Donyell Malen (Gone)

[The Edge]

That's what Harvey Elliott did.

Not the same though is it. It's not about the process for Harvey Elliott. He's a player who clearly hasn't done enough to claim his place in the team. We're just fans so we have to trust the process. Or not if you don't want to.

[SamTheMouse]

It seems a bit strange to offload a player who's been doing a very decent job for us right in the middle of such a great season.

The only way it works is if the replacement arrives this month and is already known to be a bloody good player.

So it's either exciting, or terrifying.

[PaulWinch again]

I don't think city would sell/loan Mamoosh to a direct rival. Why would they? Pep showed no mercy to exeter, so seems weird to me. The only connection I can make is the Egypt link with our chairman and if thats the case would be like ellis signing ginola.

I think they’d sell, but we’re not in a position to buy someone who would cost that much in terms of fee and wages.

[Mellin]

I'm sad to see him go, but it's a decent fee and PSR doesn't stand still, unfortunately. I'm sure we have a plan.

[Toronto Villa]

Yep same for me. I’d rather we added without having to sell or loan out. But that’s not how it works. And the Elliott deal is weighing around us like an anchor now tying up wages room.

[Witton Warrior]

Modern foo£ba££ has erased my emotion when it comes to retaining players. Wish the bloke well and thanks for the goals. Next!

[KevinGage]

The worry with this is that we haven't got to where we are in the league by horsing teams by 4 and 5 nil with Malen playing a minor role.

We've been edging games by the odd goal. With a small squad to call upon (and an even smaller crew of attacking players) the Don has played a key role over the past few months.  That hasn't always translated as obvious goals and assists with his name attached in despatches.

But he has come on plenty of times when we've been behind or level and managed to stretch the game, with his pace and drive getting in behind. Or his positional play against tiring defences opening up gaps and helping to tip the balance in our favour.

We better bloody get someone in who can at least offer that.

None of this project bollocks. Or a Guessman-type, who's going to take 12-18 months to learn how to trap a ball in the topflight.

[olaftab]

I don't think city would sell/loan Mamoosh to a direct rival. Why would they? Pep showed no mercy to exeter, so seems weird to me. The only connection I can make is the Egypt link with our chairman and if thats the case would be like ellis signing ginola.

I think they’d sell, but we’re not in a position to buy someone who would cost that much in terms of fee and wages.

I think Nas can get round that. He will gift a part of El Gouna resort worth £20M to his family and then pay him a nominal £13/hour for a 40 hour week in declared wages.

[PeterWithesShin]

He'll join the list of players that some thought we were bonkers to ge rid off that go on to do sod all of note after leaving.

[PeterWithe]

Why does everyone think this Marmoush bloke will be on £300k wages, didn't he come in from Germany and he's not top drawer, they don't pay those kind of wages to everyone do they? I cant see why they would have needed to offer that when half would have done it.

[KevinGage]

I don't think city would sell/loan Mamoosh to a direct rival. Why would they?

Not sure they see us as a direct rival yet. We *may* edge top 4/ 5 (which, with the squad we have today will be some achievement).

But they'll be looking at actually winning the thing. With a token nod to FFP along the way, selling an overpriced player here and there.

Is Marmoush such an obvious game changer, even. Did v well in Germany (after a slow start). But we know well that doesn't automatically translate to competency in the PL.

[PeterWithesShin]

Most places report his wages as 260k-295k a week, it's not very often every place is massively far off.

[paul_e]

Why does everyone think this Marmoush bloke will be on £300k wages, didn't he come in from Germany and he's not top drawer, they don't pay those kind of wages to everyone do they? I cant see why they would have needed to offer that when half would have done it.

Capology is about the best option for seeing an idea of player wages and they have him as on £295k p/w and marked as verified so I think there's a pretty strong chance it's correct.

[ozzjim]

We aren't getting a player on £200k plus wages. Spurs have just paid that to Gallagher and we walked away.

Malen was reported to be on £140k a week, and for me was contributing enough to justify holding him until the end of the season. As it is now, we have 1 centre forward, 1 pretty average high wage loan winger and a Guessand. That is literally our forward line options. Malen has got 13 goal contributions this season. In a team that is not exactly free scoring. I think we've lost the bloody plot.

[paul_e]

Ferran Torres is on less (about £160k).

Moise Kean is £100k and Tammy is similar.

So Torres would be a bump to the wage bill and Kean or Tammy could be a saving (obviously all depending on what we'd offer).