The Winter Transfer Thread (Sponsored by Neymars Tax Bill)

[phonics]

Chelsea have signed this bloke


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IuIrTRf9Ok&feature=youtu.be

[Jimmy Floyd]

What we're really crying out for is a striker directly from Argentinian football. Those transfers always work out well.

[Manc]

Sane to Anfield? No thanks mate. Paying over the odds for teenagers wins you squiggle short term.

[John]

Sane looks genuinely brilliant, and if there's one nationality of player you won't go wrong with at the moment it's a German.

[Yaysus]

pls give +40m

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34893228

IT'S ON!!!!!!!!!

[niko_cee]

United would be better off offering £80m for Neymar.

Or Suarez.

:baz:

[Kikó]

I look forward to us chasing Ronaldo and then Bale and then Neymar and then Suarez all summer only to sign none of them.

[Giggles]

I look forward to us chasing Ronaldo and then Bale and then Neymar and then Suarez all summer only to sign none of them.

£50m and INTERNATIONAL GOALSCORER Delle Alli is yours.

[randomlegend]

What about £60m and Rooney?

[Ian]

You've done your maths wrong there, you mean £80m and Rooney, no?

[niko_cee]

Just imagine the loyalty bonus Rooney would be due if he was ever sold.

:drool:

[Giggles]

There's a Brighton fan on here isn't there? What would opportunities be like in their central midfield at the moment? I'm guessing by the league table that they're pretty strong all round.

http://www.balls.ie/football/richie-towell-set-for-big-move-and-hes-doing-a-lot-better-than-league-2/316999

[niko_cee]

Kayal and Stephens (the central midfield pairing) are pretty much the pivotal players in the side, then they have Ince (Hughton doesn't seem to fancy him as much other than as a game closer outer) and Crofts who I think has been playing there a bit. A few more too (Holla) although none are at the level of the first two. Up front is probably where they are weakest/have the least depth.

What kind of player is this Towell chap?

[Giggles]

Kayal and Stephens (the central midfield pairing) are pretty much the pivotal players in the side, then they have Ince (Hughton doesn't seem to fancy him as much other than as a game closer outer) and Crofts who I think has been playing there a bit. A few more too (Holla) although none are at the level of the first two. Up front is probably where they are weakest/have the least depth.

What kind of player is this Towell chap?

Central midfielder, plays fairly deep even though he scored 27 goals this season. Likes to arrive in the box late and hits everything first time. He's definitely the best performer the league here has seen in years though he is going to find it tough making a step up like that and even getting playing time I'd imagine. If he couldn't make it at Celtic or Hibs then he's going to find the top of the championship even a step up from that.

.

[niko_cee]

Yeah, I doubt he'd walk into the side, but, at the same time, I would imagine he'd get opportunities if he's good enough - Brighton suffer when either of their first choice central midfielders are unavailable.

Reg is the Brighton fan you're after, although I'm never sure if he's a Brighton fan with an interest in United or vice-versa.

[phonics]

What kind of player is this Towell chap?

Occasionally walked over, gets hung out to dry by his team mates, useful in case of early showers. etc.

[Disco]

Something something early bath.

[Lewis]

http://www.football365.com/news/liverpool-could-pay-10m-plus-for-ings

lol if that happens.

[niko_cee]

United should say they were going to pay half a billion for him.

[Magic]

We've apparently signed Liam Bridcutt on loan. He can join his shitcunt team mate in doing absolutely fuck all. Looking forward to it.

[Reg]

Sam, you're a Wolves fan right? What's van La Parra like? We've got him on loan for a month.

[Giggles]

http://www.football365.com/news/liverpool-could-pay-10m-plus-for-ings

lol if that happens.

Spurs need to get involved to keep that price as high as possible.

[Lewis]

James Wilson has been loaned to Brighton. I'm not one of these wallies who think he should be starting, but it's not like United have a load of depth there.

[Baz]

All you need is Rooney.

[Pen]

James Wilson has been loaned to Brighton. I'm not one of these wallies who think he should be starting, but it's not like United have a load of depth there.

Just making room for Ronaldo, Neymar and possibly Paul Ince.

[Reg]

That could be a great signing, pretty chuffed with that.

Don't know what United are doing.

[Andy]

Was it Wilson who scored twice on his debut? Thought he was highly rated yet doesn't get a look in.

[Reg]

Yep! Van Gaal just likes Fellaini's head too much.

[Kikó]

Better he gets game time rather than waste his time on the bench or reserves. Can't beat a bit of fellaini.

[Sam]

Sam, you're a Wolves fan right? What's van La Parra like? We've got him on loan for a month.

Won't beat a man, won't tackle, really is a man who is scared of his own shadow.

[Reg]

Won't beat a man, won't tackle, really is a man who is scared of his own shadow.
Eeek. I guess he'll be alright for cover, maybe. It was only because we have a couple of attacking players injured.

Cheers.

