He's also had The Operation, which won't have helped.

[Kikó]

Why the motherfuck are we trying to loan out one of our two forwards to fucking Leicester?

We should loan them Costa if anything. Keep United out of the top four.

Bitter. We are more than capable of keeping ourselves out of the top four thank you.

[Weaver]

It's looking like Townsend to Newcastle isn't happening, as Spurs have said £14m and we stopped bidding at £10.5m and then offered to take him on loan. Daniel Levy doing what he does best.

He's coming for a medical tomorrow, according to Sky, with £12m being the fee.

"As soon as I knew of Newcastle's interest they were the only club I wanted to join.

Two of the biggest positions you can play in football are centre forward or left winger. I've got the chance to play as one of those - I could never turn that down.

I can't wait to play my first game at St. James' Park. I'm excited!"

A midfield of Saivet, Shelvey; Sissoko, Wijnaldum, Townsend probably won't work in reality, but it sounds good.

[John]

Two of the biggest positions you can play in football are centre forward or left winger. I've got the chance to play as one of those - I could never turn that down.

What the fuck is that?

[Josh]

poor old right wing

[Toby]

How shit did he look when he came on at the weekend by the way? Absolutely shambolic.

He wasn't great - and I think a lot of that was after a bit of a knock - but Hazard had two opportunities to set him up only to give terrible passes that he had to break his stride for.

[Reg]

Why the motherfuck are we trying to loan out one of our two forwards to fucking Leicester?

We should loan them Costa if anything. Keep United out of the top four.
Won't it be because Remy doesn't want to be third choice once Pato is there? He's too old and possibly good to be sitting around on the bench all the time.

[Toby]

I get the impression he isn't happy being even second choice.

[Pen]

poor old right wing

Don't worry. Harold will have thread up when he sees this slanderous attack on the right wing.

[Magic]

We've signed (Rangers target) Toumani Diagouraga, a defensive mid from Brentford. 600k and a 2.5yr deal.

Because we needed another defensive midfielder...

[John]

You have far Toumani of them already. Twats.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Won't it be because Remy doesn't want to be third choice once Pato is there? He's too old and possibly good to be sitting around on the bench all the time.

I'd be fairly disappointed myself if Pato was ahead of me in the pecking order.

[Toby]

The silver (okay, tin) lining of the Pato signing is that it sounds like they're taking him on an initial loan with an option to buy, so if he's a flop they'll hopefully see sense.

[Magic]

You have far Toumani of them already. Twats.

I'd be far more impressed if you could do something with his surname.

[John]

I'm angry and I have no idea what to do. Diagouraga.

[Kikó]

Went to the chippy and it came out all slippy

Diagouraga,

[phonics]

The silver (okay, tin) lining of the Pato signing is that it sounds like they're taking him on an initial loan with an option to buy, so if he's a flop they'll hopefully see sense.

Went great for Falcao. I wonder if they'll activate that 38 million pound clause.

[Toby]

Went great for Falcao. I wonder if they'll activate that 38 million pound clause.

Well, yeah, that's clearly better from Chelsea's perspective because he now gets fucked off back to France after having done nothing, rather than hanging around for three years because they're unable to find anybody to buy him.

Talking of players hanging around after the manager no longer wants them, I've just discovered that Florent Malouda is now playing for the Delhi Dynamos.

EDIT: And apparently sharing the left flank with 42-year-old player/manager Roberto Carlos. :D

[leedsrevolution]

Carlos stats are still decent on fm as well. Would love a fat Ronaldo come back.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Carlos stats are still decent on fm as well. Would love a fat Ronaldo come back.

He went to Inverness on my game.

Didn't play much but he started a total of 18 games with 9 sub appearances over the 2015/16 and 2016/17 season and did pretty well. Didn't manage a goal (he missed a penalty) but he did get a total of 6 assists.

[Max Power]

Ahmed Musa :drool:

Fastest team in the world

[Jimmy Floyd]

Falcao is now being sold in tins.

[phonics]

692029800916074497

Cya later, Pards.

[Magic]

We're after Lee Tomlin now who has piled on the pounds sitting on the bench. Still we're in dire need of someone creative so I'll take him, provided we don't waste astronomical amounts of money.

[John]

Borini is refusing to leave Sunderland despite being offered as a makeweight for Andre Ayew.

Didn't he do the same thing at Liverpool and do them out of a fortune?

The little shit.

[Baz]

Yeah, Sunderland agreed to pay £12m, which we duly accepted, only for him to say he'd rather stay and fight for his place in the team after showing he was good enough whilst out on loan at Sunderland the season before. Not sure what we actually got for him when he finally agreed to go.

[John]

We've signed some child named Mekhi McLeod from Wolves. Winger, apparently, which presumably means the O'Halloran deal is dead.

[SincereTheRebel]

He is nice. Very powerful. He is similar to ibe.

[Reg]

Ramires to that Chinese club has been confirmed. Believed to be £25m which seems a very good fee for them.

Their squad is thin though, and since Hiddink has been playing Fabregas further up there aren't too many deep midfielders in there. Are they expected to buy or will youths play a bigger part?

