ChelseaFanUK

70-30. 70 he stays
 
I do think that any hint of a move and we will be on it.  Catalan based Sport again reporting tomorrow on their front page that we have almost agreed 80m euros, and just waiting for FDJ and agent to agree terms with us. Either way, this saga is heading to its end
Plus, we all agreed Boehly's visit to Spain wasn't just for a "meal" or to sell azpi [clearly as he stayed] or Alonso.  I always suspected FDJ was discussed. Because even at that time, links to us were around.   Nobody turns up to a meal, with a stack of documents under their arm..... It was business related, too
I wouldn't rule out Utd completely, either.  I think people may be slightly jumping the gun re. him not going there.

70-30. 70 he stays
 
I do think that any hint of a move and we will be on it.  Catalan based Sport again reporting tomorrow on their front page that we have almost agreed 80m euros, and just waiting for FDJ and agent to agree terms with us. Either way, this saga is heading to its end
Plus, we all agreed Boehly's visit to Spain wasn't just for a "meal" or to sell azpi [clearly as he stayed] or Alonso.  I always suspected FDJ was discussed. Because even at that time, links to us were around.   Nobody turns up to a meal, with a stack of documents under their arm..... It was business related, too
I wouldn't rule out Utd completely, either.  I think people may be slightly jumping the gun re. him not going there.

That would please me.  He made a name for himself at Liverpool
 
 

This saga is likely going to end up with Kounde going Barca.
 
But i will hold off for a little while as their media is incredibly biased.  Sevilla sources still insist nothing with Barca, only Chelsea

This saga is likely going to end up with Kounde going Barca.
 
But i will hold off for a little while as their media is incredibly biased.  Sevilla sources still insist nothing with Barca, only Chelsea

Barca's second lever activates tomorrow.  
 
Now im skeptical whether Kounde does infact join us

I have ignored the Raph news tbh, I dont think there is the slightest chance he joins. 
Ake and Sterling be done soon for sure.  I think the major CB signing will be the next one though after Ake

There are so many things wrong with Barca atm. Here are a couple of reasons why they won't be signing people: 
1) Short term debt. 
Not only are Barca €1.5bn in debt, around €350m of this is in short term loans. Barca are currently rated about one level above junk and are needing to refi in a market where rates are going through the roof. At best their liabilities on that portion of the debt is going up 2% but it'll probably be more like 4% (so around €8m a year just to pay off the interest.) Then you get to the medium term debt, which will also be impacted by the current rate increases. 
FFP 
a) Remember all that money they owed their players that magically disappeared because they 'took wage cuts'? Well 'surprise!!' That was actually deferments and not wage cuts so that money is slipping back onto the books over the next five years of so. Pique is reported to be owed €80m alone, so God knows what the total figure is.
So that €80m they're going to put on the books by selling FDJ gets eaten up almost straight away by the: 
A) the excess they have already on the books. 
B ) money owed to current/former players who deffered
C ) the players like AC and Kessie who they're yet to register. 
Barca now have to essentially sell one of their best players every season and just buy 'frees' in order to comply with La Liga FFP and to ensure their debt doesn't balloon anymore; no way do they risk another disaster signing/big fee that goes wrong. In addition their debt is going to get exponentially expensive quickly due to the interest rises and their near junk status. 
So, yeah, they're not buying anyone for big money on a long term contract. 

Raphinha to Barca is so fucking obvious
 
 
Deco was probably already out there before we agreed a deal with Leeds, got wind of the news and went straight to Nou Camp to see if theyd match it.  By tomorrow or Friday they'll probably get their economic lever authorised, sign Raphinha, Lewa and complete Kessie and AC.    FdJ will then join Utd.   
 
OR, they'll use FdJ money to sign Raphinha, [and the lever to sign the others] even before FdJ is confirmed perhaps. Like Villa did when they knew Grealish was off.  If they know the cash is coming, they can use it
 
I really think they'll rush and do whatever it takes to get Raphinha before he chooses us. I am usually not overly negative, but i think this one is dead.

