Unbelievable

Gotcha, thanks for explaining

I didn't know only entertaining topics could be discussed in the football section, my apologies.

I understand that outgoing fees (and wages) would be amortised and incoming fees would not, thereby dampening the effect of incoming vs outgoing. However, we have already heavily used that principle to get to where we are. Consider these figures: Our wages have gone up by 30m from 2023 to 2024. Our amortisation (fees for incoming transfers spread over contract duration) has gone up about 25m in the same period. Other expenses have gone up 10m. That is a cost increase of 65m per year, every year (until player is sold or contract extended). We're turning a massive operational loss of 70m per year with our current squad. That is before any new incoming transfers. A Guehi for 65m and on 140k/week would add 13m amortisation and 7m in wages, or 20m total every year for the next five years. A RW of the same level, another 20m every year for the next five years. Our yearly operational loss would then quickly rise to over 100m. On average we are allowed a 35m loss per year under PSR. So could you explain to me how we could continue to "spend vastly more than we bring in"? That is what we have done in the last 3 years to get to where we are today. I don't see how that is sustainable without massively increasing commercial revenue or player trading profit. What am I missing?

Your trust is deserved mate. I trust them too. The owners and management team have given us no reason whatsoever to think they have anything but the club's best interest at heart. At the start of next month we will now who has come and who has gone and what that means (or have a decent idea about what it means) for our squad, player trading position, amortisation and wages. Then we will have the January transfer window and the early next summer transfer window, and I am trying to say is that from what we currently know or can reasonably assume we cannot afford to spend the fees and wages for Guehi and a similar profile right winger (plus Osula) without a MAJOR increase in revenue from somewhere, be it an unexpected spike in commercial revenue, the sale of a half dozen of our fringe players for decent fees or the sale of a star player. What they actually plan to do to ensure PSR compliancy will probably be known much later than the end of next month. I trust them to make the correct decisions either way even if that means losing a player I'd love for us to be able to keep.

You don't think what we can spend this year is relevant in a thread where we're discussing potentially smashing our transfer record on a centre back is relevant..?

Of course you can increase revenue by other ways than player trading, I never argued any differently. However, even if we have a few good sponsorship deals just waiting to be ratified, the income will be spread over the duration of the sponsorship deal, so forgive me for thinking it unrealistic that we are somehow getting in another 50m in commercial revenue for 2025 on top of the assumption already in that calculation (rising from 75m to 90m, or 20% which I think is broadly in line with the club's ambition). I don't doubt the knowledge and capabilities of the people in charge of this club; I do doubt the ability of a lot of fans to understand what they are actually saying in their rare interviews if people think that we're going to spend big on Guehi and a right winger without having to sell one of our star players later this year.

If money is tight, which I think it is, I'd rather we spend the majority of it on RW than CB. We can depend on Schar for another year, we've brought in Kelly and we've got Botman due back in a few months, so I'd prefer us to bring in an understudy for Schar rather than a direct replacement if it means we can then spend more on actual quality in the RW position.

What do you think "increase profit requirement" means..? Spend 65m on Guehi and we'd "only" need to turn a 82m profit over the PSR year is what.

The only way we can compete is by continuing to grow our revenue (sponsorships, SJP extension/new stadium, etc.), invest massively in areas exempt from FFP/PSR (training facilities, youth academy, NUFC women, etc.) and by getting every player incoming or outgoing right. I don't mind Guehi particularly, but I don't think he's a good acquisition at the fees mentioned. His stock is as high as it's ever been after a Euros in which he's been hyped by the UK press. I think there are better deals to be had. We're a few years off being able to afford deals like this without selling other star players. I wouldn't want to lose Isak, Gordon or Bruno to fund Guehi, because I don't think that makes our team better overall.

In any case, he may be off by the odd million, but the gist of what he said is unfortunately true. People who think we can spend big simply because the 2021/22 70m loss has fallen off our 3 year period and we've we've got some money in for Minteh and Andersen are sadly mistaken due to the rise of our cost levels. The guy says we will "only" need a 17m profit from player trading this year. Let that sink in people.

I know mate

Huijsen for 12m and a right winger please

I remember our Arsenal 4-4 game and West Ham 4-3 with a certain fondness as opposed to for its defensive deficiencies on display, but to each their own mate. Give me that over Southgate-ball any day of the week.

Ended 4-4 and pens, which Feyenoord won 4-2

PSV - Feyenoord game just started if anyone misses competitive football (Dutch Charity Shield)

Surprising move that

We’ll have a full Irish XI by 2030 if we carry on like this

Responses are minging. Twatter

I think Roque would be that versatile forward earmarked for RW

Keep 'm coming

Quite like the sound of Howe reviving the fortunes of a Brazilian wonderkid

The only player on our books where I think that would be too much to ask is Isak, so if any one player would be untouchable it would be him. Still though, if a really big offer comes in I think we would have to consider it and accept we’re probably not going to get a player of quite similar ability to replace him, but it would allow us to strengthen the team as a whole.

Whatever gave you that idea? The reality of our situation is that our revenue is so low that we cannot afford a much higher cost level than we currently have, so yes, buying established players without selling existing ones is out of the question unless the PSR rules are relaxed. I think we will look to get one or two first team players in this window, but to do that we will also have to sell this season.

There should be no "untouchables" if we want to progress, just players we would only let go if an offer too good to refuse comes in or if their value is only going to go down (contract ending, player agitating for a move).