[Lewis]

Have Chelsea bunged them that fee to dodge fair play rules?

[Reg]

They'd be fine for the FFP anyway.

Well unless they're about to buy Ronaldo or something I suppose.

[Sam]

We've signed some child named Mekhi McLeod from Wolves. Winger, apparently, which presumably means the O'Halloran deal is dead.

I'll go the opposite to Sincere, wouldn't expect much about him. Certainly would be surprised if he ended up playing at the level that Rangers are at, as he looked nowhere near breaking through at Molineux despite us barely having a squad and insistent on playing kids.

[Toby]

They'd be fine for the FFP anyway.

Well unless they're about to buy Ronaldo or something I suppose.

They'll never have planned for being out of the Champions League, let alone Europe altogether, next season. That'll blow a pretty big chunk out of their finances.

[Reg]

Ah I thought they'd be fine with the sales they've had.

[Jimmy Floyd]

There has been no rhyme or reason to anything we have done since the day Ron Gourlay suddenly left in October 2014 and only had some of his remit replaced by good old Christian Purslow.

My take is that Abramovich is completely mental/useless/irrelevant, and that since Ron Gourlay left there have been a number of competing factions, some of them club employees and some not, given different amounts of authority over different areas of the club and that often these factions have been working against each other. Football wise they are simply doing what agents tell them.

We won't be returning to the top four next season, we are now a mid table club.

[Toby]

They're pretty close to neutral on transfers for the past couple of seasons. I don't know how far FFP goes back or how much difference wages make.

Whatever the case you can't really turn down £25 million for Ramires. I'm not convinced Loftus-Cheek will kick on to much but he's good enough to act as that sort of cover.

[Magic]

5 and a half year contract for Townsend. Why are Newcastle the only club that seem to offer mental contracts in terms of length? Wild.

[Gray Fox]

Probably because after this window that's when they'll next be buying anyone.

[niko_cee]

5.5 years is fairly standard for a big January signing, isn't it?

That's what we gave Wor Andy.

[Shindig]

5 and a half year contract for Townsend. Why are Newcastle the only club that seem to offer mental contracts in terms of length? Wild.

So we can sell them at a profit/small loss in 4 years time.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It drives up the price should clubs want to buy the player. That depends of course on the player doing well.

[Magic]

Like anyone will buy Townsend for more than 14m. And like fuck he will do well enough without injuries etc to warrant profit. Its ridiculous.

[Samadini]

They're probably just hoping for another Andy Carroll moment.

It's worked for the club a few times, but fucking lol at the likes of Marveaux and Riviere stinking up the place.

[Weaver]

I'm pleased with the signing. I think he's a good player and with a bit of work, could be excellent (for us)

I'm hoping if Thauvin goes, as is rumoured, it's on loan and he comes back next season. Sissoko's been making noises about 'after the Euros' again, so Townsend might end up being Sissoko's replacement, rather than Thauvin's.

[leedsrevolution]

I think he will be a great signing for you guys to be honest.

[Magic]

Don't get me wrong so do I, just think it's a long contract.

[Manc]

Newcastle to win us the Euros.

[Giggles]

I've just seen a story about Nigel De Jong possibly joining LA Galaxy who also have Keane, van Damme, Gerrard, and Cole. Has the MLS got rid of the rules for the amount of these players at a team?

[Adamski]

They have 3 designated players who are paid higher wages. Wouldn't imagine Van Damme whoever he is would be one of them and probably not De Jong as Milan are skint.

[Adamski]

Just checked wiki. Keane Gerrard and Gio Dos Santos are their DP's.

Cole must be on a very small salary.

[Magic]

Tyne Wear clubs are after Bamba, reportedly for 2m.

:harold:

[mugbull]

Chelsea boutta sign central defender Matt Miazga, age 20, from NYRB.

What's the point

[Reg]

Paloschi from Chievo to Swansea. http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jan/27/swansea-agree-fee-alberto-paloschi

Pity it isn't possible in real life to click him into a "Poacher" role.

[Bob Sacamano]

He's 26?

Seems only a couple of years ago he became Milans youngest scorer

[Toby]

Chelsea boutta sign central defender Matt Miazga, age 20, from NYRB.

What's the point

Is he no good? I saw a few journalists saying it was a good deal for the fee. They already needed some cover there and that's without factoring in that Cahill is now looking to leave.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We needed to replace Papy Djilobodji.

[Sam]

Signed Joe Mason and Mike Williamson from Cardiff and Newcastle respectively, with what looks like Nakhi Wells on the way from Huddersfield. Scott Golbourne has been shipped out to Bristol City.

Quite happy with all that if Wells gets wrapped up, least we spent the Afobe money.

[QE Harold Flair]

http://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/transfers/arsenal-agree-fee-for-yarmolenko/ar-BBoMJxa?li=AAaeUIW


Arsenal 'agree fee' for Yarmolenko

We're signing Yarmolenko, apparently.

[Jeet]

http://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/transfers/arsenal-agree-fee-for-yarmolenko/ar-BBoMJxa?li=AAaeUIW



We're signing Yarmolenko, apparently.