I'd sell for that.   Even though id like to also see him have a chance here, thats money you can't grumble at when you consider he wasn't really setting the world alight at Saints
 
 
Way I look at it is if Broja belonged to Saints and we were linked with him for 30m after the season he has just had, would i be keen.  Answer is no.

Im sensing this Lukaku deal will be done by end of the week the speed it is going.  Or at least agreed

Lukaku to Inter will be done quickly IMO.  I think both sides just want it done. 
 
Swap deal? Dont see it. 

Good player, but im sure Milan said he has a release clause, pay that or dont bother.  And its 100 odd mill
 
and yeh, the sources are shite. lol

Good player, but im sure Milan said he has a release clause, pay that or dont bother.  And its 100 odd mill
 
and yeh, the sources are shite. lol

Good player, but im sure Milan said he has a release clause, pay that or dont bother.  And its 100 odd mill
 
and yeh, the sources are shite. lol

So despite TT claiming the squad needs to be rebuilt this summer, and we have lots of work to do.  People expect a quiet summer?
 
It's June 7th.  We'll sign 4 or 5.  And yes, I do think there is a good chance Raheem Sterling is one of them

New era begins but genuine sadness that Roman has officially gone. Gutting
 
 

If i woke up to the news Ratcliffe had took over, id not be shocked.  Timing of everything seems real convenient.   Hasnt he also met the CST already since Friday?
 
I still think it'll be Boehly, but the timing of Ratcliffe's bid, the bypassing of Raine, which would indicate a deal directly between him and Roman/the club; and the talks with buck and Uk govt already, [plus the fact he would pass due dilligence with the govt almost immediately] id suspect on paper, Roman prefers his offer.  And even though i still think Todd's group get it as said, I don't think it's quite cut and dried. 
Talk that he cannot progress his bid until Boehly's exclusivity expires makes no sense because 1. There is no exclusivity yet, I'm sure Matt Law would have reported that, seeing as he is in bed with one of Boehly's team, and 2. Roman CAN still reject the offer, this exclusivity period does not mean you absolutely have got the club signed, sealed and delivered
Thats just me speculating, though

If i woke up to the news Ratcliffe had took over, id not be shocked.  Timing of everything seems real convenient.   Hasnt he also met the CST already since Friday?
 
I still think it'll be Boehly, but the timing of Ratcliffe's bid, the bypassing of Raine, which would indicate a deal directly between him and Roman/the club; and the talks with buck and Uk govt already, [plus the fact he would pass due dilligence with the govt almost immediately] id suspect on paper, Roman prefers his offer.  And even though i still think Todd's group get it as said, I don't think it's quite cut and dried. 
Talk that he cannot progress his bid until Boehly's exclusivity expires makes no sense because 1. There is no exclusivity yet, I'm sure Matt Law would have reported that, seeing as he is in bed with one of Boehly's team, and 2. Roman CAN still reject the offer, this exclusivity period does not mean you absolutely have got the club signed, sealed and delivered
Thats just me speculating, though

I've always thought Boehly would win, but the amount of "PR" from that camp is huge, its like Candy's bid.  Lot of media talk; and sometimes the ones shouting the most, is because they are desperate
 
As said before "the serious bidders dont usually do much talking, they stay quiet"
 
Something nagging is now telling me Boehly will be 2nd, and ricketts/griffin are ahead.   Yes, they have horrible history with remarks re. muslims etc, but i bet all bidders do if you look hard enough.
And i do not believe the Mail article re. Muslim players being against their takeover, the Mail would never have printed that if it wasnt for Twitter finding old stories from previous tweets.  Funny how a lot of these "inside scoops" come after twitter finds something, isnt it?
Saudi Media's bid wont be beaten if true, but I stil need convincing theyve definitely bid haha

I'd imagine its more likely a rotation on Coventry's part, but I'd leave him right where he is. Regular first team football there is better than being  Alonso's backup here. 

Decent little pickup on a loan is Saul. 
 
Lets sit back and see if the clause gets triggered..... at 10.45 pm

We can sent the money to Kounde. Kepa for example basically paid his own release clause.

My confidence re. Kounde has gone.  I've a feeling we are done

Nope, probably tonight or tomorrow
 
Tomorrow will be full of rumours id guess with deadline day being Tuesday