STM

Where is the famous "first day" video? Edit: Some timing that.

Looks too complicated that. I wouldn't want us outlaying 40m for him in the summer because we are obliged to pay it and not have the finance to go after Maddison or Neves. Perhaps we could do both, but I doubt we would. Berge for half that would be a solid addition and keep our powder dry for the summer.

Would much prefer Berge.

I think it's more than enough to get Gallagher but he would have to be a moron to go there.

So in a couple of weeks, we could potentially have a bench of; Dubravka Lascelles Targett Ashby Berge Gordon Anderson ASM Isak Any we question what our transfer team are doing? chalk and cheese compared to a few weeks ago

They will do their utmost to replace him but ultimately this was a deal they had to do. They didn't want Shelvey triggering an extension.

Fuck sake man. Was clearly having a laugh.

I'd shag that in a heartbeat. Mind you, after a few jars I'd convince myself Gordon himself was a bird and try and shag him too. Lads our days are far too picky. Nee one is asking you to marry them. Besides which, she's got some massive Chebchenkos and would no doubt make a cracking bacon sarny in the morning.

They are under a transfer embargo and need to raise funds. A loan with an obligation would sort them out.

He's already had a good English football education in the champo too. Would be another astute move.

He's actually more attacking than I remember.

He's 24. Well worth a punt around the 20 mark. If we can get some back off the Shelvey deal.

Reckon that's nailed on. What fees have been going about for him. I'd put down whatever we get for Jonjo as a loan fee.

Danny Boy quick to act.

What about Jorginho? Out of contract in the summer too.

Of course he wants to stay.

Perhaps we are missing something really obvious. Do we just go back in for Franca and make the deal work? Edit: We could take him on loan and that would get rid of the formalities until the summer.

I think Gordon will be good but Bale is a pretty terrible comparison. I remember Milner regularly doing step overs for us. Shudder. Gordon will be like Almiron but with more spice and two footed.

I think common consensus is that we need a playmaker like Maddison and a DM, of some description. The issue, as I see it, is that we won't go for any long term top targets on these positions until the summer because its an easier window to do deals in. Therefore, we are likely to look for a player who can add squad depth, but not without quality. Gallagher would be a bit like Longstaff but with more end product. A one for the future but not a ready-to-go star like Maddison or Neves.

Common knowledge.

Not a fan? I'm talking low fee squad options here. Not long term mega targets like Maddison, who would wait until the summer.

Fair points. Even though Berge is potentially heading else where. I'd wonder if we would try and hijack any deal. Another player I'd look at, but I'm not sure how feasible it is, is Billing of Bournemouth but they would want a hefty fee. Edit: Billing has 18 months left on his contract, so would still command a big fee.

FFP will play absolutely zero part in our ability to replace Shelvey. Especially when you consider the FFP restrictions on the club attempting to sign him, who have signed like a zillion players this year. If we don't replace Shelvey, it's because their wasn't a suitable replacement available. Bare in mind Howe doesn't want stop gaps. Also wasn't it Hope who told us all yesterday that we were actively looking for a CM on loan? Personally, I'd go and get Tielemans. He cost what? 20m? We'd recoup that back on him, if we decided to sell him further down the line. The club were prepared to pay 25m for Wood, I see no reasons why they wouldn't consider a reasonable outlay on a CM, if they can find one.

Longstaff can play number 6. Or we could switch to a 4231 and play double pivot.