[Waffdon]

Splashing the monies on PONGOLLE and Demel :drool:

[Magic]

Splashing the monies on PONGOLLE and Demel :drool:



2012–2014
FC Rostov (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FC_Rostov)
18
(2)


2014
Chicago Fire (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Fire_Soccer_Club)
7
(1)


2015
Lausanne-Sport (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FC_Lausanne-Sport)
0
(0)


2015–
Dundee United (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dundee_United_F.C.)
0
(0)




What a decline, ending beautifully at it's lowest point.

[Kikó]

It's on again. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/cristiano-ronaldo-ready-return-manchester-6920414

[Reg]

Wilson looked bright yesterday, although once he got himself into a great position he should have scored.

Fans were raving about him; other than Vicente and the return of Zamora, it's probably the most positive reception any new player has got for a long time.

[Kikó]

He seems to have movement and pace and an eye for goal. Looked unlucky not to get one yesterday with the one of the post, Hope he improves so Pep can make him a superstar next season.

[Reg]

That's the chance I meant; I think he should have scored although haven't seen any replays. Looks quicker than when I've seen him on TV.

What would Pep do with Rooney, I wonder...

[Kikó]

Execute him.

I think he probably should have but it was fractions.

[Baz]

Ronaldo back in England. :drool:

[Giggles]

Yeah, I doubt he'd walk into the side, but, at the same time, I would imagine he'd get opportunities if he's good enough - Brighton suffer when either of their first choice central midfielders are unavailable.

Reg is the Brighton fan you're after, although I'm never sure if he's a Brighton fan with an interest in United or vice-versa.

Done anyway. He's already aiming for the 2016 Euro squad :D

http://www.sportsjoe.ie/football/speculation-over-richie-towell-makes-the-move-everyone-expected/52443

[Andy]

Another window of hoping we keep hold of everyone. I'd try and sign Stekelenburg permanently and maybe loan a couple of our youngsters.

[Lewis]

Tim Sherwood on recruitment (http://www.football365.com/news/sherwood-blasts-new-fangled-scouts-and-pie-charts) is good. lol at 'expected goals'.

[Reg]

Reg is the Brighton fan you're after, although I'm never sure if he's a Brighton fan with an interest in United or vice-versa.
Missed this bit upthread. Brighton fan way above my casual United following. Have a season ticket most years (ended up getting three-quarter season tickets this time).

You summed up our centre midfield nicely by the way. I'm surprised it's worked out this way for Ince, under Oscar he looked like he'd be one of the first names on the teamsheet until a Premier League club came in for him. It's been no fault of his own though really, like you say Stephens and Kayal are so important.

[simon]

Tim Sherwood on recruitment (http://www.football365.com/news/sherwood-blasts-new-fangled-scouts-and-pie-charts) is good. lol at 'expected goals'.

He's hitting the nail on the head with all of that, to be fair.

[randomlegend]

“You are always better off going for quality rather than quantity,” added Sherwood, whose Villa signed 12 players in the summer, more than any other Premier League side.

Ha.

[Jeet]

Linked to Jese, will prob stall on wages.

I assume everyone will be fit for the whole month of Jan.

[phonics]

"The Daily Mirror claim this is because Rodgers is considering a lucrative deal in the Middle East, while South Wales Evening Post report that Rodgers feels it is too early to return to management, having been sacked in early October. The Times believe Rodgers has set his sights on replacing Roy Hodgson as England manager, and has thereby rejected Swansea’s advances."

You wot m8?

[John Arne]

The Mirror, mate.

[phonics]

The Times, actually.

[John Arne]

Oh yeah. My bad.

[Manc]

When Woy inevitably shits the bed next summer, the job could go to anyone. Pards, Rodgers, Tactics Tim. Is Carver still without work?

[Angelsaint]

I already found the players Mourinho has to buy:

William Carvalho, bolasie and...Lewandowski/Suarez

[Angelsaint]

I know from a safe source that Mourinho is watching Suk from Setúbal but I am sure he is monitoring many so it's worth what is worth.
Seems like a good player, good enough for Chelsea? Not sure.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He can share a flat with Papy Djilobodji. I suppose the Operation ruins any good strikers we buy, so we might as well start bringing in shit ones.

[Angelsaint]

He is south Korean. Wasn't a thing about Koreans and Africans not loving each other in the US

[Jimmy Floyd]

If you mean are Asians racist towards black people, yes, yes they are.

[Angelsaint]

Must be guys or old women thing because young female Asians in here suffer from a really strong jungle fever

[niko_cee]

Suarez?

:D

[phonics]

Bolasie seems a total Mourinho player too.

He'd be in and out the door quicker than you can say Juan Cuadrado.

[Angelsaint]

Yeah because ozil and di Maria confirm your theory....

[phonics]

Real Madrid who are famous for selling their best players to afford the shiny new thing.

[Angelsaint]

Mourinho is not real Madrid.

[phonics]

I thought you were replying to the Suarez thing. If you're talking about Bolasie than it's an even more retarded point than I thought originally.

[Angelsaint]

How is that?
You claim bolasie is not " Mourinho player ".

I argue by showing 2 players Mourinho bought that were not " Mourinho players ".

The rest is you trying to escape a humiliation from "old Saint ".

