Douglas Luiz - back at Juventus

[Dave]

Porro had Maatsen in his pocket. He's a bit of a headless chicken at times.

I was surprised about how Maatsen lost out to Kolo Muani for pace pretty much every time they ran at each other. Defensive solidity has never been his strongest suit, but I didn't think many wingers would be beating him in a foot-race.

[brontebilly]

Porro had Maatsen in his pocket. He's a bit of a headless chicken at times.

I was surprised about how Maatsen lost out to Kolo Muani for pace pretty much every time they ran at each other. Defensive solidity has never been his strongest suit, but I didn't think many wingers would be beating him in a foot-race.

Muani was far too physically strong for Maatsen. Bullied him. Rogers no help defensively as usual. I've been wanting Maatsen back in the team over Digne but he blew that opportunity.

[Steve67]

Maatsen was woeful against Tottenham, not in his own to be fair, but easily his worst game yet. Defensively inept. Saying that, had linked ok with Sancho in other games and was a bit surprised Sancho, equally as crap, played on the right instead.

[Percy McCarthy]

My assumption with Malen was he was on 140k+ a week and Tammy was on a lot less. We couldn't end the loan deals early so had to get Roma to pay for those wages instead. Of course that falls over on maths as soon as you realise we had to pay Bailey's money again as we had to take him back for the deal to all work.

It’s been reported that Roma paid Bailey’s wages and his amortisation for the season despite sending him back.

[Somniloquism]

I hadn't heard that. Are we paying anything towards Malen or are they also covering all his wages as well?

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I hadn't heard that. Are we paying anything towards Malen or are they also covering all his wages as well?

Roma are paying them plus a €2m loan fee.
What I didn't realise is should Roma not qualify for Champions League or Europa League, there is no obligation to buy. The Conference League doesn't appear to be a clause in the contract.

Right now it looks like Roma will qualify for the Europa League, two points clear of Como. Damn!

[Dave]

I hadn't heard that. Are we paying anything towards Malen or are they also covering all his wages as well?

Roma are paying them plus a €2m loan fee.
What I didn't realise is should Roma not qualify for Champions League or Europa League, there is no obligation to buy. The Conference League doesn't appear to be a clause in the contract.

Right now it looks like Roma will qualify for the Europa League, two points clear of Como. Damn!

Pretty sure that the obligation isn't going to matter. They'll still take up the option to buy him either way.

[Percy McCarthy]

^^ Yeah, I think they’d be keen. He’s scored about 12 for them hasn’t he?

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I hadn't heard that. Are we paying anything towards Malen or are they also covering all his wages as well?

Roma are paying them plus a €2m loan fee.
What I didn't realise is should Roma not qualify for Champions League or Europa League, there is no obligation to buy. The Conference League doesn't appear to be a clause in the contract.

Right now it looks like Roma will qualify for the Europa League, two points clear of Como. Damn!

Pretty sure that the obligation isn't going to matter. They'll still take up the option to buy him either way.

Of course they will, they'd be mad not to.

[eamonn]

^^ Yeah, I think they’d be keen. He’s scored about 12 for them hasn’t he?

They love him and they'll save on not having that injury-prone, Irish pisshead Evan Ferguson on their books next season.

[Smithy]

^^ Yeah, I think they’d be keen. He’s scored about 12 for them hasn’t he?

He's 5th in the Serie A top scorer charts, and only 5 goals behind top scorer Martinez at Inter, despite only playing half the season.  There is absolutely no doubt whatsoever they will buy him, unless their own FFP situation prevents it - but I don't think that's a factor.

[Somniloquism]

And if rumours are to be believed, they might buy him to immediately sell him at a profit.

[Smithy]

And if rumours are to be believed, they might buy him to immediately sell him at a profit.

That would be annoying, but completely understandable.  Given his scoring record in England and now Italy, he's worth much more than Roma will be paying.  The question is, who is going to give them the £40m+ is would require?

[Dave]

And if rumours are to be believed, they might buy him to immediately sell him at a profit.

That would be annoying, but completely understandable.  Given his scoring record in England and now Italy, he's worth much more than Roma will be paying.  The question is, who is going to give them the £40m+ is would require?

As I put in his thread t'other day:

Roma are ready to exercise an option to buy Donyell Malen from Aston Villa for 25m euros (£21.6m), with the 27-year-old Netherlands winger having scored 12 goals for the Italian side since signing on loan in January. (Voetbal International via Express & Star), external

However, Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle United are also keen to sign Malen, whose transfer fee could be as high as 30m euros (£25.9m). (Corriere Dello Sport via Manchester Evening News)

[Smithy]

And if rumours are to be believed, they might buy him to immediately sell him at a profit.

That would be annoying, but completely understandable.  Given his scoring record in England and now Italy, he's worth much more than Roma will be paying.  The question is, who is going to give them the £40m+ is would require?

As I put in his thread t'other day:

Roma are ready to exercise an option to buy Donyell Malen from Aston Villa for 25m euros (£21.6m), with the 27-year-old Netherlands winger having scored 12 goals for the Italian side since signing on loan in January. (Voetbal International via Express & Star), external

However, Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle United are also keen to sign Malen, whose transfer fee could be as high as 30m euros (£25.9m). (Corriere Dello Sport via Manchester Evening News)

I can't see them flipping him for just 5m euros?  Not given that he's been a 'success' and is popular with the fan base.  When you look at how much strikers like Wissa went for last summer, then post-Italy, Donyell is now a £40m player, surely?  Just a shame we won't see the benefit (from the player, or the revenue).