Rich

So aye, Chris Wood. Anyone remember the last one Edward’s was first to?

Just checked, it was The Mail that broke the Targett news. Simon Jones, after Hope had said it was still on the agenda.

Surely wasn’t on Targett?

Dyer would be refusing to play.

In the game against us, both Bentacur and Hojbjerg were feeding it into the front three with ease. I think they're both massively underrated as players.

Looking at these in addition to FBref, seems mad that Ibanez would be cheaper than Botman. However, hard to rely on data to tell the whole story.

Cheers chaps. Had been wondering about Ibanez for a while, as he seems to be right in the pocket in terms of age, position, profile, and nationality. Yellow card machine, isn't he? From the little I've seen of him, he's right-footed and more Schär-like in terms of style:

@Milanistamaking a Papiss-like start to his career here. Quality posts. There's no way I'd grumble if Botman went to Milan ahead of us, but I don't think he will.

Been struggling to keep on top of everything this week. Would people say it's only really Botman and Ekitike that have been strongly and consistently linked at this stage? Everything else fairly tenuous?

Putting the shit patter aside, I'd be chuffed if we managed to get him, and same with Ekitike. We're clearly very, very sold on both of them and their age profile is exactly what we need. I said it ages ago, but I do think that money will ultimately talk, and like with Bruno, he'll be making the correct long-term decision if he does decide to come here.

Di Marzio’s just said he’s much closer to signing for us, so that’s canny. Always said he was fast as fook: “During the program “Calciomercato – L’originale” broadcast on SkySport, journalist and market expert Gianluca Di Marzio intervened to take stock of the situation on the Milan market.” ”Finally, the Botman question: “The negotiation for the defender is complicated. Newcastle are back in charge, giving Lille very high figures.””

This slug transfers slower than he runs.

Aye, was going to post this. Some of the fucking nonsense being written, man.

Ando knew.

And this is why they’ll always get away with being shite.

Which ace journalist wrote this line two weeks ago, do we reckon? "The chances of Matt Targett making his loan move permanent have reduced dramatically in the last few days."

Journalists bang on the money with this one, as usual, eh? Remember that talk-in Caulkin, Hope, and Douglas did?

Lovely stuff. 1/5 of the budget gone, mind.

Started on Monday, Hayden loaned on Tuesday, Targett signed on Wednesday. Not fucking about Wor Dan.

Howe's said Lewis will be given a chance in pre-season, they've extended Dummett, and now Targett is coming. With Trippier and Krafth both capable of playing LB, there's legitimately no space for Manquillo. He'll be off.

There's no room for Manquillo in the 25, like, Murphy and Fraser would be used in an emergency I reckon.

I heard Maldini had to beat him in a foot race to get his signature, and he did. Comfortably.

Aye, seems like Lewis will be given a chance to challenge for the place now that he's fit again.

Regardless of that, it's hilarious that they think they've "won" when Targett was a vital part of the team that finished three places and four points ahead of them. They were seven places and 11 points better off than us when he joined.

I enjoy your poems.