STM

No it's not. You sign which ever scenario has the most quality. Pointless signing 4 knackers on the cheap because of fan pressure. If we can get 4 players at good value, great. If not, get the wallet out and make sure what we do get is top quality. It's always quality over quantity, unless we can do both.

Could see Man United or Spurs coming in for Pope if we got Trafford. In fact, any side in the league who's got a duff keeper will be looking at Pope. I think the plan is to have both for a year before moving Pope on next summer.

When he said established stars, he actually meant players who are already on huge wages and at big clubs. I remember the question.

There's no issue with talent. He'd be comfortably one of our best players in possession, he could play in a few positions and I don't think he's too old at all. I just don't see how the finances work, unless City think loaning him out to a PL club will re-ignite his value, in the same way Villa did with Rashford but again, City would likely have to pay half the wages too. It just sounds like rubbish paper talk. There's loads of our lads who will know Grealish pretty well, Trippier, Pope, Wilson, Burn, Tino, Hall for example. If his attitude ain't right, then there won't be any hiding it. We know that Howe is meticulous on character, so if he did want him, it wouldn't be an issue. But yes, complete made up nonsense is the likely situation. He'll end up on loan to Arsenal or somewhere.

I think he looked at decent player when I've watched him. If he succeeds in Dortmund, that price won't look much. From Sunderlands point of view, their issue is finding players of sufficient quality that want to play for Sunderland. They are going to get their arses kicked every week. They'd be better off accepting their fate and investing any money they have in young talented players who will make them stronger in the medium to long term.

Which journalists said that? A few said we'd be active towards the PSR deadline.

He could play on the right but it would be an entirely different player to Murphy and it wouldn't be an orthodox winger. That said, his first touch and ability to drive into space is pretty good, from what I've seen.

I really like Thomas Frank but in order for him to succeed at Spurs, I suspect he will need 2+ years and I'm not sure he gets that. They will be much tougher to beat with Frank.

To be fair, City are notorious for walking away from deals because they have their price. They didn't go near Wirtz when they heard the fee, which is looking like 120m... there's no way they go to 100m for a fullback. Fullbacks are historically the cheapest position on the pitch. They are signing a class left back for 35m from Wolves, I see no reason why they go even double that for a right back. From our point of view, we can't replace Tino and use the excess to advance our squad for even 70m IMO.

Yeah i reckon they are lowballing us with 50/60 max. If they bid 100m he'd be gone.

Ok that's a fair point but let's say he's itching for a move in 12 months or 2 years, providing he's still got decent time on his deal, the likelihood is that we'd get most of whatever City are offering. And actually, City aren't offering 100m IMO because I can't see anyway in which we'd reject 100m for him. They clearly value him lower. I know he's class etc, but noone turns down 100m for a fullback, not even Eddie Howe. I absolutely want to keep him though.

It's not that we wouldn't sell Tino, it's more that we have no reason to sell him now, whatever fee he's commanding now isn't going down any time soon. To be honest, I'm sure Manchester City's interest is real but given that it's Romano who keeps blabbing about it, it's got more than a whiff of an agent trying to get his client a nice juicy pay rise. The result from this will be Tino being rewarded a new contract and the reality is that he's probably being massively underpaid considering his huge development. Give it 12 months and Hall will be wanting a new deal too.

Yeah i want new sides. Ajax, Real Madrid, Bayern, Napoli.

I hear ya man, I hear ya.

Yeah and I think there's a big difference between a club looking to sell their star striker but also being smart enough to see future problems in the potential for his absence. Having JP and Isak playing together for a couple of seasons before (the sadly inevitable) cashing in on Isak, seems a sensible enough strategy and if Isak does stay, great.

My guess is that there's a bit of future proofing going on, in case of Isaks inevitable exit in a couple of years. We have shit tonnes of games next year, JP isn't going to be struggling for game time.

Gordon is going nowhere man. Hasn't he already hinted towards looking forward to next season. Liverpool aren't shelling the 80/90m that it would take either, it's a complete non starter. I tell you who could be sold... Miley. I'm not saying I want that either but no smoke without fire. I tell you which club likes good young players to develop... Brighton

He also played Wilson and King at Bournemouth, so it makes entire sense that he wants that option.

Agree. I'd be more than happy for us to go cheaper on a RW if we can get JP through the door.

Yep, it just gives us several options. Pedro can play wide if we need him, can come in for Isak when he needs a rest, without it making us much worse, and as you say it provides a potential new dynamic to our midfield.. especially for those games against the poorer sides that we struggle to put to bed. Just from a box ticking point of view it makes sense. Big Good pace Versatile Young Plenty of experience Plenty of potential He's also Brazilian and we know how good our Brazil boys will be in bringing him into the fold.

Newcastle fans: Sign some players damn you. *Newcastle start to make some moves* Newcastle fans: Woah there, you aren't planning on selling someone are you? Can you cunts not enjoy anything at all. Perhaps we are, you know, trying to improve the squad for next season.

Spot on. He's an absolute class player. Had a bit of everything. If we get him, he wants to thank his lucky stars that he's found Eddie Howe because he will become a monster.

With respect, it's not about "excitement", are those players actually better than Elanga? Just so it's clear, I'm not saying for a second whether I know that they are or aren't. I genuinely don't know anything about those players. What I'm saying is, would you stake your job on it? Ultimately that's what's going on here. A manager has to not only make sure the numbers work for the club but also that a player not working out isn't going to cost him his job in 12 months. You might say that's dramatic but I watched plenty on this very forum question our manager about 6 months ago.. he makes a couple of shite signings and they will be back.

A one who we can afford? Fee and wages? Who has proven themselves to a certain level? I'm not trying to be clever, but I've never heard anyone come up with any names.

People keep saying similar but never come up with names. I'm sure we'd have signed Reijnders but funny enough a club with much more clout signed him first.