LAM09

We might have another target lined up that hasn't been spoken about. Either way, we can't be played around with like a toy. A final bid should be exactly that, rather than a sort of threat before running back with our umpteenth bid. I'm sure most around here are sick & tired of talking about Brighton at this point.

It's a shame this didn't happen at the beginning of preseason rather than two weeks before our first competitive game.

Sell Sterling and go for Dembele before the 31st July.

You should realise it's a theme at this point. It will be someone else 12 months from now.

Same reason Nkunku did, same reason Szoboszlai joined Liverpool—our current positions are temporary. Also, as the former mentioned in a recent interview, our project is appealing (just look at the post above). Barella is seemingly earning around £155kpw. Going up to £200kpw with bonuses attached isn't something I'd deem extreme, all things considered.

I didn't say that either. Just an example that Italian clubs need money and players would move on if required.

Same as Tonali? I don't believe this idea of players being so reluctant to move countries unless they are at the backend of their career.

I'm not sure why you deem Barella an unrealistic target. If we offered the exact amount we have to Brighton, I'm almost certain they'd listen. The issue is having to deal with them again, which is something I'm not fond of. Thuram is another name that could be an interesting option that would cost a fraction of what we've offered thus far. At some point, the club needs to realise enough is enough rather than bending to Brighton's hourly demands.

PSG has done a fair bit of business already, and Liverpool has made two notable midfield signings. I can't speak about what plans other clubs have, but we seem set on Caicedo for some stupid reason at this point instead of keeping our options open. The market isn't that small, especially if we're willing to drop £80-100m.

Do PSG really want Vlahovic, though? There's been talk about them bidding for Hojlund, so I'd say he's just another option for them.

These are my exact thoughts. Wipe away most of last summer's transfers at this point (jury is still out on Fofana).

Cucu is such a liability defensively. Hairstyle aside, he reminds me of Luiz but lacks his ability on the ball.

I could get used to watching a CF again who scores regularly.

It will be interesting to see how Nkunku and Jackson link up.

A number of the recent signings aren't exactly past it - SMS, Fofana, Malcom (coming off his recent season), and Neves, to name a few. If the Saudi clubs continue at this rate, the league standard will probably be higher than most in Europe by 2025.

Don't believe everything you read.

I was thinking more recently, but if we're going back, here are three glaring omissions: Salah, De Bruyne, and Tomori. It's neither here nor there whether a player would want to come back. We should just be covering ourselves, even if we potentially lose some money in the process of doing so.

We keep doing it, though, and pick and choose when to insert a buy-back clause, which would make things a hell of a lot easier. Any player under 21-22 who has played for us should have one inserted. I'm almost certain Gilmour will look like the answer to our problems twelve months from now (if we continue to twiddle our thumbs for a MF).

Ah, okay. He's probably hitting all those targets on the regular.

We're not a feeder club here to facilitate other people's moves. Signing Mbappe for a year as a stopgap for him is embarrassing and has nothing to do with us "being entitled". If he wants to play a few years here before following Hazard's route, we'd be extremely fortunate.

Thanks for the correction. More reason to not believe most of what you read.

I thought Haaland earned 500k~ (happy to be corrected). I'd be interesting to see what his real motivations are should RM cool their interest.

Talent aside, I'm against signing Mbappe due to his attitude, but with our very impressive clear-out, would a move for him actually be feasible all things considered (FFP related)?

That might be the case, but it's still some achievement in what most view as the best league in the world. Being able to do both is surely Kane's priority.

I feel like breaking Shearer's record is a major motivation for him. If Bayern, United, and ourselves bid for him, I'm sure he'd reject the former in a heartbeat. There's going to be a time when Levy doesn't get his way. The question is: when?