Summer. No-one else this Jan.

[John]

We've signed someone called Billy King. Hopefully he comes from a family that uses Korean naming conventions.

[Josh]

Summer. No-one else this Jan.

Thanks, Arsene.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It would be some twist if diljeet turned out to be Wenger posting undercover.

[TG09]

Former England, Aston Villa and Manchester City striker Darius Vassell announces retirement

http://talksport.com/football/former-england-aston-villa-and-manchester-city-striker-darius-vassell-announces-retirement

The Sutton Coldfield-born player, who had been without a club since 2012

I never thought he was that good of a player, thought he would of go down a divison to player a bit longer unless he is injured.

Wasn't really a prolific goal scorer was he.


Years
Team
Apps†
(Gls)†


1998–2005
Aston Villa (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aston_Villa_F.C.)
162
(35)


2005–2009
Manchester City (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_City_F.C.)
103
(17)


2009–2010
Ankaragücü (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankarag%C3%BCc%C3%BC)
22
(4)


2010–2012
Leicester City (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leicester_City_F.C)
44
(6)


Total

331
(62

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-35428976

England football legend Stuart Pearce is set to come out of retirement aged 53 in a bid to transform the fortunes of a struggling non-league side.

Longford AFC, based in Gloucestershire, have lost all 18 games this season, scoring one goal and letting in 179.

Hmmmm.

[nsd]

Former England, Aston Villa and Manchester City striker Darius Vassell announces retirement

http://talksport.com/football/former-england-aston-villa-and-manchester-city-striker-darius-vassell-announces-retirement

The Sutton Coldfield-born player, who had been without a club since 2012

I never thought he was that good of a player, thought he would of go down a divison to player a bit longer unless he is injured.

Wasn't really a prolific goal scorer was he.


Years
Team
Apps†
(Gls)†


1998–2005
Aston Villa (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aston_Villa_F.C.)
162
(35)


2005–2009
Manchester City (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_City_F.C.)
103
(17)


2009–2010
Ankaragücü (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankarag%C3%BCc%C3%BC)
22
(4)


2010–2012
Leicester City (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leicester_City_F.C)
44
(6)


Total

331
(62



Any excuse to post this


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qgkchk_-HJs

[Manc]

Nolito links. :cool:

This could spell the end for Dani.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Vassell only scoring 62 career goals is a bit lol. I'm sure he's scored double that against me on FM over the years.

Best remembered for this classic personal blog post:


Right now at 12.45am I sit in the car parked outside in the local shopping centre car park . A quiet night not feeling at all like October , there’s barely a hint of wind in the air and the temperature strangely not that cold at all. I think about how busy this area will be in a few hours when the hustle and bustle of everyday life kicks in around 8am for the people of my home town Knowle but for now its almost too quiet … Tapping away on my ipad screen the sound of my fingertips are the only thing audible as I contemplate my plans for the rest of the week.

Everyone is in bed I suspect, asleep and preparing for the next day but I feel quite awake having just popped out of the house to find myself something cool to drink. (Not alcohol!) I made the mistake of having a nap at around 7pm and waking to watch what was a decent film in “The rules of engagement” starring Samuel L Jackson and Tommy Lee Jones…
I think about my Grandad who has been ill lately back in Jamaica and anticipate the opportunity of flying out to visit him and my family out there, will need to make arrangements. It’s also a good time to think about getting my heating serviced in preparation for winter.

For this month there is little to report about so I will update as necessary as my situation changes but for now I might need to leave this car park and just settle for a glass of water back home.

[Toby]

Jesus. Eighty-one in all competitions. John Terry has scored 66, for comparisons sake.

[QE Harold Flair]

Empty Vassells make the most noise.

[Lewis]

Didn't he just have pace (hence being good on shit old CM/FM), and when that went he was useless?

[Samadini]

None of the 'next big thing' strikers at Villa (Moore, Agbonlahor and Delfouneso) managed to forge a better career than Darius :cool:

[SvN]

My Villa supporting mate was adamant that Delfouneso was going to become England's best ever player. A few of us relentlessly mocked him about it and he'd smugly proclaim "Come back in 5 years and see who's laughing".

It's me, mate.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Anyone who has any kind of physical advantage whilst young should basically be discounted from next big thing status. 99% of quick young players fail. Walcott looked like a world megastar in the making and he has turned out merely good/very good.

If someone succeeds at youth level against physical odds, that's when you look at them.

[Weaver]

Sunderland have agreed a fee of £9m for Wahbi Khazri of Bordeaux, who is a striker, reckon Sky.

Never heard of him. Anyone?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Crap signing for that money.

[SincereTheRebel]

Looks like an obertan clone

[Jeet]

What the fuck are WBA doing with Berahino turning down a reported £20mill bid from Toon.

Sell or play the fucker.

[Samadini]

I'm more excited about the Kieran Gibbs talk than that of spending the budget for the next decade on Berahino now.

It's a loan though, which are normally a bit pointless, but we're a bit desperate after injuries.

[Bob Sacamano]

Sunderland have agreed a fee of £9m for Wahbi Khazri of Bordeaux, who is a striker, reckon Sky.

