TRon

It is strange that he's telling everyone that he's due to make a final decision this week. Almost like he's trying to flush out any latent CL club interest before he commits to us. It feels like we just moved a bit closer to the deal.

Ever since I saw the photo of him holding up his toon shirt I've wanted to see him in our colours. Love him as a striker, absolute class.

Just doesn't seem like the type of signing we would make. Hard to take this seriously tbh.

I don't think anyone thinks Alan Smith's wages are acceptable, probably not even him. won't stop him accepting them though.

True. But you can't deny people with little or no knowledge of British football to find it weird that he's signing for a team finishing in 12th position instead of playing Champions League with a club hes been at for 12-13 years or so. Exactly. During the Keegan days we developed a huge profile and back then no one would have batted an eyelid at a French international signing for Newcastle. WE have to rebuild that profile and hopefully these sort of signings will do that.

Well that's good news isn't it? I suppose if you are going to take a punt on specifics that's about the figures you'd arrive at.

Also called him "dynamic and driven". All round sounds like the right qualities for a good midfielder, who could settle in well in the prem. Just can't wait to see him alongside Tiote in August.

Correct. it just makes them even more detestable...if that's possible.

Apparently Reading want £20 million This is why it's important to buy abroad and get genuine value rather than be quoted daft figures from jumped up second rate English clubs. If we want Shane Long we'll buy him for £2.5m when they get relegated next season.

I can think of two fellas with contract issues who might be reading that with some concern.

I was thinking the same. It might be Zog is ahead of Gervinho in the queue for the wide spot, plus we've signed this Mehdi lad as well.

I haven't seen him but someone mentioned yesterday that Gervinho lacks football intelligence, things like when to pass, positioning etc. Doesn't mean he's not a good player, N'Zogbia could be accused of some of those faults as well but if it's true I'd go for Gameiro if he's still considering coming here. I wouldn't let him fanny about too long though, we should press him for a decision otherwise move for Gervinho.

If he knows we're signing Cabaye, he'll realise we are looking to be fairly ambitious next season. That puts us ahead of Everton I would have thought. If Arsenal were genuinely interested he wouldn't even be giving us the time of day.

It would probably help if Chelsea were willing to sell him.

Of the 3, it's the one playing in a position where we are most desperate for an injection of genuine quality. We need a striker desperately for sure but if he doesn't want to come we should be looking elsewhere.

His brown nosing of the club is so ungenuine, he's clealrly trying to make the right noises to secure a extension to his cushy contract. The fact that he'd rather hide on Man U's bench than actually start for a lesser club just confirms he knows he's finished as an England player. Not that anyone else would want him for 100k a week. Little bastard.

He would but if that meant us not going for Gervinho then I think I'll stick with our decision to pass on Larsson.

Pretty sure that's what he means.

Probably already happened if there's any truth in this medical rumour. If...

he won't have any french mates like he will at Newcastle.

They don't need it. If they know he's joining us then they can fob their fans off with "at least we tried". Not dissimilar to Ashley's last minute bid for Zog in January.

Whoever it is we better step it up as of now. Gameiro is a waste of time if his heart is set on Spain.

Good crosser but no pace either so for us he probably wasn't the right option anyway. Can't wait to rape Sunderland next season with two lightning wide men while Larsson is left gasping in their wake.