[phonics]

There's a slight level of difference in quality between Mezut Ozil, Angel Di Maria and Yannick Bolasie. He's a good player but he'd get as much time as Victor Moses and would be out the club 5x faster.

[Angelsaint]

Well...I think you will be surprised with. Bolasie in a big club.

Moses has everything to be with the big names of the world but was unlucky to live in a nation that treats young kids as the final product at the age of 16. Some can live with it some not.

[SvN]

Saint has really upped his game these last few days.

[phonics]

Well...I think you will be surprised with. Bolasie in a big club.

Moses has everything to be with the big names of the world but was unlucky to live in a nation that treats young kids as the final product at the age of 16. Some can live with it some not.

Where's that?

[Angelsaint]

Obviously Nepal...stop with this attitude and argue like an adult. You have interesting opinions but please do not rely on this kind of attitude.

SvN if you have something to add, please go ahead. This kind of comments are totally unnecessary.

[phonics]

No, where?

He lived in the UK from the age of 11 after both his parents were murdered, (I'm assuming this was a dig at Nigerians?) and I don't think he even made his first appearance for Palace until he was 17. Let alone move to Wigan where he actually made his name. It's the ramblings of a madman so I'll take you up on it.

[Toby]

It doesn't seem that contentious to suggest weight of expectation might have affected Moses' development. Look at the state of this, written when he was only 14: http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/may/20/football.immigration

[Lewis]

He was probably about nineteen when they wrote that.

[Angelsaint]

I was talking about the UK. That article shows the culture in the UK.

[Reg]

Looks like Iturbe is going to Watford on loan with an option to buy. That'd be quite a big coup. I don't think he's good enough for Roma's first eleven yet but he's got lots of potential.

[SincereTheRebel]

Lukaku should be gone at the end of the season. Man gave everton three years of quality. He needs to leave them and further his career.

[John]

Michu is off to the fourth tier in Spain. What the fuck has happened to him?

[Kikó]

He was Zaki'd. Half a good season then some kind of meltdown and down to the depths.

[Giggles]

Michu is off to the fourth tier in Spain. What the fuck has happened to him?

Someone was talking about that on the radio the other night. Isn't his brother or something managing the team he's gone to and he's just going for a while to try get his fitness back up?

[igor_balis]

His knee is absolutely fucked I think. Pretty sure I read that it 'exploded'. His brother is indeed coaching there, so I guess he might as well have a laugh in the 4th tier of Spanish football as I don't think he'd be physically capable of playing that much higher anyway.

[Weaver]

Looks like Iturbe is going to Watford on loan with an option to buy. That'd be quite a big coup. I don't think he's good enough for Roma's first eleven yet but he's got lots of potential.

Sky have posted a few things about this today, and here's the gist:
He's had a medical at Watford
Bournemouth became interested
Watford said they didn't want to be involved in a bidding war, so talks have stalled
And now it looks like Bournemouth are going to pay £1.1m for the rest of the season, with the option of paying £16m for him in the summer, if the deal gets sorted.

[Josh]

Looks to me like Flores met him and something didn't click. He also wanted assurances on amount of games which Flores won't give to anyone as they have to learn our system which takes a long time for Flores to be happy.

The guy clearly has a lot of talent but I'm 100% behind the coach who has led us to 7th in the table after 17 games.

[Demerit]

Yeah it seems like it was less about the money, more about his personality which Flores doesn't think will suit the squad.

They met yesterday for around four hours after his initial medical and he didn't like the look of him apparently.

We still have Ibarbo sitting in the reserves, are they not more or less the same player?

[Josh]

No idea as we haven't actually got to see him properly yet. Perhaps he will get a game over Christmas?

[Demerit]

I can see him going back to Roma in January if we bring in another winger, I think Holebas will go too.

[Lewis]

No-mark teams spending sixteen million on foreign, probably shit strikers. English football is donning it.

[Boydy]

http://www.90min.com/posts/2818303-jurgen-klopp-issues-request-to-liverpool-board-to-sign-psg-s-lucas-moura?a_aid=36375

Klopp wants Lucas Moura from PSG, apparently.

Is he any good?

[Manc]

I'll happily take the lad. Hopefully he's pals with Robbie and Phil.

[John]

He's been shit hot a few times I've seen him and completely anonymous a few other times. He's a fucking whippet though, so there's that.

[Boydy]

As long as he moves off the ball he'd be an improvement on Benteke.

[GS]

"Bentekkers" annoys me by looking like he is physically incapable of running about. He's meant to be quite good sometimes, too.

[Manc]

That and he only seems capable of scoring pearlers.

[Andy]

If we had any sense we'd go out and get someone who can step straight into the starting eleven and make an instant impact. Either a centre back, a defensive midfielder or a number ten.

We where in the same position squad wise this time last season when we had or best ever chance of getting into to top four and bought in a couple of loans so I've got no hope.

The lasts thing we need to do is pad out the squad with a old of players who either aren't good enough or just won't get a game - Juanmi, Elia, Djurkic, Romeu, Martino etc.