Never heard of him. Anyone?

I thought that was Ben Yedder for a second, I'm surprised no English club has spunked a decent amount on Ben Yedder yet, he's a classic Newcastle signing.

[phonics]

Milan have rejected 16m for Niang.

[Weaver]

I thought that was Ben Yedder for a second, I'm surprised no English club has spunked a decent amount on Ben Yedder yet, he's a classic Newcastle signing.

French-based and average? Get a load of this, from Sky:

Sky Sources understand Newcastle are on the verge of agreeing to take Atletico Madrid left-back Guilherme Siqueira on loan until the summer.

Siqueira, 29, has made seven appearances for Atletico this season under Diego Simeone.

Sky Sources also understand Newcastle have made an enquiry about the possibility of taking Roma striker Seydou Doumbia on loan until the summer.

The 28-year-old Ivorian scored 11 goals in 21 appearances for the Russian side last season.

[Lee]

Looks like we'll be signing Remy after all. Happy enough if that's the case.

[Giggles]

Is he not normally a dressing room cancer?

[Toby]

Remy? What's that based on?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Our transfer policy this window is nothing short of world class. Replace a proven, if sporadic Premier League striker with a fat mess who performs moderately in Brazil. Sell a hard-working midfielder and don't replace him.

Appalling strategy, we need to revert to buying domestic and get some upward momentum via the method of people giving a shit.

[Gray Fox]

It's as if Newcastle have all of a sudden woken up after years of spending fuck all with a wedge burning a hole in their pocket.

[Giggles]

Remy? What's that based on?

Could really be mixing him up with someone else.

EDIT: Taarabt.

[randomlegend]

Our transfer policy this window is nothing short of world class. Replace a proven, if sporadic Premier League striker with a fat mess who performs moderately in Brazil. Sell a hard-working midfielder and don't replace him.

Appalling strategy, we need to revert to buying domestic and get some upward momentum via the method of people giving a shit.

He's not even a bit fat.

[Giggles]

He's not even a bit fat.

But he doesn't wear a flat cap and play for Colchester.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He's not even a bit fat.

He looks it to me based on the shot of him walking through the airport earlier.

Brazilian football is fucking terrible and rewards laziness. He'll score 0 goals here and that's even before having the Operation.

[Samadini]

He's got a cracking double chin.

[Max Power]

Bit wary of Remy given his last 18 months but if he's fit and firing we might win the league.

Wanted Musa though :( hope we still go after him

[niko_cee]

But he doesn't wear a flat cap and play for Colchester.

He was wearing a flat cap when they doorstepped him at Gatwick the other day.

Are you injured?

:D

[niko_cee]

The expert view:


Tim Sturtridge, South American football journalist:

Pato has struggled with injuries since 2010 (hamstrings, thigh strains, muscle pulls), which curtailed his time in Milan. His return to Brazil with Corinthians was not successful with the £11.5m price tag (a massive fee for a Brazilian club to pay) weighing heavily on him.

The pace, movement and trickery that marked Pato out as a special talent in his early years have declined as injuries have taken their toll. There are parallels with Chelsea striker Radamel Falcao in this respect.

A positive for Chelsea is that Pato has turned down bigger money in China and at 26 he knows this is his last chance to make an impact in Europe. He will be aiming to reach Brazil's Copa America squad this summer.

Sounds promising.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Brazil is practically a second tier nation these days. Look at the state of their latest squad. Makes you hanker after the days of Fred.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil_national_football_team#Current_squad

[Reg]

Woah. Still, their first XI is still very much one of the best.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Is it fuck.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Neymar plus ten, isn't it? I'd like to think the defence isn't shit, but it probably is.

Not sure Argentina are much cop either, and Ecuador have won 4/4, that World Cup section is wide open.

[Reg]

Jefferson(?)
D. Alves/Danilo, Miranda, Paulista, Marcelo (he must be in the regular squad?)
Fernandinho, L. Gustavo
Willian, Oscar, D. Costa
Neymar

Who is better? Spain, France, Germany I would say.

[Lewis]

Yeah, we did this during the World Cup. They were stodgy and clearly struggling with the PRESSURE, but their first XI is as good on paper as most sides.

[niko_cee]

Does Pato have one of those dodgy passports? If he doesn't you'd have to wonder how on earth he'd be getting a work permit.

[Reg]

In the most shocking news since Blatter was confirmed as a little dodgy, Real and Atletico Madrid have had their transfer bans suspended.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jan/29/real-madrid-atletico-madrid-have-fifa-transfer-bans-suspended

[Toby]

Does Pato have one of those dodgy passports? If he doesn't you'd have to wonder how on earth he'd be getting a work permit.

I don't think he even does. At least not if FM is accurate. I thought he'd have been at Milan long enough to have qualified for Italian citizenship (/indefinite right to remain or whatever it's called) but it seems not.

[Jimmy Floyd]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CZ-WobFW0AAfhZR.png:large

I don't have any explanation for this other than that it's commercially expedient to have an American player on the books (in which case why doesn't everybody have one?) He's quite handsome as well, so maybe he can endorse our new officially licensed pop tarts in Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois or something.

