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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.

That's pretty much his call now though. I think we have a budget for a number of positions and so can't afford to just pay what is being asked for right away.

Well if other clubs are signing his preferred targets because they are able to spend more or pay more in wages, we'll have to look elsewhere. No other choice really.

They haven't moved them on though. They're still on the books. How many other clubs just keep stacking players up like this? It's ridiculous

I think it's fair enough to at least try for these guys first as a priority, because we believe their Prem experience means they will have a quicker impact. If it doesn't pan out then go for the alternatives. There was an article this week that said the club had set a soft deadline to move on to other targets eventually. Think it was a week from this coming Monday.

Only just seen Chelsea wants both Gittens AND Pedro?!!! Despite already having Jackson and Delap. With Nkunku and João Felix still on their books. My God man. This is well past ridiculous.

That just shows he hasn't featured there much so far in his career though, right? I think there's a bit too much of a focus on positions rather than the roles the players play and what they're being asked to do. Just because a player starts on the right, doesn't necessarily mean he is going to be playing as a touchline winger. Two examples from this past season were Morgan Rogers at Villa who featured on the right in a good number of games for them, despite having not really played from that position before, and it was the same with Desire Doue at PSG. Both right footed attacking midfielders that had the freedom to find spaces to impact the game from that right side.

Palmeiras vs Botafogo has started off really well. Benfica hopefully sending Chelsea home later. England vs Germany final in between too. Decent day of footie if anyone wasn't aware!

Yeah, it's that left side they're prioritising at the minute. Gittens appears to be the one they really want there. As for the number 10, they do play Palmer there as the starter. And seen them linked with Harvey Elliott recently as an option there.

Think Chelsea were looking at him as a wide forward on the left, but have since prioritised Gittens instead? Don't think they're still after him as much. Especially as he isn't a previous Man City academy kid, which appears to be their latest obsession.

Usually means just need to agree minor details on the add ons or the payment structure, if there's any truth to that.

Takes big money to get players out of these so called "smaller clubs" nowadays, and fair play to them. Think it's going to continue to make the league more and more competitive, as they'll either keep their players, or have a ton of money that could potentially push them further on if they nail their recruitment, which a lot of them are increasingly tending to do. Bournemouth in particular will be very interesting this summer. They'll lose a few of their better players, but they're going to have a boat load of money to play with. Will be interesting to see what players they get in for Iraola, and how well and quickly that all comes together.

Yeah, really hoping we can tie this one up. Because of the option to play him in that 10 position behind the striker, it then also indirectly improves our midfield options. And so if Willock and Longstaff are still here, and not at their best, we at least have a different setup to go with.

Think an additional 5 + another 5 in add ons on each of those three deals gets them done.

This Isak thing has been an eye opener for me. I thought the Arsenal carry on was bad, but these Liverpool lot are incredibly embarrassing. Started with them making things up about Van Dijk saying stuff to him to join on the pitch after the Carabao Cup final. Impossibly desperate.