[ScousePig]

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/sunderland-afc/latest-safc-news/safc-match-analysis/revealed-the-six-transfer-targets-sunderland-boss-sam-allardyce-is-chasing-1-7639444

This links us with:
Sebastian Haller
Lamine Kone
Joel Matip
James Collins
Kevin Volland
Charlie Austin

Other than the British pair (and I can't see Austin coming here anyway) I don't know much about them.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Matip is too good for you, and Volland is far too good for you.

[Weaver]

679636019424137216

Never heard of him.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I read that as £51m for a brief moment and thought the world had gone mad.

[John Arne]

I'm surprised to see a reasonable transfer fee.. Shocking.

[Gray Fox]

Can honestly say I've never heard of him, but nice to see us not spending £20m on a player this time. Hopefully he's given a chance and not given the Markovic treatment.

[Kikó]

Name me one good player a (supposed) top team has got on the cheap (<15m) in the last 5 years?

5.1 million has alarm bells all over it.

[simon]

Name me one good player a (supposed) top team has got on the cheap (<15m) in the last 5 years?

5.1 million has alarm bells all over it.

Cesar Azpilicueta.

[Lewis]

Bastian Schweinsteiger. :cool:

[Kikó]

Yeah but other than education what have the Romans done for us?

[SvN]

Darmian was a good signing, despite his form at the moment. I reckon he'll come good in the long run.

[Jeet]

Most the Arsenal players apart from Ozil and Sanchez.

[Lewis]

You're probably still right (maybe at less than ten). I bet you could build a great relegation candidate out of all those left-field punts Ferguson took after 2008.

Do United really want Lucas Moura, ITKiko?

[Kikó]

United don't even know what manager they want so I doubt they can forward think on transfers.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Lol at that story about United wanting Mourinho to toe the corporate line. You all got your hopes up, didn't you?

[Boydy]

Name me one good player a (supposed) top team has got on the cheap (<15m) in the last 5 years?

5.1 million has alarm bells all over it.

Clyne was 12.5 mil

[Kikó]

I admit the theory has some exceptions.

[Boydy]

Coutinho and Sturridge were less than 15 million too.

And Can. Not sure if people would rate him highly enough to qualify but I think he's great.

[Jeet]

Clyne was 12.5 mil

He said good players.

[Boydy]

He said good players.

I knew this was going to be your response (predicted it exactly right, word for word) when I saw you had quoted me.

Clyne's been brilliant for Liverpool. And he had an established reputation in the Premiership before they signed him too.

[John Arne]

Name me one good player a (supposed) top team has got on the cheap (<15m) in the last 5 years?

5.1 million has alarm bells all over it.

We are signing him from Red Star, too - which will obviously be a lot cheaper than Southamptonor even one of the Big 5 European leagues. Here's hoping.

[Vim]

Name me one good player a (supposed) top team has got on the cheap (<15m) in the last 5 years?

5.1 million has alarm bells all over it.

You're only counting the Premier League right? Vidal for for £8M, Tevez for £9M, even Mandzukic for £13M, etc.

[mugbull]

Dele Alli was 5 mil, Dier was something around that. Dembele was 15 mil on the dot. We've had some shitters but we've got a solid number of good players on the cheap too.

[simon]

This is a donning from all directions.

Kiko. :(

[John]

Lewandowski was a free.

[ScousePig]

Matip is too good for you, and Volland is far too good for you.

I've no idea, but Yann M'Vila plays for us.

Just read a bit on Matic. Yeah, he's not coming.

[Kikó]

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/9foi342LXQE/maxresdefault.jpg

[John Arne]

I've no idea, but Yann M'Vila plays for us.

Just read a bit on Matic. Yeah, he's not coming.

You massively overate M'Vila. No offence, he looks good for you, because he's playing alongside Rodwell and Toivonen .

[ScousePig]

You massively overate M'Vila. No offence, he looks good for you, because he's playing alongside Rodwell and Toivonen .

Duly noted.

[Demerit]

Ighalo was free

[John]

He's not actually your player, though. If Italian TV money ever exceeds that for the Premiership, admittedly not likely, he'll be off back there straight away.

[ScousePig]

Ighalo? He's signed permanently for Watford, I think. Looks class to me.

M'Vila will never be ours permanently, unless he loses a leg.

[Giggles]

He had kind of passed me by until I heard Kenny Cunningham (geebag) naming him in his team of the season on the radio last night.

[Kikó]

Watford and Southampton aren't supposed top teams so fuck off. And Spurs can do one as well.

I'm going to discard bosman frees as well and past their best Germans.

[Demerit]

He's not actually your player, though. If Italian TV money ever exceeds that for the Premiership, admittedly not likely, he'll be off back there straight away.

He's likely not to be around long enough for that to happen, but thanks for the ickle seethe.

[John]

Put those goalposts back.

[Kikó]

I definitely will not. Despite the evidence, I will continue to insist otherwise.

[Boydy]

I still donned the shit out of you even with your shifting goalposts. That's twice today, 'Keeks'.

[Kikó]

Have some Christmas spirit "Boyds"

[Bob Sacamano]

Giroud was around £10 Million.

Are we counting Leicester as a top team? :baz:

Mahrez, Vardy, Kante.