[Angelsaint]

What the fuck is going on with Chelsea? Is Roman finally leaving the club like most of the morons predicted 1 million years ago and leave the club in the worst possible condition?

[Giggles]

The Nigerian fella has dirt on him I presume.

[Angelsaint]

The Nigerian fella has dirt on him I presume.
He would have an " accident " if that was the case.

[Giggles]

He would have an " accident " if that was the case.

That's most likely true, but you'd nearly have contingency plans in place with that much at stake.

[Angelsaint]

Most likely Roman too. Anyone he talked, communicated or even cough to would strangely would be in plane traveling over Ukraine.

Wow, I went a bit dark there.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Emenalo is a seriously inexplicable human, and the fact that no journalist has bothered looking into him ever (as far as I know) speaks volumes.

He came from coaching women's college 'soccer' in the USA to suddenly being brought onto our coaching staff by Grant (who presumably knew him from his time playing in Israel) and was promoted to assistant manager and then, finally, Director of Football. What sort of a career path is that? He must be a stooge for that Israeli superagent whose name escapes me. Pini Zahavi.

[Giggles]

Inexplicable is definitely hitting the nail on the head. He doesn't seem to have a clue but is untouchable.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I love this interview he did on Mourinho's sacking. It's very Guy Goma.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ail209YeOzQ

[Angelsaint]

" fans who don't like the club " sorry?

[Toby]

I don't have any explanation for this other than that it's commercially expedient to have an American player on the books (in which case why doesn't everybody have one?) He's quite handsome as well, so maybe he can endorse our new officially licensed pop tarts in Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois or something.

The price and any potential 'marketing value' will be added factors in making it worth the risk that, you know, he might actually grow into a good player.

[Weaver]

Sky Sources understand Newcastle are on the verge of agreeing to take Atletico Madrid left-back Guilherme Siqueira on loan until the summer.

Siqueira, 29, has made seven appearances for Atletico this season under Diego Simeone.

Sky Sources also understand Newcastle have made an enquiry about the possibility of taking Roma striker Seydou Doumbia on loan until the summer.

The 28-year-old Ivorian scored 11 goals in 21 appearances for the Russian side last season.

So Siqueira isn't coming, as he didn't show up for the planned medical, and now he's rumoured to be going to Red Nev's Valencia instead. A player we were linked with before Siqueita, Lucas Orban, might become available as a consequence. We're still after a LB regardless.

Seydou Doumbia is having a medical at the minute. On loan with an option to buy from Roma.

And we're still being linked with another striker - Berahino is still our main choice, but I think we've left it too late to bid. Bafetimbi Gomis is the second choice, then not sure.

No word on Thauvin but he's rumoured to be back in France at the minute.

[GS]

Newcastle have done quite well this transfer window, all things considered. It would be a surprise if they didn't start to pull away from the bottom of the table.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The price and any potential 'marketing value' will be added factors in making it worth the risk that, you know, he might actually grow into a good player.

Don't be silly, it's Chelsea and he's under 23, he won't even play. He's clearly just another one for the meat market.

[Toby]

Unlike other recent transfer activity Hiddink (so whatever your view of him, somebody with at least some footballing knowledge) appears to have had a say here. And more interestingly, Miazga's agent claims Chelsea decided to sign him on the recommendation of one Mr Didier Drogba.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm sure you can understand my pessimism.

[Toby]

Of course, but this one hardly strikes me as Michael Hector in the wtf are they doing stakes.

[ScousePig]

Newcastle have done quite well this transfer window, all things considered. It would be a surprise if they didn't start to pull away from the bottom of the table.

Think we've heard that before. That said with their squad they probably shouldn't be as low as they are anyway.

Khazri is official. I'd never heard of him until yesterday and never seen him play, but I'm more hopeful about this one than most of our other transfers in the past several years.

[Weaver]

Jordan Rhodes to Middlesbrough is off. Apparently it's a money thing e.g. he wants loads of it.

[Manc]

Geezer knows he can't cut it in the big league.

[Weaver]

Maybe... Rhodes has been on Sky Sports this afternoon saying he's 'baffled and disappointed' but that he'd passed the medical and agreed terms, so who knows?

This, though, might be happening:
693811705143521281

EDIT: I reckon WBA will turn that down. The numbers might be acceptable but they'll be hoping Spurs or Stoke take notice and jump in with more.

[Giggles]

Maybe... Rhodes has been on Sky Sports this afternoon saying he's 'baffled and disappointed' but that he'd passed the medical and agreed terms, so who knows?

This, though, might be happening:
693811705143521281

EDIT: I reckon WBA will turn that down. The numbers might be acceptable but they'll be hoping Spurs or Stoke take notice and jump in with more.

How does anyone even want him now?

[simon]

Because he's a good player and Newcastle are dying for a striker.

[Giggles]

Because he's a good player and Newcastle are dying for a striker.

From what I seen last night he's a mess and also seems like a complete disease to have around a club, though that wouldn't seem too high a priority for Newcastle I'd say.

