2023 Summer transfer window - hopes, needs, expectations and rumours.

[Brazilian Villain]

Heard somewhere that it was a record fee fur an Itslian player.  Is that right?

Yes, according to the BBC when it was announced.

[Risso]

Zola apart has any Italian striker made a go of it here, my recollection is that most of them have been invariably bobbins. Let’s hope Tonali is of the same ilk.

Ravenelli one season. Carbone and DiCanio did ok. They haven't had many great ones in the last 20 years regardless since SerieA lost its shine.

Balotelli was mental but did OK, won the league and FA Cup with Man City. Di Canio was a very good player.

[Toronto Villa]

Zola apart has any Italian striker made a go of it here, my recollection is that most of them have been invariably bobbins. Let’s hope Tonali is of the same ilk.

Ravenelli one season. Carbone and DiCanio did ok. They haven't had many great ones in the last 20 years regardless since SerieA lost its shine.

Balotelli was mental but did OK, won the league and FA Cup with Man City. Di Canio was a very good player.

And a fucking fascist twat 

[jwarry]

Just imagine if they pulled off Felix, Diaby and Kessie, with a new keeper and right back - or would we still be complaining they haven’t bought a new striker?!?

[Percy McCarthy]

Italian press saying we’ve bid for Charles De Ketelaere.

[frank black]

Italian press saying we’ve bid for Charles De Ketelaere.

Sounds like a gem thief

[Dave]

Italian press saying we’ve bid for Charles De Ketelaere.

Hmm. I guess we've seen both the good and bad from signing a player on the strength of one great season in Belgium.

Been pretty ropey for Milan though.

[paul_e]

I like de ketelaere, I reckon he could be a fantastic player with the right setup around him.

[LeeB]

He's a big lad for a wide player, like the second coming of the 'Droyd.

[Dogtanian]

I thought he played in the middle? Or is that just where he's been played last season?

He does seem tall though.

[frank black]

Italian press saying we’ve bid for Charles De Ketelaere.

Hmm. I guess we've seen both the good and bad from signing a player on the strength of one great season in Belgium.

Been pretty ropey for Milan though.

Seems their fan’s general comments are “how are we demanding this for a player that hasn’t succeeded “ I suspect this is another of those agent/club generated rumours, they need some cash to spend elsewhere.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

One of the daily sports papers here, Record, are reporting that we're putting in a €45m offer in for Pedro Gonçalves of Sporting. Inter are also said to be interested. It's behind a paywall but expect the story to spread to other media in the coming hours. I said the other day I don't think it's dead as I reckon Sporting still need the cash, if not to balance the books but to give Amorim more money to go out and buy.

EDIT: Found it elsewhere and that's pretty much it other than saying how interested clubs like him as he can play in several positions plus his goals/assists record.

[Dave]

One of the daily sports papers here, Record, are reporting that we've put in a €45m offer in for Pedro Gonçalves of Sporting. Inter are also said to be interested. It's behind a paywall but expect the story to spread to other media in the coming hours. I said the other day I don't think it's dead as I reckon Sporting still need the cash, if not to balance the books but to give Amorim more money to go out and buy.

And given their track record you'd assume they've got about three more just like him in their youth to come in and replace him.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

As I said when his name first got linked with us, I wouldn't be paying the €80m buy-out clause. He's good but not that good. Sporting have a bit of a chip on the shoulder regarding selling on players, Benfica have really cashed in big time where as Sporting haven't sold anybody over €50m. Silly I know but it's political.

You're right Dave, there's always something coming out of the Academy not that it doesn't stop them picking up somebody very cheap and turning them into a diamond.

[mike]

Just imagine if they pulled off Felix, Diaby and Kessie, with a new keeper and right back - or would we still be complaining they haven’t bought a new striker?!?

I have a very disturbing image now of what lengths our recruitment staff may go to to persuade players to join.