[mugbull]

And Spurs can do one as well.


:D

Bigger than United

[The Merse]

Might as well join in... Cazorla was £10m

£10 - fucking - million.

£10,000,000.00

Ridiculous in the grand scheme of things really.

[Giggles]

Alderweireld. Twice.

[Kikó]

:D

Bigger than United

You what.

[mugbull]

Who's ahead of who on goal difference? That's what I thought.

[Giggles]

Who's ahead of who on goal difference? That's what I thought.

Bigger or ahead this moment?

[mugbull]

They're equivalent, if you score more goals and concede fewer then you're a bigger team. Really simple actually

[ScousePig]

'Simple' is quite apt, I agree.

[Giggles]

They're equivalent, if you score more goals and concede fewer then you're a bigger team. Really simple actually

Good Christ do you actually believe that?

[Reg]

I thought mok was joking.

[mugbull]

Good Christ do you actually believe that?

Of course. The gating factors are, what, finances and fanbase? Levy's a Jew billionaire so we've got finances sorted for big club status and as for fanbase, I'm pretty sure we have more fans in Croatia than United, as well as many other countries I'm told, which unfortunately I can't name because i'm illiterate.

[Giggles]

Of course. The gating factors are, what, finances and fanbase? Levy's a Jew billionaire so we've got finances sorted for big club status and as for fanbase, I'm pretty sure we have more fans in Croatia than United, as well as many other countries I'm told, which unfortunately I can't name because i'm illiterate.



They're equivalent, if you score more goals and concede fewer then you're a bigger team. Really simple actually

Oh God you're not actually joking.

You're saying Tottenham Hotspur are a bigger club than Manchester United, largely based on half of this season and fans in Croatia? Really?

[mugbull]

Oh God you're not actually joking.

You're saying Tottenham Hotspur are a bigger club than Manchester United, largely based on half of this season and fans in Croatia? Really?

I mean, that's just the result of being a bigger club. We haven't sacked our manager since the end of 2013-14, while in that same time period United sacked 2 of them. We also have a new stadium lined up for 2 years from now while United have been at Old Trafford for over 100 years, a relic of the ancient past. We're bigger by some margin, and it's growing by the season.

[Kikó]

Does he not know we have 657 million fans globally?

[Giggles]

I mean, that's just the result of being a bigger club. We haven't sacked our manager since the end of 2013-14, while in that same time period United sacked 2 of them. We also have a new stadium lined up for 2 years from now while United have been at Old Trafford for over 100 years, a relic of the ancient past. We're bigger by some margin, and it's growing by the season.

:D Spurs are piss in a bucket compared to Man Utd in terms of 'big club'.

You do know that they've renovated Old Trafford a few times in that period too don't you?

[mugbull]

We've also had Jermain Defoe at the club for 2 (2!) spells, whereas United have failed to acquire Jermain Defoe at any point in their history.

[Giggles]

We've also had Jermain Defoe at the club for 2 (2!) spells, whereas United have failed to acquire Jermain Defoe at any point in their history.

Aaaahhhh.

[Smiffy]

.....

[Giggles]

Did it really need a Defoe post to see he was taking the piss?

It did. Because he's mokbull.

[Weaver]

Bournemouth are going to be fined for breaking the Football League's Financial Fair Play stuff last year, while Fulham and Nottingham Forest are going to be transfer embargoed until the end of the season.

I think they all can appeal, so it's not official yet, but they can't be surprised.

[Byron]

Drogba is hoping he can go back to help Chelsea out of their current mess.

Jim is wanking himself into oblivion as we speak.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I can get off just from imagining the look on Costa's face when the Drog rolls back into the dressing room in a full set of tweeds.

[ScousePig]

Bournemouth are going to be fined for breaking the Football League's Financial Fair Play stuff last year, while Fulham and Nottingham Forest are going to be transfer embargoed until the end of the season.

I think they all can appeal, so it's not official yet, but they can't be surprised.

Did it help Bournemouth get into the Premier League, and if so, why would they give a fuck?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

http://metro.co.uk/2015/12/27/signing-aleksandr-kokorin-in-the-january-transfer-window-could-win-arsenal-the-premier-league-5583829/

:harold:

If anyone bigger than a mid-table club in any semi-decent league go after him I'll lol myself into a coma.

[mugbull]

He'd be worse than Chamakh.

[Manc]

Judging by the columns this past week it seems Pool are in the market for a keeper. Hasn't Minerals just signed a new deal?

[Reg]

Won't beat a man, won't tackle, really is a man who is scared of his own shadow.
I was fearing the worst after this, but turns out he's been really good (van La Parra). He's said he'd like to extend the loan; otherwise tomorrow night will be his last game.

Looks like he's playing with real confidence and it always seems likely we'll create something whenever he gets the ball.

[phonics]

Schneiderlin starts and United get a clean sheet and dominate large periods of attacking play. I'm shocked.

[Kikó]

If Matic could finish...

[phonics]

If the goals were an inch wider...

[Toby]

He'd have needed a few feet on top.

