DH1988

Exactly, we’ll just end up getting into another stupid bidding war and paying ridiculously over the odds, again.

This is exactly what I was afraid of tbh, hopefully it’s gossip and we have everything signed with Lavia - That really is our central midfield sorted for the next 10 years with Enzo, Caicedo and Lavia.

What did Reece go off with specifically ?? Missed it

That’s just it, he isn’t a holding midfielder and we are playing Enzo further forward. Poor chap, true blue but ultimately not good enough on the ball.

I thought the general consensus was that he is better further forward and he’s given several interviews saying Poch will use him there.

We still have quite a few players to shift as well, seemed to be getting the deadwood out rather speedily earlier on.

I think we’re holding off wrapping up the Lavia deal incase Liverpool then put their resources to Moises. To take both away from them would be a coup for sure, but I’m still so disappointed we are having to pay £115m for a player we could have had wrapped up for £100m or less weeks ago with a full pre season.

This will be coined as LFC making us overpay for Moises and we are, if the player would stick to only Chelsea narrative then Brighton would have to accept lower, though they’d drag it out until deadline day Im sure. The whole debacle is just unreal, the only positive is that players have wised up to Brighton now eg. Kudus

Just wow if we got both Lavia and Moises, would really be sorted in terms of central midfield for so long, that’s essentially our spine sorted.

Hate this kind of thing, I actually feel sorry for Poch, bringing in players that have skipped his entire, rather famous, pre-season physical prep. Either Winstanley was told to not spend X or he was incompetent to the point of neglect to which we are now paying the price for inexperience.

I thought we’d send Adams there on loan to be honest ontop of the money.

So frustrating that even if we sign him that he cannot be registered for Sunday, still benefits Liverpool, leaves us with less spending and weaker Sunday team. The whole thing is summed up by Klopp’s response about a £100m+ player.

Can’t help but feel this is all a tactic from Liverpool to get Lavia and ensure Moises doesn’t and couldn’t start on Sunday.

I wonder why we decided to put a bid in for Lavia and prod FSG, odd. I actually don’t think they have the £110m to spend in terms of deal structure that we heard Brighton were banging on about ie. They wanted £90m if it was upfront and £100m over spread. Anyway, I could see Liverpool pulling out of this deal, just another tactic for Sunday’s game if I’m honest. If they did sign him then it’s a huge lesson for any player going to Brighton, Kudus.

Frustrating that this gets done this way, unveiled at Liverpool, can’t start him with half a training session under his belt, big song and dance about spending xyz if we don’t get a result, huge added pressure unnecessarily.

Wouldn't be surprised if it's all over Kudus wanting a release clause, how can Brighton not expect incoming players to look at what they’ve done and think twice? Hardly being shrewd, short sightedness more like.

If I were Eg and Todd, I would wrap up the Moises deal and immediately get Kudus over the line, not only his ability, but also to purely spite Brighton.

Wow, awful news, he looked so slick. That pitch was horrific. Genuinely gutted.

My point is that it didn't help. If this is truly all over being £5-10m apart then Moises should hand a transfer request in and forego any signing fees, right? Not turning this on it's head but I'm saying if he's that desperate to leave, why wouldn't his agent advise that? Ah right, because that same agent who brokered the extension, would get less money.. Of course!

This is what winds me up, along with the deal taking so long anyway, is that there is no appetite to give the incoming player the best chance at success off the bat, Brighton know this. Reminds me of Torres being flown in, signed and then had a terrible debut against Liverpool, the weight of expectation, no cohesion etc. If Arsenal hadn't won yesterday on pure jam, the headlines today would have all been about Kai and Rice, rightly so. Arsenal had the same pattern of play time and time again, I really cannot see them doing a ton this year and will rely on UCL.

Come on surely an announcement today, in the squad for Liverpool, give us what we want!

That's the benefit of playing in a lesser team, same as Conor, given a lot more freedom and responsibilities, in a team challenging you're invariably restricted somewhat (Rice). That's why I feel Kai never hit the ground here, some players thrive when their luxury is catered to but will still perform adequately if not. Hope Rice and Mount look back on their decisions in year's to come and have massive regret, not that i would want them now. We are approaching being run like a behemoth of a club model, early mistakes by the new owners have been nipped.

Rice off.

Arsenal’s midfield needs to gel and quick.

Tierney coming on, first 1v1 and shows the left footer onto his strong foot, ouch.