Pizy

I really want both, tbh...

Like I mentioned in a previous post, would be great having a striker that's a huge aerial threat. Gives us a new dimension.

Is it a downgrade, though? More like a sideways move for me. Neither are great with the ball and both sometimes have trouble in tight areas when closed down. I think Diego's biggest positive for us is that he's clutch. Seems to frequently pop up at the right time with a very incisive goal. Lukaku is stronger, bigger, and much better in the air. Plus, and perhaps most importantly, he's never a liability with his temperament. Never gets injured and isn't a controversial person publicly. Like you say, there aren't really other options that would be any cheaper and even if we spent £80m or more on someone like Belotti you'd have to pray that he's the real deal and can cut it in a new country, much tougher league, and deal with all the pressure of being a mega expensive player. With Rom we know precisely what we're getting. He knows exactly how to play in the PL.

Just hope we don't go all powerful and strong players this summer. We also need players who are highly technical and elegant. So far our strongest linked have been Lukaku and Bakayoko who are all about physicality.

Don't get me wrong, I'd have him back here for sure. I'm just not sure how it would be possible for he and Diego to play together. If he went to the Manc's he'd be the main #9 assuming Zlatan is gone. Plus, he'd be paid ludicrous wages and get to team up with his best mate Pogba.

Absolutely zero chance they'd sell him, surely? Or that he would want to leave the best side in Italy where he's a huge part of them. Just sounds like a lazy media link after we missed out on Van Dijk.

I actually think that if he and his scummy agent are already talking to a club it'll be Man United. They'll be feeling burned by the Griezmann situation and desperate to make a big statement signing. I'm not 100% convinced we're after him with Costa still here.

He's sort of "trapped" here now, isn't he? He can't go back to Atleti and Chinese clubs would have to pay like £150m after the new foreign player tax was put into place. Have absolutely no clue what would happen if we signed Lukaku, though, since I can't see how the two of them play together.

Great post. As long as Conte gets his first choice targets I'll be happy. I do kind of hope we make at least 1 big signing early in the summer just to build a bit of buzz and set the tone. The fans will be elated if we send our rivals a statement of intent with a huge, star signing.

Of course it would be silly this early in the summer to be worried about the lack of concrete links or movement, but it seems like one by one everyone we've so far been linked with is going elsewhere. Bernardo Silva - gone to City Van Dijk - looks certain to go to Liverpool now James & Morata - strongly linked with United and PSG by reliable sources Tolisso - now strongly linked with Bayern Alexis - no chance at all Arse will sell to us I'd love to give our board the benefit of the doubt that they're lining things up in total secrecy, but based upon recent transfer windows it's hard to do. This can't be another summer where we bring in shite or wait until it's so late that we panic and buy Conte's 3rd or 4th choice targets.

Completely forgot about Renato Sanches. What happened to him? Just overhyped and not great, or what? He was as coveted as Mbappe last summer.

Xabi Alonso's replacement? Unless we offer significantly more money I can't see him turning down Bayern.

Looks like all the journalists have been briefed. Liverpool of all clubs paying £60m for a player, nevermind a CB, is something I never thought I'd see. I can only hope that we were never truly interested because losing what was rumored to be our primary CB target to fucking Liverpool is embarrassing otherwise.

Man... Get well soon. Looking like he'll miss some early season matches.

I'm seeing some places saying 6-8 weeks and others saying 3 months or more! Which is it? That's a pretty big discrepancy.

Maybe this expedites some deals for attacking players? Wait too long and we end up signing Papy Djilobodji's and Matt Miazga's near the deadline. Get a few in early so there's no panic as the seasons starting.

Jesus fucking Christ... Thats an injury that can nag and flare up even after it heals.

I mean, I get that it's romantic to play for Real Madrid under his idol Zidane, but he can achieve just about anything here that he can there so long as we add quality to our team. I could understand if he was a flashy, outgoing, fame whore but he's a shy, reserved guy with a young family. I don't see the appeal of going and just being one among a dozen other star names when he's the face of a big club already and the star man of the best league.

Exactly. Just say "I'm happy here and I'm only thinking about Chelsea where I have a long contract." Just like Azpi did with the Barca rumors. Don't say "I have dreams" and shit like that. Even if it's true.

I think he'd be happy to stay if they don't come in for him. If they start another of their media campaigns to sign a star player then I think he'll want to leave. I just hope the club dig their heels in and don't take a cent less than a new world record fee. They scoffed at the Pogba price so I'm not sure they'll be willing to go near it.

Only other suitable replacement would be Alexis and there's no chance of that happening by the looks of it. So where would that leave us if Hazard left?

Arguably the best CB in the league when fit. Has all the tools to become a world class player. Their captain and talisman Kompany was finally fit and in great form at the end of this season so I don't know where the possible signing of VVD leaves him. Or Otamendi who is pretty good. They won't be very happy being bit part players. It's mind boggling to think of the amount of money City have spent just on CB's in recent years. If they sign Van Dijk, Walker, and Mendy they'll have a fucking scary team.

We just so happen to have the best medical department out there. Anyways, it looks like he'll be fit going into the summer so it's not like you'd be getting an already crocked player.

Unless they sell both James & Bale, Hazard would be stupid to go there. Why leave a big club like us who are champions, will be in the CL, can pay him loads, he's a guarenteed starter, and is the star man for Real Madrid where he'd get the James or Isco treatment and be on the bench some games? A fantastic, world class player like Bale isn't even nailed on to start there! There would be outrage (and rightfully so) if we they sell Bale to anyone other than us whilst bringing in Hazard to replace him. Could you imagine if they sold Bale to United and then signed Hazard? We'd be sitting there weakening ourselves whilst strenthening a direct rival. I cringe just thinking about it... Thats the only possible way I'd be fine with selling Eden. If we swap him with Bale.

Insane. Don't think we'll ever be able (or willing, maybe) to compete finincially with the Manchester clubs going forward. Unlike us, they're willing to just pay whatever it takes. We have to be efficient and calculated if we want to remain on top next season.