[Reg]

Naismith probably going to Norwich for 8m. http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/dec/29/steven-naismith-join-norwich-everton

Would be a decent transfer for him, I'd be itching to play first team football at 29.

[Giggles]

I haven't seen much of them this season but any time I seen them last year he was easily their best player. Who has he lost out to?

[Waffdon]

He's got a ridiculous record against the "top" sides for a relatively decent player.

[Weaver]

I haven't seen much of them this season but any time I seen them last year he was easily their best player. Who has he lost out to?

Barkley's sewn up the position behind Lukaku, and then there's Deulofeu, Koné, Mirallas and Lennon for the two winger positions.

I think Pienaar and McGeady are still there, too.

[mugbull]

There's no way Kone and Lennon are better than Naismith.

[Weaver]

Naismith's 30 now, so it's probably more that getting £8m for him now is better than binning him in a season or two anyway.

From Sky Sports' twitter:
"BREAKING: @FCLorientOff say they have acceped a bid from @SunderlandAFC for defender Lamine Koné. More here: skysports.tv/LvyJSH #SSNHQ"

Any good? I miss Gil :(

[Sam]

I was fearing the worst after this, but turns out he's been really good (van La Parra). He's said he'd like to extend the loan; otherwise tomorrow night will be his last game.

Looks like he's playing with real confidence and it always seems likely we'll create something whenever he gets the ball.

Yeah, he was like that for us at the start :p.

I have a feeling he'll be back to us, though he won't get ahead of Jordan Graham on current form.

[Bernanke]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/barcelona-register-77-new-players-7114902

77. :D

[Manc]

Cruyff will be turning in his hospital bed.

[Trancemeister]

Leicester have signed Demarai Gray from Birmingham

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Last I heard, Bayern wanted him.

I guess the lure of the Premiership title was greater than the Bundesliga one.

[Raoul Duke]

Leicester have signed Demarai Gray from Birmingham

I reckon that's a cracking signing - I've not seen him, but he's had good write-ups and been linked with some decent clubs. I think it's pretty savvy to start stocking up on youngsters whilst your stock is high.

Claudio must play FM :drool:

[TG09]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/barcelona-register-77-new-players-7114902

77. :D

Damn, will anyone of them get to play for the first team in the next few years? Arsenal might end up buying a couple soon.

[Amigo]

http://www.sport-english.com/en/news/barca/barcelona-sign-former-player-eidur-gudjohnsens-son-daniel-tristan-gudjohnsen-4292948

:drool:

[Sam]

So, appears Leon Clarke's (of Coventry, Wolves and arguing with Paolo Di Canio fame) father was killed in one of my locals.

http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2016/01/04/pictured-wednesfield-new-years-eve-pub-murder-victim-and-father-of-former-wolves-striker-2/

Not sure where that belongs, but it's bizarre albeit tragic.

[John]

I think Lee mentioned Demarai Gray as one of the players he hoped Leicester would sign in that half season thread.

ITK.

[ScousePig]

I reckon that's a cracking signing - I've not seen him, but he's had good write-ups and been linked with some decent clubs. I think it's pretty savvy to start stocking up on youngsters whilst your stock is high.

Claudio must play FM :drool:

Which other youngsters have they signed?

Not sure it's so much savvy as it is common sense; more attractive proposition = try to sign better players.

[Byron]

Apparently Newcastle and Sunderland want Carroll. Be a shame to let him go, but I don't think he'll ever be properly fit again, so it might be good to cut and run while we can and use the funds to go for another striker.

[Raoul Duke]

Which other youngsters have they signed?

Not sure it's so much savvy as it is common sense; more attractive proposition = try to sign better players.

None that I know of - I meant more in an overall strategic sense: sign young whippersnappers whilst you're on the up (for cheap) and then reap the benefit as they develop.

Seems more sensible than spunking your Premiership money on journeymen chancers with a few caps.

[Sam]

Gray is a classy young player, has the potential to go far.

Can't understand Blues though, reject £6mil for him the summer then stick a £3.75mil release clause in his contract. Genius.

[leedsrevolution]

Gray absolutely ripped Leeds a new one last season. So quick.

[Weaver]

Sky Sports News HQ @SkySportsNewsHQ
Sky Sources: Watford in advanced talks to sign Fiorentina midfielder Mario Suarez.
Updates on #SSNHQ

He's good, isn't he? Upgrade on Ben Watson anyway.

[Davgooner]

They'll be fucked anyway once we knab Deeney.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Apparently Zidane fancies a bit of Hazard, and we will be swapping him for Gareth Bale, who is 'devastated' about the sacking of Sir Rafa Benitez.

Should buy Ozil instead I reckon.

[SincereTheRebel]

Ive read bale is upset over the sacking of rafa and wants assurances from zidane about his future. Wasn't it zidane who was ball gobbling bale claiming while he was at tottenham, he was the best player in europe.

[Josh]

They'll be fucked anyway once we knab Deeney.

Who is paid to make this shit up? Deeney is too good for Arsenal anyway.

Us signing Mario Suarez is an interesting one. Behrami has been shitting it up when he's appeared as a sub recently so seems we are looking for a replacement.

