Stickied Transfer Rumours 2018/19

[Bilo]

An odd post. On this logic we shouldn't criticise the club over anything bar going bankrupt.

Precisely, so get on board and start posting about how amazing Koulibaly is because he's the one we're gonna end up getting and he's basically Sakho.

 

[Jamie_SFC]

I reckon that if van Dijk ends up staying (he could still go to City or Chelsea), then it will hurt Southampton more than it will gain them.

He's one player, a good one. But they're passing up on money that should be equivalent of about 40-50% of their non-transfer turnover. But more, their whole business model is based on players viewing them as a stepping stone. And I mean that for no disrespect, we too sell players like Alonso, Suarez and Sterling when they want to leave. We do, because if we don't we'll never be able to attract a player who's ambition is to play at a level above ours. Southampton will face this problem if they start to hold on to players, and it's the bitter truth. If they force any player good enough to leave to stay, that will hurt them a lot in their pursuit of talent. Southampton's main attraction is that they are a great stepping stone for younger talented players, like Dortmund, to some extent like us. This will hurt that significantly and the Southampton board knows that. I can't see him staying for that reason alone, as young talented players will instead go to any given club where they feel confident they'll be let go of if they play well enough.

Again, I mean this as no disrespect but Gabbiadini isn't playing up front for Southampton to stay there for the rest of his career. Truth is, Coutinho isn't playing for us to stay there for the rest of his career either. When they can they want to go, and stopping them costs more than it gains. It's the bitter truth, so VVD will end up at Chelsea or City in my opinion and when Barca come calling next summer, provided Coutinho take that last step, we will let him go as well. Because we have no bloody choice and neither do Southampton.

Oh, don't worry I know it's likely he will still leave this summer, I'm just glad it won't be for Liverpool. There is the off chance we could do to him what we did to Schneiderlin and Wanyama - Promise him a transfer next Summer, his value isn't going to go down. Should we go down the route that we went down with Morgan and Victor then I would hope VvD would accept the clubs wishes - The same club that has spent the last 5 months rehabilitating him from his injury.

Anyway, more coming out about our complaint, says we've got support from other Premier League clubs and our favoured Journo from the Telegraph is saying we've got evidence to back our claims up - As if Liverpool backtracking isn't enough evidence.

It would be pointless for the Premier League to have these rules if they think Liverpool apologising settles the matter.

 

[HarvSFC]

They been playing well for you this season have they? We forced Suarez to stay for a year as well, but that was literally because he thought Barca would come the summer after instead. Right he was, and it goes it show: it wasn't really our choice.

Almost every club in the world is a stepping stone in a food chain. Forcing players to stay happens very rarely for a reason. I don't know, you can go right ahead I guess. You'll have done well should you keep him for another season, it's not impossible, but that's up to VVD and not to you in all fairness. It's just the way it goes.

No, but I assume we're looking to do the same with VVD as we did with them. You said we wouldn't be able to attract the top players due to this tactic, but it's one we've used before and will continue to do so.

A strong reason why you got both Mane and Clyne from us in recent windows was because of their contract situation. We don't have that problem with VVD for now.

 

[SALTIRE]

Jesus christ.

Give a fuck about transfers, we we hours from being liquidated and seven years later we're competing with City, finishing above both United and Arsenal. They're gonna have to shove a lot of Balotelli's down our throats before it becomes even reasonable to consider their transfer failings to come near what they have done for this club. I'm not saying they're faultless, but this kind of fan logic annoys me so very much. We've moved up twenty levels from where we were when they took over and you have a go at them for this? Let it go, shit happens, tomorrow the club will still exist.

I have been patient with FSG and have defended them here over the years, and very recently over on another site I use, where people were posting FSG-out without thinking about it. I said that everything is in place now, whilst over the years we've not had that for one thing or another; and that overall I thought they have been good owners. I said, give them this window, we have Klopp now, a clear plan and a way forward and progress has been made. Lets give them the benefit of the doubt and revisit this when the window is done to see if they have backed the manager and helped raise our level on the pitch.

Yet the hard facts of the matter are that since they have come in, we've fluked a league cup win (our one trophy in 11 years now), we concentrate too much on signing youth and potential, and not enough proven experienced winners; and then baulk over a few mill here and there on players that will genuinely push us on and perhaps bring about a title shot. So far this window, the signs are not good.

Absolutely this. Remember Deli Ali? We fucked around over a few measly million (it might not have even been that) and he ended up going to Spurs. There are numerous examples if this since FSG bought us. We can't even blame Ian Ayre any more.

Indeed. FSG told Deli Alli to get lost when he wanted £3k/week wages, so Spurs got him and now look at him. Then there's been Mkhitaryan, Konoplyanka, Costa, Sanchez, Salah previously, Dembele, Gotze, etc etc. I defended the lack of signing those players as they have had better options elsewhere; but there is no excuse here, and unless the signings we need are made soon on recognised players instead of youth (we managed to get Solanke done, oh yes!!), then we'll be no further forward and the likes of Utd and Chelsea will rub our faces in the dirt yet again when either of them win the league this season and next, particularly if VVD goes to one of them or City and shows just what we'll be missing.

