Summer transfer, gossip, speculation thread

[Diablo]

Proof in the eating and all that, but.... I’m struggling to think of a summer where I was so convinced about our transfer activity. Every one makes sense. None feels like a serious compromise. To overhaul a squad so fully and still have fans on message boards so united behind the plan must be a rare thing in football.

yes agreed

it’s all a bit to perfect in a way

Is it like the football equivalent of a honeymoon?

[themossman]

Yeah I definitely feel like that. Irrationally suspicious about how positive I’m feeling!

On the other hand, while there are always uncertainties in football, I reckon with transfers it’s usually the bleeding obvious things that cause problems. Oh, that out of contract has-been with a dodgy knee and a lousy attitude didn’t work out? Those French players in key positions who have been thrown together under a halfwit manager aren’t settling? That streaky player who likes a pie of two doesn’t like training, the one that’s got an attitude problem but if he can recapture his form of 2 years ago etc etc. You look back and realise we were taking a gamble that we could defy the likeliest outcome.

You can pick holes in some of the recent signings individually - Wesley probably the obvious one. But you really have to go out of your way to do it.

[Luffbralion]

Completely agree. This close season has been brilliant. We have not had to endure the endless sagas (Maguire to Man U) we have not buckled to unrealistic prices (Webster and Butland) or players who were not fully committed (Phillips). We have clearly had more than one name for each position and scouted and analysed each prospective player meticulously. The whole process has been focused, strategic and professionally executed. We seem to have people running the club who definitely know how to get things done in a proper manner.

Of course, any transfer can go wrong but these new players look technically accomplished, eager to develop and reasonably priced in today's market. My only (slight) reservation is whether we would need a couple of older heads and that is why I welcome Tom Heaton. He performed heroics for Burnley last year and, by all accounts, was a vocal figure in organising at the back. This can be crucial for a goalkeeper.

Just waiting for these final announcements and a new striker. What a summer!

[cdbearsfan]

A short striker a bit like Aguero.

Hmmm... how about Aguero?

[KRS]

Wasn’t Pep trying to move him on last summer? Aguero is still an amazing player.

[Holy Trinity]

A short striker a bit like Aguero.

Hmmm... how about Aguero?

I would eat Rick whollas ass with a spoon in order to sign aguero but we are nowhere near that level yet unfortunately!

[sid1964]

Also I think the £200k a week may be a bit much for us to pay in wages!

I would be surprised if we sign anyone else.

[Smirker]

I believe we will sign another striker. Not sure what to make of the rumour we are going after an ambitious big name that will break our transfer record. Maybe we really are going after Icardi 😎

[ktvillan]

Alan Nixon - Villa have made new bid of £8 mill rising to £10 for Heaton.

For a 33 year old (even if a keeper) with one year left on his contract?

Hmmm.

I wouldn’t believe Alan Nixon if he pointed to bright yellow thing in the sky and told me “young man it’s called the sun”

Is it the "young man" bit you would find hardest to swallow Toronto?

[JUAN PABLO]

Bruce might be interested in Axel for Noocastle


FFS

Where you playing him Bruce?    Right Back ..

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I very much doubt Axel would be interested in Bruce and Noocastle.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Still being linked with Luyindama at Gala and Baptiste Santamaria of Angers. How many Defender/Defensive Midfielders do we need?

[jwarry]

Sheffield paying £20m for McBurnie! Worlds gone mad

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Sheffield paying £20m for McBurnie! Worlds gone mad

WTF are they going to do with a polar research ship?

[paul_e]

The shorter striker thing is interesting. Was Maxwel Cornet one of the names mentioned? I heard a rumour a while back of us having a scout watch Lyon 7-8 times last year (from a friend who lives over there and met the guy at a couple of games) but I never mentioned it because there were links to one of their midfielders at the time (Tousart) so I'd assumed it was to watch him. Cornet is the guy he's raves about though so that would be an great link (although he's been linked to Liverpool a fair bit).