Would rather another striker and a winger though plz.

[Max Power]

De Jong coming in to replace Inler who failed to replace Cambiasso. I'll take that, always felt he was an underrated player. Could offer something a bit different to our midfield, mostly violence, but thats cool.

[Kikó]

Bale doesn't care about "Rafa", he just misses home.

[SincereTheRebel]

De jong to leicester if true, is a great signing.

[Magic]

We've signed the brilliant Bridcutt on loan for the rest of the season. :)

[Jimmy Floyd]

De Jong to Leicester is an unreal signing. Claudio's pull :drool:

[John]

We've confirmed Josh Windass for the end of the season pending a medical to be conducted tomorrow. Any of the lower league bods know much about him?

[SincereTheRebel]

So pep has announced the reason he isnt staying at bayern is because he wants to manage in the prem league. Inform tobias to make a thread and poll for likely destinations.

[mugbull]

Every German newspaper has been saying City since time immemorial.

[Toby]

I can't think of many things that interest me less than where Guardiola will go next, so make your own bloody poll.

[Adamski]

We've confirmed Josh Windass for the end of the season pending a medical to be conducted tomorrow. Any of the lower league bods know much about him?

Matt Crooks also coming on a pre-contact from Accrington Stanley.

[Adamski]

Looks like 400k gets them both now John

[Weaver]

Jann Kirschoff of Bayern Munich had a medical at Sunderland this afternoon. £1m allegedly, as he's out of contact in Germany this summer.

Haven't seen him play before, but at least Sam Allardyce is focusing on the area of the pitch which needs the most work.

[Adamski]

http://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/windass-crooks-sign-agreements/

Would expect them both to sign in the next few days for small fees.

[John]

We don't need either at the moment, but if The Hat wants them in to create some continuity going into next season then I'll trust him on it.

Hopefully Windass is a proper striker. Waghorn is very good at picking off goals while he's marauding all over the place, but someone who will stay central would be lovely.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Windass is a lung-busting midfielder. I only know this because I follow cricket's David Lloyd on twitter who is a Stanley fan and always raving on about them.

[Adamski]

Hearing Clark is leaving for Barnsley so could do with another in although maybe that's Forrester.

Crooks is also a DM so would be good to get him in there and move Halliday further forward.

Probably forward planning for Law leaving though.

[Waffdon]

Rangers :drool:

[Kikó]

Adnan is coming back early from his loan on our request.

[Adamski]

Rangers :drool:

Shame we won't play you next year :cool:

[John]

Send him up, Kiko. We'll teach him how to play proper Tiki-Taka stuff in time for 'Pep' taking over.

I may have been imagining it because of his dad, but I could swear a few of the early articles I read about our interest in Windass had him down as a striker.

Having a proper defensive midfielder in there would be nice, but presumably that would leave Halliday playing on the right, which isn't ideal. He certainly shouldn't be in ahead of McKay on the left.

[Waffdon]

Shame we won't play you next year :cool:

:cool:

[Adamski]

Yeah I must admit I'm sure I read that too about Windass

Maybe a midfield three of Crooks, Halliday and Holt?

[randomlegend]

Adnan is coming back early from his loan on our request.

He's (clearly) not set the world alight for us, but I think he looks like he has potential and I'd rather we gave players like him a chance than spending another £30m on someone who doesn't bring any significant improvement.

I also think Lingard is a very good player in the making.

[Kikó]

Very good is probably pushing it. Looks like he could be an Ashley Young type winger if he puts his head down but even that might beyond him.

AJ needs something to kick start his career as he's been dire since Poor David left.

[Jeet]

Arsenal have launched a £44.6m bid for Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
That is according to reliable Spanish journalist Kike Marin who was the first reporter to break Arsenal's deal for Alexis Sanchez two years ago.

[Davgooner]

That extra £600k will seal the deal.

[Mazuuurk]

Really wonder if he's worth that. He seems just like the sort of striker that's very well suited to one type of play, in his case, direct play with many through balls - which isn't really how Arsenal play most of the time. I looked at a clip of his goals and most seem like either he didn't hit the ball quite as he intended (a lot of shin-hits etc) or he scores tap-ins. You never know with those sort of players, sometimes they are brilliant goalscorers, sometimes they are just having a good season and more importantly the players around them.

Besides - is a Striker really the top priority for Arsenal?

[Charlie]

When you've just got Giroud, then yeah.

[simon]

Isn't he just a foreign Theo Walcott? What's the point?

[Lewis]

If Arsenal don't buy anybody, and then they blow the title, I reckon I'll pull a sixty hour shift on Arsenal Twitter.

[phonics]

He seems to play like Danny Wellbeck (who appears to have been out for a year with a 'bruised knee' wtf?) to me.

We've got Mo Salah's little brother from Basel apparently. You'd expect me to have the inside track on him but that would mean watching the heavily misnomed Superleague and that's not happening. So ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Mazuuurk]

When you've just got Giroud, then yeah.

Well, that's the thing I think, that while Giroud and Walcott aren't world beaters, I'm struggling to think of many players Arsenal could buy that would actualy be much better. Higuain, is the only one I can think of.