 

[JimJams]

Precisely, so get on board and start posting about how amazing Koulibaly is because he's the one we're gonna end up getting and he's basically Sakho.

Why cos hes big n black? Hes fuck all like Sakho.

 

[SALTIRE]

Why cos hes big n black? Hes fuck all like Sakho.

Have you seen him much JimJams? I've watched a couple of Koulibaly games without being overly impressed either way, but on other places he seems highly regarded.

 

[Stevencc]

https://streamable.com/azsxi

Sign this c***.

 

[Bilo]

Why cos hes big n black? Hes fuck all like Sakho.

No I compared them because Koulibaly like Sakho has a great top level and an amazing bottom and they both go back and forth. Koulibaly is slightly better from what I've seen, and heard especially, but let's not forget it wasn't Sakho's performances on the pitch that made him unwanted here.

Either way I'm struggling to see an improvement on Lovren/Matip for now so we'll at best get someone who's not a drop in quality when one or the other can't play, which was 25 league games last season without Europe. I'd personally want Davinson Sanchez, he looks class but I've only seen him in the Europa.

 

[JimJams]

No I compared them because Koulibaly like Sakho has ... an amazing bottom.

Priorities. Bilo haz um.

 

[Renegade]

Being linked heavily with Griezmann and Lukaku and then spending £60+ million on Morata.

 

[Benji]

Diego Costa has been told to do one by Conte. China seems off now, he can't go to Atletico. So where?

 

[Renegade]

Jose, do it. Please. Please for the love of god, do it.

 

[Benji]

Jose, do it. Please. Please for the love of god, do it.

Isn't he one of Jose's rats?

 

[Renegade]

Isn't he one of Jose's rats?

Oh yeah, shame.

Wenger, this is your chance. Liverpool and Arsenal should both be looking at the possibility of getting a discounted world class striker for a season or two. Arsenal have been crying out for this opportunity for about a decade.

 

[Bilo]

What's the actual issue with Costa at Chelsea anyway, why won't they keep him?

 

[Stevencc]

He had a falling out with backroom staff members at Chelsea earlier in the year but I don't think it's that.

Perhaps Conte thinks Chelsea can do better and Costa isn't willing to be a bench option.

 

[Bilo]

He had a falling out with backroom staff members at Chelsea earlier in the year but I don't think it's that.

Perhaps Conte thinks Chelsea can do better and Costa isn't willing to be a bench option.

Yeah it just seems weird. But if it keeps you lot from getting Lukaku then well enough I guess, though I don't condone that kind of transfer policy.

 

[G.B]

He demanded a move to China in January didn't he? Then he was talking about moving to China again as recently as May. Tried to get a transfer back to Atletico last summer too. Conte don't play that shit.

Lukaku or Morata to Chelsea then.

 

[shane]

Is it widely accepted that assuming Chelsea, City and Utd have the same money to pay the transfer fee and wages of any given player, the player's choice is Chelsea, Utd, City in that order?

I only ask because when talking transfers with some guys at work, they all say much the same as G.B...

 

[Jamie_SFC]

Seems like we've now accepted Liverpool's apology and that is the end of the matter in the eyes of the Premier League. Pathetic.

I still wouldn't be surprised to see him end up there.

 

[shane]

Seems like we've now accepted Liverpool's apology and that is the end of the matter in the eyes of the Premier League. Pathetic.

I still wouldn't be surprised to see him end up there.

I doubt it. Both clubs would look like mugs.

 

[Bilo]

Seems like we've now accepted Liverpool's apology and that is the end of the matter in the eyes of the Premier League. Pathetic.

I still wouldn't be surprised to see him end up there.

I can't see him coming here now to be honest, like Shane said. No club has covered themselves in glory in this saga. The only ones I can find in our camp still believing that VVD could end up here are the regular optimists. If anything, I can see a silent agreement that VVD stays for one more season then comes to us. But even that seems far fetched.

City and Chelsea will still pay good money, and VVD will still move to them even if he rather had moved to us.

I don't even know what to make of it anymore. I don't want him more now than I did before. Just steer clear please.

 

[SALTIRE]

I can't see him coming here now to be honest, like Shane said. No club has covered themselves in glory in this saga. The only ones I can find in our camp still believing that VVD could end up here are the regular optimists. If anything, I can see a silent agreement that VVD stays for one more season then comes to us. But even that seems far fetched.

City and Chelsea will still pay good money, and VVD will still move to them even if he rather had moved to us.

I don't even know what to make of it anymore. I don't want him more now than I did before. Just steer clear please.

Who'd you want to come in at CB this window now that this has spectacularly (but not altogether surprisingly) went tits up? As we are needing to bolster that left-sided CB position for certain.

