STM

Wonder where an "obligation if certain criteria are met" stands with this.

Our recruitment is exceptional like. They waited until they knew Chelsea needed to start balancing the books before moving. They could have easily blinked early in the window and signed someone else. 30m is such good value... again.

Maguire is staying at Man Utd purely for money purposes BTW. The sensible footballing choice would be to play first team for West Ham under a manager who would protect him but West Ham won't pay him that sort of money. I suspect he's holding out for another club, possibly abroad.

Yeah I think this is a likely scenario. See how many games Targett has played by January and then see if we can get 10m+ by the likes of Forest.

Yep this was my point. It's entirely plausible that the club could agree some loyalty settlement, which would give the player a golden handshake on his way out. If this was the case, players like Fraser would have moved on ages ago.

Yeah that's a fair argument, but I think it's more a case of Howe maybe not being as big a fan of Targett as he let's on. There were loads of rumours last summer about us looking elsewhere before we signed him and he's hardly played since. I know Burn forced him out but Howe could have put him back in. Again, I think FFP talks in this scenario. If someone gives us our money back for Targett, we cash in. Lewis Hall is our long term left back and Burn the current one. Targett isn't going to be happy either.

What you are saying here is absolutely bollocks as far as I'm aware. It's absolutely not the case that you have to pay the remaining wages of a player who has say 4 years left on his contract at 100k a week or even come to a compromise. The player might rightly not want to move because he's not going to earn as much elsewhere. On the other hand, most players have a loyalty bonus written into their contract, whereby if they haven't asked to leave or pushed for a move in any way, they are owed a specific amount of money. Apologies if I have completely misread your post.

I absolutely think we are done this window. I'd be astounded if we signed another player.

Burn, Hall, Livramento and Trippier.... Targett will be sold if the correct offer comes in. Especially with FFP breathing down our neck.

Did Edwards mention Hall when he mentioned Cucurella and Tierney?

I can absolutely see Targett moving on, if we secure Hall. There should be loads of PL clubs willing to give us decent wedge too.

I think January signings were possibly off the table anyway, barring some sort of emergency.

30m sounds very much like a deal we can get done, if we can persuade Chelsea to defer the payment(s) via a loan or other hocus pocus.

For me, 5m loan plus 20m option for Tierney is perfect. If you are Arsenal that's a good deal. They signed him for similar money and I don't think they are getting that from anyone else.

Also @brummie.... West Hams move for Maguire fell through....any chance?

Reckon Villa would have taken half the PL apart in the first half at the weekend. Diaby and Co look pacey and threatening. Would we have wanted Howe to completely change after we lost at Villa? I think Villa have more players, like Digne and Tielemans who are happier when they have clear dominance of the ball. We know neither are up for the fight when things go wrong. Villa are still quality but they are going to have teething problems.

Found it. That left footed pass to Gordon.

Link me. Couldn't see it.

Might have missed it but has anyone done a compilation of his performance on Saturday?

175k a week. Aye we aren't signing Cucurella.

If we get CL again, we should go back in for Barella.

My instinct is that Howe would turn Cucurella into the best left back in the world. Just feels very Howe.

I'll be honest, I don't think it's even close. Who's anywhere near him? It's his ability to do just about everything which sets him apart. Runs in behind. Takes on defenders. Holds up the ball. Scores headers. Scores tap ins. Scores really tough chances. Presses like a demon. He's elite. He just needs that one season to show everyone.

It's all about when he gives the ball to Joelinton and immediately spins onto the attack, he takes Cash out of the game. Such a strong burst of pace.

He's got a great eye for a pass. That little one for Tonalis second chance was great.