Isn't he just a foreign Theo Walcott? What's the point?

Yeah that's what he looks like to me as well.


If Arsenal don't buy anybody, and then they blow the title, I reckon I'll pull a sixty hour shift on Arsenal Twitter.

Definitely think they will unless they do buy anyone, but I reckon what they need is cover at the back, someone who can be decent when Coquelin is out (doubt this Eleny is enough...) and someone who is a little better than Mertesacker, really.

If Koscielny would get injured for more than a game or two, Arsenal are completely fucked.

[Pepe]

Giroud. :cool:

[Reg]

Why do Arsenal need a striker? Since Giroud reclaimed his place from Walcott he's had a great record.

[Jeet]

Theo to be shafted back to the right as Ox is shite.

Doesn't look like a good finisher. Should just bid for Remy.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Aubameyang would fail (ish) here. In Germany he benefits from the gentlemen's agreement that every team has to play with a suicidal high line and defenders all have to take enormous risks on the ball, leaving vast lebensraum in behind which plays to his strengths. If you want to break down a dogged West Brom he won't help you much.

[Weaver]

"Warnock was a manager here, and he didn't do very well, so I'm not really interested in his opinion. Charlie Austin is of no interest to us."

Pardew has ruled Palace out of moving for Austin there. I was sure they'd fancy him.

[Reg]

I think every team other than the top seven ish should try and get him.

... So that rules out Palace, West Ham and Leicester. Long may the fun continue. Although I could do without Palace being in there.

[Reg]

Roma's kid Sadiq scored for the second time yesterday. Expect rumours of £70m bids shortly.

[Bob Sacamano]

Holloway's comments on Zidane :face:

[Disco]

Well tell us what they were you big tease.

[Bob Sacamano]

Ian Holloway says “his eyes popped out of his head” when he saw that Zinedine Zidane was appointed Real Madrid manager.

Speaking in his weekly prediction column, he used the comparison of Teddy Sheringham’s venture into management to make his point: “You look at former great players like Zinedine Zidane getting the Real Madrid job and it makes my eyes pop out of my head.

"Just because he was a world-class player, should he automatically get a job at one of the biggest clubs on the planet? His reputation and honours have carried him through that management door. In comparison, Teddy Sheringham, who was also a genius of a footballer, is starting down the leagues and earning his stripes.”

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Factual proof that Sheringham is better than Zidane.

[randomlegend]

If it's based on how good a player they were Scholes will have to start out simultaneously managing Brazil, Barcelona and a world 11 in an intergalactic cup competition.

[Lewis]

'Madrid make me laugh, though, because, you know, it's their interfering. It's their timing. Going on about they want some top manager. He's just getting started. What's more important: you, Florentino, with your Barcelona rivalry, or earning your stripes. Ooh, I dunno. Ooh, what would Teddy Sheringham say? I think we know.'

[Reg]

Seeing Sheringham live was one of the highlights of the Withdean days. Such a classy player.

Probably not Zidane level.

[Reg]

We've signed Anthony Knockaert from Standard Liege. Undisclosed fee (boo) but believed to be our record signing. What's he like, Lee and Max Power?

[Lee]

Capable of being very good at that level and may develop into a decent top flight player. Lacks a bit of discipline but can be fantastic to watch. Very good technique and lots of flair. Great attitude in terms of relationship with the fans too. He's a hard worker but desspite the ability can flatter to deceive on occassion. Likes a dive in the box. His biggest weakness is his lack of pace and he isn't the best at tracking back. He's a very good signing for a club wanting promotion to the top flight.

[Max Power]

His likeabilty papers over a few of his flaws but as Lee says; good Championship player.

[Reg]

Cheers. :thbup: Wasn't expecting the lack of pace, hopefully that won't be a problem - we tend to play with a high tempo.

[Josh]

He's a diving cheating wanker who cries. Bet Lee and Max can't guess who I support!

[Weaver]

Reading, having sold Nick Blackman to Derby this week, are going after Conor Washington as his replacement.

Peterborough's profit/loss on strikers must be crackers - Mackail-Smith, Aaron McClean, Gayle, Assombalonga, Tomlin and potentially Washington now.

[Jeet]

Bournemouth will complete a £10m deal to sign Benik Afobe from Wolves, this weekend. [Telegraph]

[Reg]

He was good against us, but wouldn't have thought he'd be worth 10m. I guess everyone is.

[Magic]

They wanted Cook for 10m too.

[Sam]

Yay, we can pay the wages till the end of the season. Fuck football.

[Sam]

And that's Afobe gone, fire sale begins.

£12mil of which a grand total of zero will be reinvest but rather used to balance the books and give our CEO a much deserved bonus.

On the funny side there is a queue of about twenty outside Molineux looking for season tickets refunds :D.

[Magic]

Hopefully that's their interest in Cook finished.

[Sam]

On the flip side, Twitter stating we are getting Zach Clough from Bolton. That's not a bad replacement by any means, kid seems talented from the twice I've seen us against them.

[Manc]

Is that Bolton conceding defeat then? Them and Wigan languishing in league one will be bonkers.