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

[Duncan Shaw]

I'm sure, however, imported footballers on millions of dollars a month are going to see a very sanitised view of the country they are flocking to.

[chrisw1]

I might be being a bit judgmental but a place that is too fcuking hot, has lots of sand, where you struggle to get a legal drink, where you can have your hands chopped off for the slightest misdemeanour, where you can be stoned to death for loving someone of the same sex, doesn't exactly strike me as the most appealing place to work. 

Particularly when the players going there will already have more money than they'll ever be able to spend.

[Smithy]

*Tin foil hat on* Am I thinking a bit too deeply when I say PIF might be using those Saudi clubs not only to establish their domestic league but to weaken Newcastle's Premier League rivals?  If Newcastle can't spend any more money due to FFP, the next best option for them is to throw spanners into the works of their rivals' plans?

Well, more like have one of their Saudi clubs buy the target player because Newcastle can’t spend any money due to FFP, then loan the player to Newcastle.

I've been waiting for this to happen since the moment they started buying players who are not quite past their peak.  Neves, Kante, Jota - could all do a job for a year if loaned back to a Prem club.  A bit like Lampard's "loan" to Man City when he signed for New York.

Really don't buy it.

I think LeonW has this correct, and if I were a Newcastle fan I'd be more worried about all the money PIF are throwing at the Saudi league than pleased. My gut feeling is they've seen the constraints that are there in the established structures and have decided "fuck it, we'll have our own structure then". And right now, if they could throw a bundle of cash at a brilliant player to go somewhere, they'd park him at Al-Ittihad over Newcastle.

Look at it this way - if they wanted Neves or Kante in Newcastle's midfield, they'd probably just put them there rather than spending similar money on Tonali to play the same position, no?

I'm not saying that no Saudi-based player will ever end up at Newcastle, it's perfectly possible. I just don't think that "send a ready-made supply of players to Saudi Arabia in case Newcastle need them" is a conspiracy theory that makes any sense at all.

I'm not suggesting that's WHY they're doing it. I have no doubt they genuinely want a Saudi super league that stands above all others (not that they'll get it). I just think it could prove a nice way around FFP if a Saudi team were to "happen" to have a player Newcastle might like.  It might not happen, but I won't be the least bit surprised if it does.  Either a loan, or a cut-price sale back to the Premier League for an expensively acquired player who "can't settle".

[Dave]

I might be being a bit judgmental but a place that is too fcuking hot, has lots of sand, where you struggle to get a legal drink, where you can have your hands chopped off for the slightest misdemeanour, where you can be stoned to death for loving someone of the same sex, doesn't exactly strike me as the most appealing place to work. 

One point for a minority of players (thinking particularly of Benzema and Kante, but others that could be tempted like Mahrez, Pogba and Mane), the opportunity to play in an Islamic country might actually be part of the appeal rather than just something that you have to put up with to get the cash.

[pauliewalnuts]

I might be being a bit judgmental but a place that is too fcuking hot, has lots of sand, where you struggle to get a legal drink, where you can have your hands chopped off for the slightest misdemeanour, where you can be stoned to death for loving someone of the same sex, doesn't exactly strike me as the most appealing place to work. 

One point for a minority of players (thinking particularly of Benzema and Kante, but others that could be tempted like Mahrez, Pogba and Mane) the opportunity to play in an Islamic country might actually be part of the draw rather than just something that you have to put up with to get the cash.

I thought similar - not so much that it'd be part of the draw, but that it would be significantly less of a culture shock for muslim players than non-muslim moving over there.

[pauliewalnuts]

Apparently Gerrard and the foreign players at his club will be living in Bahrain, which is a liberal place (comparatively).

[Gareth]

I know the club Gerrard is going to fail at isnt apparently govt owned but think we can take that with a huge pinch of salt….strikes me they are positioning themselves to be the next owners of Liverpool knowing it is for sale…pumping money in in fees for has beens & employing useless club legends feels like a first step in investing….greasing (or oiling) the wheels??  That is the type of club that they can get their grubby fingers on to kick off the next ESL etc

[paul_e]

I know the club Gerrard is going to fail at isnt apparently govt owned but think we can take that with a huge pinch of salt….strikes me they are positioning themselves to be the next owners of Liverpool knowing it is for sale…pumping money in in fees for has beens & employing useless club legends feels like a first step in investing….greasing (or oiling) the wheels??  That is the type of club that they can get their grubby fingers on to kick off the next ESL etc

I have a friend who's a big Liverpool fan and he's worried about exactly this, he's adamant that he'll walk away if they get taken over by someone like that, after over 20 years as a season ticket holder.

[kippaxvilla2]

Until they start winning leagues, champions leagues, FA Cups and League Cups etc.

[kippaxvilla2]

Anyhow, we need to get on with signings - it is all about integrating them quickly.

[ozzjim]

Couple of forwards and a right back and we are pretty well covered unless players leave. Being reliant on Watkins without serious competion worries me.

[Clampy]

Anyhow, we need to get on with signings - it is all about integrating them quickly.

We've signed two. Why are you acting like an impatient kid on Twitter?

[lovejoy]

Just to take this off topic for a moment...

Fabrizio Romano

Moussa Diaby to Aston Villa, here we go! Verbal agreement in place with Bayer Leverkusen after €55m plus add-ons bid sent this week. 🚨🟣🟣#AVFC

Deal in place, player only wanted Villa— understand medical tests have been scheduled at beginning of next week.

Done, sealed. ✔️

if true this is good news, I follow Romano and he's usually pretty reliable but I missed this from his feed so I'm dubious about its veracity.

Where did you see this Drummond? twitter? genuine account?

[Jon Crofts]

Apparently Gerrard and the foreign players at his club will be living in Bahrain, which is a liberal place (comparatively).

Quite possibly the dullest middle eastern state I've ever visited, bloody hell, I cannot imagine living there even with the riches that would come with it.

[Brazilian Villain]

Just to take this off topic for a moment...

Fabrizio Romano

Moussa Diaby to Aston Villa, here we go! Verbal agreement in place with Bayer Leverkusen after €55m plus add-ons bid sent this week. 🚨🟣🟣#AVFC

Deal in place, player only wanted Villa— understand medical tests have been scheduled at beginning of next week.

Done, sealed. ✔️

if true this is good news, I follow Romano and he's usually pretty reliable but I missed this from his feed so I'm dubious about its veracity.

Where did you see this Drummond? twitter? genuine account?

As Drummond posted yesterday, it's fake account.