KaKa

It would be absolutely astonishing, agreed

No idea. There was talk that some clubs were waiting till July before selling, to bank the money in the next PSR cycle. Not sure if that could apply here.

This is the original post they're referring to. About a month ago.

Can be a bit hit and miss as a source, but thought I'd share, as they've gone as far as to say we've actually bid for him, and we were strongly linked last summer, and so we'll soon see I guess. https://africafoot.com/newcastle-formule-une-offre-de-50-millions-deuros-pour-edmond-tapsoba/

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13390567/bryan-mbeumo-to-man-utd-transfer-brentford-director-admits-forward-wants-old-trafford-move-but-could-stay-at-club

Yeah, that happened. Was all a bit weird. Think Chelsea may have had second thoughts and just found a reason to pull out.

Nah, wasn't familiar with Romulo at all. Was only looking into him yesterday, and was quite taken back. I doubt we'd be looking at someone like that though. More likely to be someone with more Prem experience or playing in one of the higher ranked leagues.

Samu would cost big money I think. He's dangerous in the box, and has a lot of power and pace, but not sure people would like him. His touch and control can be quite inconsistent.

Predictions on the striker we look at next? I think we might bid for Rodrigo Muniz. Fulham have bid a decent amount on Romulo at Goztepe, another Brazilian striker, and are still negotiating. Was watching some clips of the Romulo guy yesterday as I'd never heard of him, and was quite surprised. Think he looks decent.

Bild in Germany have reported the buy back as being 'over 60 million Euros', and so it is somewhere in the £50 million range. Yeah, they like a youngster for that role because they already have VDV, Konate and Joe Gomez, all more experienced players. As the tweet stated it will have to be someone that is okay with not being guaranteed first team minutes. Once VDV and Salah stayed on, the priority was to maximise their Prem and Champions League challenge over the next few years. They've added players that will be expected to come in and perform at the highest level straight away. If they lose both VDV and Salah this summer, along with Trent, they likely go into a bit of a mini rebuild. Wirtz would likely have opted for Bayern or Man City instead. In that scenario, they likely also give the likes of Bradley and Quansah more of an opportunity to stake a first team place, as they have shown the potential, but just need the reps, and a bit of leeway to play through some mistakes.

Seen some of their fans already moaning that Delap isn't good enough and they need another striker

Jackson's face in that tweet man. So perfect

I don't think it's going to go well from a sporting perspective. Financially, yes, he will be just fine. Just like he would have been if he joined Newcastle. Same as he was already at Brighton.

Part of the excitement with signing João Pedro for me was really with what level Howe could get him to, and the influence Joelinton and Bruno would have on him as fellow countrymen that are consummate professionals. I just can't see him pushing on and developing into his full potential at Chelsea, as they just don't function that way, and so I can't help but feel it will be his loss. The Chelsea lot aren't even excited about the signing, and so the pressure will be on from the outset too. Will watch on in glee if it all goes left. Let's see where we go next. It's really somewhat of a relief these decisions are being made in June so we haven't been strung along all summer.

Yeah, it will depend on what Konate is asking for. They may prefer to keep him and let him walk on a free next summer too, so as not to have too much change at the back this summer. Particularly as they are already bringing in a new right back and left back to the backline already. If Konate then leaves on a free they would then pick up Guehi on a free too, and so they may just accept that as no real loss.

Howe and his inner circle are the ones leading negotiations. Moving quickly doesn't mean just paying whatever clubs ask for, we will still have a budget in place after all. The speed factor was more regarding PIF sign off on the deal once an agreement was in place from all parties. If you recall, this was previously an issue that was mentioned. However, we haven't even agreed with the selling clubs yet, to then go to PIF for their final sign off. Think we just need to let Howe and his guys work through their list of targets. There's been a fair bit of concern about only going for Prem targets, well the way things are going, we'll soon have to pivot to targets abroad, and so people will get what they want. Don't believe for a second we don't have other options outside the Prem. Nickson has always been strong in that area, and there will be other options that he would have presented to Howe and discussed with him. It won't be the same as it was with Mitchell last year, where there was less reception to the targets he was maybe presenting, because there was no relationship and trust there yet.

Don't think Liverpool have said that. They offered him a new contract a few days ago. Don't think they've announced no further negotiations are taking place and they have transfer listed him. If it does come down to that and they look to sell him, I'd imagine that Guehi would then be much more open to joining them. From that tweet it sounds like he's not as keen at the minute, as Konate and VDV already have an established partnership at the back.

Looks like they are ideally after a younger centre back with a decent amount of experience, to add to their rotation group. However, the ones they want, want more regular playing time than Liverpool are willing to guarantee, because it's likely to be Konate and Van Dijk starting still. This was the reason Quansah wanted to leave, as he wanted more first team playing time, and so they let him go, but added in the buy back clause, because they still wanted the option to bring him back in future if he develops as expected. Seems they'd also consider Guehi, although he's a bit older than they'd prefer, if the fee is lower, as it would be too good and opportunity to turn down. But it sounds like he'd possibly just rundown his contract at Palace instead and leave on a free next summer, because he too wants a certainty of his playing time with the World Cup coming up next year.

I'm not sure we are looking for that profile specifically. We tried for Delap first as an alternative striker to Isak, that could at times play with Isak upfront also.

Think these journalists online on social media have just about driven all football fans to madness. Other than Man City and Liverpool fans, they're all just losing it over their club's perceived lack of urgency on transfer business. Every bid not accepted or player preferring another club leads to so much angst. Don't think fans were meant to be privy to all this information.

Oof ... great header. The two Germany strikers have looked good this tournament.

Aside from the actual football, what's really unfortunate is what you've lost out on with him bringing through the young players from the under 21s. Tuchel instead is going to keep on with the likes of Walker and Henderson.

Might not be long before he gets another crack at it!

Hutchinson is impressively two footed.

The closest comparable player on the continent I've seen us linked with is Guessand at Nice.