[simon]

There's always a Newcastle.

[Lewis]

I bet cynical people would say Mike Ashley is spending because he knows they have to stay in the money league at all costs, but I think he's finally realised that a massive club like Newcastle deserves success.

[Demerit]

We've signed Mario Suarez for £4.1m, any good?

[simon]

We've signed Mario Suarez for £4.1m, any good?

Wasn't he a regular in that Atletico title-winning side? Sounds like a good signing and price, if so.

[leedsrevolution]

They have the footy manager expert on bbc again.

[Samadini]

Linked to Davide Santon on loan :*)

[Giggles]

Was yesterday the deadline being the 31st or is it today being the Monday?

[John Arne]

Today.

[five time]

BBC Football reaches new heights.

https://i.gyazo.com/4526320e72b612ef69244b2d5b1227d3.png

[Jimmy Floyd]

Those people probably think there's a genuine chance of Messi or Neymar upping sticks for the Grove. Quite tragic, in a way.

[Disco]

Wall to wall coverage of absolutely nothing happening.

[Jeet]

BBC Football reaches new heights.

https://i.gyazo.com/4526320e72b612ef69244b2d5b1227d3.png

My bros!

[CJay]

Stoke have signed Gianelli Imbula for £18m, apparently. Six months after he signed for Porto.

Is this the end of Glen Whelan?

[SincereTheRebel]

Man city have confirmed Pep. I had arsene to stand down in the summer if they won the league and pep to come in.

[Davgooner]

Those people probably think there's a genuine chance of Messi or Neymar upping sticks for the Grove. Quite tragic, in a way.

The world awaits the outcome of the Debuchy saga.

[Magic]

Man city have confirmed Pep. I had arsene to stand down in the summer if they won the league and pep to come in.

Needs a thread.

[SincereTheRebel]

Needs a thread.

PM Tobias

[Reg]

I assume Pellegrini's contract was up at the end of the season?

[Lewis]

The state of this 'Digital Team' on Sky Sports News.

[Lewis]

United should do a Garry Cook and accuse 'Pep' of having BOTTLED IT.

[Browning]

I assume Pellegrini's contract was up at the end of the season?

It wasn't. He has one more season after this one.

[QE Harold Flair]

Hope he crashes and burns. But that won't happen.

[John]

Michael O'Halloran is on his way for a medical. We'll be paying half a million quid.

That we were thinking about sending Nicky Law the other way says the management realises the squad is a bit big, and all these signings sort of put the brakes on any intention to bring youth through the club, but I trust Warburton enough to give him the benefit of the doubt and assume the current crop are just shit.

[Toby]

Steven Fletcher is off to Marseille, to play second fiddle to Michy Batshuayi instead of to Jermaine Defoe. Hopefully that's enough for Strachan to forget about him.

Although it's so long until Scotland play another relevant fixture that he may well have retired by then. Or died even.

[John Arne]

694166331642527744

[Jimmy Floyd]

I don't understand how they can announce a new head coach that will replace one who is still under contract and working at the club, unless Pep is joining as head chef.

[Browning]

Seemingly Pelligrini has agreed to go at the end of the year. He said it was when the contract originally expired, so I guess he signed an extension and then agreed to forget it, or the last year was optional. Either way it does seem like a cunt move from the board, especially considering he could quite easily win the title at least.

[John]

'Pep' is such a universally recognised genius that all other coaches will just genuflect before him. The same thing happened at Bayern. The City statement says that the decision to announce now was made with Mister Pellegrino's approval.

[Disco]

Be good to see them win a treble now, just for a laugh.

[Reg]

We've loaned Ince to Fulham. I hope he's been wanting to play for a while, and we haven't brought in Sidwell and then thought "Oh, there's not really room for Ince". He's too good a player for that. But it sounds like Hughton still wants him so hopefully it works well.

[Kikó]

United should get Pelligrino in. He's a good coach and actually a seemingly decent bloke.

[Max Power]

Pellegrini to Chelsea I reckon.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Nailed on. 'Who's the most famous foreign coach available' is our timeless and failsafe appointment strategy.

[niko_cee]

Is it my jaded lack of interest or have these deadline days become worse and worse year on year (in somewhat ironic contrast to the associated hype, although even that seems to be fading now)?

[Baz]

I'd rather have Pellegrini instead of Guardiola. I can't be the only one, surely? Pellegrini is top, and his style of play is great.

[niko_cee]

He's an engineer and all.

[Mellberg]

I reckon we're fine as we are anyway.

[Weaver]

Ritchie de Laet is at Boro's training ground along with Jordan Rhodes.

If Boro don't get promoted, I'll eat the TTH Pube Sandwich.

[randomlegend]

You'd be the first to.

[Shindig]

A few of the City fans at work reckoned Pellegrini looked legitimately old and tired at the weekend. This might be his last job.

[Giggles]

City were always meh but I can want them to lose now. It's always better one way or the other.