 

[Bilo]

Who'd you want to come in at CB this window now that this has spectacularly (but not altogether surprisingly) went tits up? As we are needing to bolster that left-sided CB position for certain.

I don't like playing this game because this stuff is incredibly complex. When you scout a player it's way, way more than just his talents on the football field. Like how is he as a person, how will he fit into the group? What issues has he had previously, can they happen again for us? Will he adapt well to living in England? You scout the person as much as you scout the footballer and that's why football manager is so simple; you only scout the footballer and buy the best player.

But looking at centre backs who I'd definitely want to look at from the very narrow footballing perspective I've already mentioned Davinson Sanchez. I live in Amsterdam, I speak to Ajax fans every day and they're nuts about him, for good reason. He could be incredible and if given a choice between him and VVD, I'd go for the former every day of the week. He's basically where VVD was two years ago, except younger than VVD was at the time and better than VVD was at the time. Furthermore he'd save us a lot of money that could maybe go into meeting an asking price in the future, just for the sake of it. Just once. But contrary to you, I consider Lovren/Matip as a fine first choice pairing, we just need to improve on who comes in when one or the other can't play.

Talking proper first team signings, one to displace Lovren, it's difficult to gauge really. de Vrij at Lazio is highly rated in Italy, Manolas at Roma could probably be got if we don't buy Salah (they have FFP issues). Then there's the kid at Bilbao, Laporte, but having seen him more than a couple of times I'm starting to wonder if he's a bit overrated. Good technical ability, good with the ball, out of position every other attack. Maybe I caught him on bad days.

I threw Koulibaly into the hat earlier and I can see that happening to be fair. When he's good he's fucking amazing and I mean that, but he's incredibly inconsistent. If the latter can be worked on, he's another I'd have above VVD.

Enough football manager. Whichever of the mentioned players will probably be fine if they tick all the other boxes that you, I and JimJam's stats have no idea about.

 

[SALTIRE]

contrary to you, I consider Lovren/Matip as a fine first choice pairing,

I like Lovren and he is fine when asked to defend, but he has those games where he'll think he's Beckenbauer and cost Liverpool. Having said that, stats-wise he and Matip as a pairing have only lost one game in the PL I believe which is promising; however he seems poor on second balls and a lot of goals against have come down to losing the path of the second ball, or not being quick enough to pick it up and he is worse than Matip for sure there.

I certainly want to keep him, and he'd be a great option for third-choice CB behind Matip and A.N Other, but these defensive issues need to start to be addressed this term, its costing the side too much now.

 

[Stocky]

Liverpool stupid rather than anything sinister over this tapping up stuff. Every club do it. Liverpool have pulled their own trousers down and Southampton have been bullied enough in the past by Liverpool to not oblige and pull them back up., so they can deliver a little blow of their own. About the gist of it isn't it?

I rate Van Dijk for what it's worth. He'll be a good player wherever he's at. Looks like it could to the Abu Dhabi Manchester branch. They've got moving on transfers very quick and early this summer. They look they mean business.

United, not quite sure what their after really? They need a centre forward to replace Ibrahimovic of course. A creative winger would also be required. I'm not sure what players fit the bill that they can get for the latter. Sanchez would be the ideal but there's no chance of that. Bale isn't happening. As for the number 9, opinions and all that but I think Lukaku is a bit of a donkey. His touch is woeful and his off the ball movement not good enough. Morata from what I've seen looks like he has a bit of everything for a number 9 but not clinical. I think he'd be the better bet.

Lukaku brings me on to Chelsea and this Costa thing. There seems to be a general admission, looking at the goalscoring charts, that Lukaku replacing Costa is just going to some seemless transition where nobody notices the difference. Not for me. Mentioned Lukaku's deficiencies above- Costa adds more than goals to Chelsea. He's a fucking nuisance, occupies centre halves all game which helps Hazard, Pedro etc. I don't think that "swap" will go as swimmingly as being made out. I think Chelsea will be weaker in that area as a general attacking force.

Who else? Arsenal? Well they'll be treading water with incomings and outgoings and hoping they'll be able to muster themselves back in the top 4 again. And it's possible. Their squad is decent. Never title winners as we know, especially with Wenger.

Spurs. About keeping hold of players really isn't it? Walker looks off to City. I've heard a few murmurs of Eric Dier to United aswell up here but who knows. They could do with adding some pace to their attack. I was surprised Zaha signed a contract- thought he'd fit them like a glove.

Have a good summer lads. Off to get some sun in a couple of days which is a relief as a) the weather is fucking horrendous for early June even by Manchester's standards. and b) isn't politics and the general arguing and bleating doing everybodies fucking nut in?

 

[Stevencc]

"Take a picture of me throwing a strop".

 

[Jamie_SFC]

 

[Stevencc]

Telegraph.

 

[Bilo]

So basically he's spoken to you before you agreed a fee?

BAN THEM! BAN THEM NOW