KaKa

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.

I think clubs can ask permission to speak to the player regarding personal terms, before then negotiating the fee. Although, for that to happen I imagine both clubs would have to not be too far apart in valuations, and so anticipate being able to come to an agreement eventually.

Would be someone much cheaper too you'd imagine. Or perhaps someone that comes in on loan initially, to then be made permanent next summer.

Amazingly enough the Liverpool fans are far more unhinged than the Arsenal lot.

Yeah, his change of plan usually involves changing the formation and moving players into different positions and roles. But his underlying philosophy and approach is what it is, as is the case with most managers. Don't think he's looking to change that, which is seemingly what some people would prefer.

Newcastle's setup and style of play is more akin to Ragnick's high intensity approach. Ragnick rated Elanga highly, and he did well for him. As much as there are calls for more control etc, I don't think Howe is looking at things the same way. Looks to me like he's trying to get the team to be even better at what they already do. Elanga would help achieve this.

If you look back at the early conversations around Gordon when we were linked, it was all very similar. Regarding him just being a pace merchant etc. At Everton he hadn't achieved anywhere near what Elanga has over the past couple of seasons. We still paid £40 million for him, and we were really only able to get him for that in January, after he had that run in with the fans there and it was all kicking off. The summer before Chelsea were interested, and were quoted £60 million. Gordon today looks a much better player in the Newcastle team and setup, and wouldn't go for less than £80 million? I imagine it would all end up being a similar sort of trajectory with Elanga, if he comes into the Newcastle team, and so you aren't wrong in what you're saying at all.

Has he stood out internationally for your youth teams? Wonder if that's where he was spotted.

Yeah, he was great at the Euros. Against Man Utd in the Europa League he was extremely disappointing though. If they had played him less in that tie, I think they would have put Man Utd out.

Yeah, well I didn't appreciate that cheeky dig at the end. But it's okay, let's just stay out of each others way. I think that's for the best. We both see things too differently and it's rarely a pleasant interaction. I'm over it.

In Bunce we trust!

I imagine without the injury history he'd be very difficult to land as the competition would be fierce. Guess they'll be weighing up whether it's worth the risk to land a player of his calibre. We did sign Tino coming off a year out injured with an ACL tear, and if I recall correctly, he also had some injury troubles early on in his career. Been quite surprised at how well he's held up in that regard since he joined.

Looks in great shape. Still such a handful physically.

That didn't look a foul by Rondon. Would have been through on goal.

Pachuca giving Real Madrid hell here

They just made an agreement with PSG to use him during the Club World Cup. But they haven't agreed on signing him outright past that, so still a PSG player.

Yeah, he's a lefty.

Oh ... and I don't rate your "ball" knowledge. Mr. Wilfried Zaha.

Do you have any idea how often you've interjected on my opinion on a player, only to then later say you haven't actually seen much of that player? Where is the logic in that? You are probably the worst, when it comes to not reading things properly, not fully taking things in, before diving in yapping away non stop. It's awful.

Yes, I believe so.