[Reg]

We've got a new forward, Jiri Skalak, which I wasn't expecting. His goal record isn't all that great (I'm not sure of his main position though - "versatile forward".) But he's probably cheap and is a Czech international.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Guillem Balague says we're trying to offload Falcao. Did we fucking sign him permanently? I thought he was on loan from United/Monaco/Hades itself.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Guillem Balague says we're trying to offload Falcao. Did we fucking sign him permanently? I thought he was on loan from United/Monaco/Hades itself.

Chelsea want to cancel it and Atletico are trying to take him on loan.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Haven't they suffered enough?

[Manc]

Yellow really is an awful colour.

[Kikó]

How much wedge is Mendes making off the Falcao wheelchair tour?

[Jimmy Floyd]

I just want to know how Mendes is in 400 places at once. Is he an actual person, or more of a concept?

[Kikó]

Him and Penis Zahavi must be like Schrödinger's cat.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Some quick googling tells me he has been Agent of the Year at these completely legit awards six times in a row.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globe_Soccer_Awards

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

694264268376674304

That's a bit of a strange one.

[Ian]

Have the Beeb been doing "Fantasy Football Champion" opinions as long as they've been having Football Manager Experts?

Fucking hell.

[Waffdon]

#FreeSaido

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Have the Beeb been doing "Fantasy Football Champion" opinions as long as they've been having Football Manager Experts?

Fucking hell.
We could have gotten Andy involved.

P_3 is leading our league this year so he can get on it for the Beeb in the Summer.

[Toby]

Have the Beeb been doing "Fantasy Football Champion" opinions as long as they've been having Football Manager Experts?

Fucking hell.

As I probably said last time around, I'd rather they have people like that do it and be paid peanuts than have a live feed of Alan Shearer or whatever other idiot former footballer they're paying thousands to talk exclusively in cliches. The whole thing seems light-heartedly self mocking, which makes the outraged Twitter plebs quite amusing in comparison.

[Max Power]

Why are West Brom rejecting £20m+ offers for Berahino when he can't get a game for them? Am I missing something, seems weird.

[Kikó]

The secret footballer says it's because the chairman doesn't want Pullis to pocket the proceeds.

[Raoul Duke]

What's he going to do, spend it on leisurewear?

[GS]

Torres and Falcao pitching up at Atletico when neither can actually run any more. What's even the point?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

No Big Ben tonight?

Fucking shambles from Sky Sports News.

[Shindig]

More to the point, what we were doing with £21m bids in the first place? Is Ashley sitting there thinking, "They're not biting. Add another £10m just for laughs."

Cue a Carroll in reverse.

[Ian]

Indeed. Bidding that for a player who's had one genuinely good season and is clearly a stroppy little tart.

[Shindig]

I still think a big club move might do him some good but I don't see anyone biting. We're not going to bring him in after the Doumbia move and a window where we've already spent £30m. If he just knuckled down for six months he could get a daft move to Liverpool.

[Reg]

I hadn't seen the Doumbia news. Could be a very good signing that.

[TG09]

Why are West Brom rejecting £20m+ offers for Berahino when he can't get a game for them? Am I missing something, seems weird.

Way too much for a player that is really unproven. Yes he has scored a few goals here and there, but nothing that consistent.

[Lewis]

Stoke chucking twenty million quid at some nobody. :drool:

[Chrissy]

Stoke chucking twenty million quid at some nobody. :drool:

I really have never heard of that cunt, at all. I'm fucking bemused at alot of deals going on. Steven Fletcher to Marseilles for example. Jesus fucking christ that's a strange one.

[Weaver]

A front three of Cabella, Thauvin and Fletcher for Marseille :cool:

#TransferDeadline ended up being a bit shit, didn't it? For example, who is that lad Everton have spent £14 million quid on? Even Imbula, while I've heard the name, means nothing at all.

[Browning]

I wouldn't have sold Berahino to Newcastle for that either. He's their only capable striker and taking him out the team would be bad enough, but sending him to a relegation rival would be madness and cost them a lot more than £21m when he inevitably saved them and sent Brom down. I probably would have accepted it from a team who isn't a direct rival though.

[Giggles]

He's scored one in six.

[Browning]

He's scored one in six.

It actually seems to be worse than that looking at his stats. I guess his Cup goals have confused me as to how good he's been. Still they've been going on about his fitness etc, so he's clearly not 100%. They need to get him playing again, but selling your best players to relegation rivals is plain stupid.

Edit- Oh, you meant on average. I was looking at how many games since he last scored. Something clearly isn't right with him but given how much they've put into him over 12 years selling him to Newcastle so he can dig them out of trouble just doesn't seem worth it. Had it been Stoke/Spurs then yea, maybe.

[Browning]

On another topic, given Aberdeen are 2nd in Scotland, no idea what they're doing taking Simon Church off us. The guy is absolutely useless. The only thing he's good at is letting defenders completely mark him out of games.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I have no idea what West Brom are doing with Berahino. They won't play him, and they won't sell him even for an absurdly inflated fee. It seems Jeremy Peace's ego is more important either than the club's bank balance or the player's career.

[Giggles]

It's good to see really, and with the new TV deal they probably aren't as desperate as they once would have been. No problem with a player cashing in but also no problem with a club that the contract are signed with putting their foot down either.

