KaKa

As you mentioned De Ligt deal is still going to be completed. He ain't joining to sit behind Lenny Yoro. I also think it's quite fanciful expecting Yoro to play ahead of Maguire tbh. Honestly, I don't get it, but looking forward to seeing how it plays out. I think it might end up being quite entertaining.

I see you are still after De Ligt, who would expect to start alongside Martinez. Maguire looks like he'll still be around and finished the season off quite well to be fair to him, and so would expect to be first man off the bench in that position. So it's looking like this outlay on Yoro was for the 4th choice centre back? It's interesting, because I think you're wingers look very shaky still, as they don't create much for the strikers. But seems you'll be going with them as they are? Looks a strange plan IMO.

I can't really take you seriously man. We'll see how the whole thing plays out I guess. Also be interesting to see what kind of budget you have left and how it is affected by this deal.

Has absolutely nothing to do with the discussion we're having.

Rotate the three? Yeah, maybe.

You don't have to tell me what to understand. The point is that you've seemingly thrown money at his club and the player to pressure him to join you. Similar to the Di Maria situation. Paying £42 million plus add-ons, for a player who is in the last year of his contract, and to use your logic, has only had one good year in France for that matter, seems very excessive.

No. Gordon would move to the right if Chiesa was out.

If true, then likely to be Chiesa IMO. I guess it would make sense to take the risk (with his slightly concerning injury history), with Barnes as first option off the bench, if that is his confirmed role. Also looking like the fee will only be around £20 million too.

The fee is the real shocker for me, as he was in the last year of his deal, which is why Real didn't want to pay a high fee. Also, isn't this just the whole Di Maria thing again, where his preference was elsewhere, but the big money has been used to sway him? Sure I've seen you say recently that you were going to be moving away from both these sorts of actions going forward?

Decent deal that. On an initial loan too.

I've seen a few people say this now, and I kind of understand it, because when I watch him his style is very unassuming and he doesn't really wow you. Just kind of goes about his business in a pretty tidy manner, but then ... pops up with the goals. His record since coming into Europe is really good. Think his next move is going to be very interesting, because I'm not 100% certain of how good he will turn out to be, though I lean more on the side that he'll just keep on scoring goals wherever he goes.

Also likely to get a hefty fee for them under these circumstances, which can go a long way to making huge strides with your team too.

Yeah, David is more of an out and out striker or a second striker playing off another. He can do a job out wide, but seems moreso that, rather than actually being a dynamic threat from there.

Actually, reading this again, I wonder if it could be Nicolas Gonzalez from Fiorentina, who has been with Argentina during the Copa America.

Yes, I know, however it was in response to the quote from Douglas below. And that description does not refer to Olmo at all. From the latest Douglas article: It’s understood there are “exciting” targets being monitored. An international forward is one of those being considered for a vacancy for a dynamic, versatile striker to supplement the lethal Isak.

Olmo is not a forward.

Chiesa?

Think Potter would do really well funnily enough. The talent is there already, just need someone that can organise the team as far as progressing the ball up the pitch so they can do damage.

Just imagine he goes in there and has the team looking aggressive, dynamic and threatening bombing forward. And then all these twats from other clubs that have been speculating on him getting the sack every time we had a small blip, and claiming he's not that good, start raving about how good he is. Couldn't stomach it personally. For that alone don't want him anywhere near the England job, until he has embarrassed some of these other clubs with his achievements at Newcastle.

I'm with you. All the players you mention would improve us significantly down the right. Even the two right footers that some will claim should only be on the left. Almiron is a top pro and a top guy, but he has held us back so much on that right side, when we go forward, as he doesn't take players on with the ball and he's so uncomfortable crossing the ball with his right foot. His main threat, was being played in behind by Bruno. Otherwise the main threat at creating something from the right side was Trippier crossing the ball in. The Gnonto thing was over his concerns he'd lose his national team place by dropping to the Championship. He soon calmed down, apologised and was integrated back into things. He's hardly some kind of unreasonable hot head. Not even worth mentioning in all honesty.

I know!

Seems to be the default setting. Until they come in and do well. And then starts the worrying about them leaving.

Yup.

For what it's worth we were linked a fair bit with him when he was at Mallorca along with Villa I think it was at the time. Before PSG came steaming in, only to then keep him on the bench ever since, as they also did with Soler from Valencia. Would fit what we're after on the right. Be surprised if we'd bid that much for him, or that anyone has at all, considering PSG have completely mismanaged him since he joined. Was highly rated when he was in Spain though.

Well that's that then. Game. Set. And match!