[phonics]

I don't know what the offers were like this time round but Spurs original offer was 5 million a year for 5 years. When you make 140 for coming 17th, what's the point?

[Samadini]

Newcastle only pay everything upfront for their transfers these days, so they rejected £21m. Glad it's money saved for Carroll in the Summer instead now.

[Davgooner]

Why are West Brom rejecting £20m+ offers for Berahino when he can't get a game for them? Am I missing something, seems weird.

Because Pulis has decided he's going to try and ruin his career to teach him a lesson. It's mental.

[Max Power]

Jesus, thats vindictive.

How are West Brom so far clear of the drop? Everytime I've seen them they've been utter rubbish, everytime I glance at a result they seem to have drawn 1-1 or 0-0.

[Toby]

Exactly the same W/D/L record as Chelsea. :moop:

[Giggles]

In this day and age, would Pulis wouldn't even have 10% of the required input for that.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It was Peace who Berahino namechecked last time when they wouldn't let him go to Spurs. It's probably a Bill Kenwright esque luvvie ego trip.


In 2013, the Daily Express reported that Peace "runs the club with a rod of iron. Any manager has to accept the title of ‘head coach’ and be prepared to slot into the way Peace does things."

He has probably got an ego the size of Saturn and couldn't deal with Berahino calling him out last time.

[Weaver]

Something I read a few weeks ago (not sure on source etc.) had it that WBA thought they could still fetch the same figure (of over £20m) even by keeping him for another six months or so, and they reckoned the could get 'at least £15m' if they let his contract expire in 2017 from tribunal due to length of time at the club, him being an England international etc.

Now that the transfer window is shut, I can't believe Villa haven't signed a single player, even if they used their position as a Premier League club now to get ready for the Championship next year. I would've thought most of their squad will bugger off as well, so actively choosing to stand still is very odd.

[Toby]

How do they think they're getting tribunal money for a by then 24 year old?

EDIT: Ah. His birthday is about six weeks after the end of his contract.

[Lewis]

Are they not paying him until this tribunal takes place?

[igor_balis]

Whenever I've watched us this season we have indeed looked abject. Fuck off Pulis.

RE: Berahino, I imagine him, Peace and Pulis are all to blame. Three big egos there. Think I heard Berahino's old agent is a total twat as well, who was probably at least partly responsible for his previous transgressions.

[Reg]

A kid we've signed for the U21s has become the bazillionth player to mention our facilities as a reason for signing. Thank you once again Mr Bloom.

By the way, for anyone like me who's missed 90% of what's happened this window, this is useful: http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/feb/01/premier-league-transfer-window-january-2016-club-by-club

[The Merse]

Something I read a few weeks ago (not sure on source etc.) had it that WBA thought they could still fetch the same figure (of over £20m) even by keeping him for another six months or so, and they reckoned the could get 'at least £15m' if they let his contract expire in 2017 from tribunal due to length of time at the club, him being an England international etc.

Now that the transfer window is shut, I can't believe Villa haven't signed a single player, even if they used their position as a Premier League club now to get ready for the Championship next year. I would've thought most of their squad will bugger off as well, so actively choosing to stand still is very odd.

What's happened at the Villa really is a travesty. At least Ashley has pulled his finger out in the realisation that the investment is a pittance if it guarantees survival from a purely financial perspective. Lerner needs fucking shooting.

[niko_cee]

What's going on with China? Atletico have just shifted 29 year old, 3 goals in 22 games, Jackson Martinez out there for £31m. Might they be interested in a Benteke?

[Giggles]

What's going on with China? Atletico have just shifted 29 year old, 3 goals in 22 games, Jackson Martinez out there for £31m. Might they be interested in a Benteke?

Didn't one of them give Chelsea a fortune for Ramires too?

[niko_cee]

Aye. Second biggest spending league in the world for the window just gone I think.

:cab:

[Raoul Duke]

They seem to have gone mental recently. Falcao and Yaya Toure are nailed on to go there I reckon.

[Toby]

They're in the image over quality new stage new leagues go through, hyped up tenfold since Chinese people tend to be obsessed with that anyway. Giving the appearance that they're snapping up players in their relative prime from major clubs is more important than getting actually talented players from lesser clubs, because until they can convince people to actually start watching nobody cares who wins their competitions anyway.

Plus it's all hugely corrupt and half of these deals are probably just money laundering. The Chinese government's new found love of football and desire to qualify for the World Cup by 2022 or whatever it is will be driving some of it as well, since business types will see investing in football as a good way to impress officials.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm all for the crispy aromatic dollar. The more players are dragged into joke leagues on the other side of the world, the less Champions League Footy Mate will actually matter. Same goes for Giovinco etc being paid entirely in doughnuts.

[Weaver]

Nenad Milijas is another SUPERSTAR who's in China, lest we forget.

In the same situation, would any of you move to China? I suppose it's different for these players as they've already moved countries a few times, but I'm not sure I would fancy it, even for double wages.

[simon]

I'd rather play my football in the Championship. Or League 1. This is presuming that I'm a Premier League footballer.