junkhead

There's no doubt that the wage bill should continually rise (ideally while remaining structured) but a 70m contract extension, albeit amortised, is going to have an impact on our spending like. If I have to guess, the main hurdle in any contract negotiations would be that that the "going rate" for such a top striker would probably be double of Bruno's salary and I doubt we'd do that, even for Isak. He might settle for lower ~200k wage with a fixed release clause in order to move next summer. But we don't need a new contract for that, so I understand why we've been reluctant so far. If Isak and his agents are putting out noises though, we'll have to make a decision.

There are strong suspicions that Mitchell was exactly what he looked like - a bullshitter that does nothing. Think Eddie avoids dealing with insincere people.. so a month of agents and dodgy emissaries bullshitting him on the phone isn't ideal.. He needs help but we all knew that last year.

Haven't seen any reliable quotes. I doubt he knows the transfer window is open.

Yeah, I know we sometimes go too far with the etymology analysis on Eddie. But the fucker NEVER says anything that could endanger the position of the club or even generate more noise like this without good reason.

Tbf you have a point. Imo, that's what Eddie was referring to towards the end of the season when he said we needed to act fast. And losing one of the best strikers is hardly a "micro decision", but I fear it is for Rumayyan.

Don't think anybody from PIF is involved in micro-decisions like this at the club right now. So my guess is they'll continue to do nothing which kinda puts the ball is in Isak's court.

Tbf in this particular case it has been reported that literally Burnley moved the goalposts on an agreed deal both last summer and this. It's not a very good look again if City just swoop in and take him for a lower fee. Which they will, cause they have a sell on clause. But the reality is that simply this has not been a priority position for us and our funds have been limited

There are worrying signs but as fans, It's VERY important to keep our cool and not let anything darken the mood too much before the season. We're in the fucking CL. Let's not forget the hell of the Ashley years too quickly.. only 10 years ago our season ended in pathetic relegation. Even if PIF don't particularly care right now, while Eddie is here we'll have a team to be proud of. It's our duty to give him and the boys all the positivity and support we can. There's enough cluelessness and negativity from the reporters and social media.

He will be remembered as a decent hype man, always good for a pint and a laugh.. Apart from that, what we require from a CEO is somebody that DEMANDS investment from PIF, somebody that knows how to funnel it into the club, somebody proactive with ambition that stretches beyond the lame PSR restrictions and last but not least, somebody who knows the value of regular communication with Eddie, PIF and the fans. Good luck to Dazza Eales, seems like a great fella but he could've done much more imo.

The 4 minute clip? That's not the whole thing. Some of the reported comments aren't there at least. Eddie very rarely says something he doesn't mean to say. Think the quotes on Isak are strange. Farewell sweet prince kind of strange.. Or maybe he's just tired of dealing with scummy agents and disinterested players but I was kinda hoping he'd embrace being in charge of transfers this summer. Ah well, full support from me.. I'm sure he's doing his best. Unlike the directors at the club.

I doubt the story about Mitchell single-handedly stopping contract negotiations.. Eddie himself said towards the end of the season that he has 3 years left on his contract and that 'the club is protected'. I'm not sure we've gone further than initial discussions with the agent, during which surely we have established that the going rate for such a top striker is 300k+. I'm not sure we're prepared to pay near double our highest earner.. or a lower (say 250k) salary with a fixed release clause might not be better for the club than the existing contract. Fortunately Isak is not about the money.. otherwise, he would've been long gone.. I doubt he'd go as far as force a move.. His focus is to become the top striker in the world, not to waste his career like Rashford, Sancho etc After the cup and the CL qualification, I think there might be a gentleman's agreement between Isak and Eddie to give us at least another season, new contract or not, and we'll review next summer.

Another dwarf.. I realise they're probably not done with the transfers but as it is, they have only Ballard above 6'2..

BRING ON THE EKITIKEEEE!!! Isak is going nowhere, give the panic a rest for a night

Hatem for me like. But I'll always love Big Andy.. how he sneaked in for the Final, real fan.. glad he has found a good challenge, hopefully he stays fit and SLAYS. He's missed so much football that he still has years in his legs. And glad he and Tripps have finally divorced the annoying wifeys.. I could feel THE STRESS just looking at their pics.

I imagine Frankfurt will sell for a well structured deal well below the release clause. Developing talents and selling them on at a good profit is the business model for a lot of Bundesliga clubs. Wirtz' absurd deal apart, it seems the climate has definitely changed re transfer fees.. nobody is able to outright pay £75m anymore.. em apart from Chelsea.

It's not beyond the realms of possibility that we can afford ~£150m net spend with the Kelly, Almiron sales and the £75m loss in 22/23 falling off the PSR. Then it's all about the structure of the payments and clauses.. of course with our future CL profits in mind and HOPEFULLY new big sponsorships.

(Selling) Isak has nothing to do with our striker search imo. I'm sure a control freak like Eddie is sick of having one functional striker at his disposal. Targeting JP (or even Cunha before that) shows we are prepared to spend big for the right attacker. I'm even optimistic that we can afford ~35-40m for a CD on top of that. I'm sure we're interested and we're "keeping tabs" on Ekitike but I doubt he's our primary target. Simply because other clubs are interested and he did already reject us. Motivation to play and improve for us is perhaps the most important factor we're looking for in a player. I have no doubt that somebody like Sesko might've outright declined any interest.. yet I'm sure we're 'monitoring' him as closely as Ekitike. It's all about player preference at that level. If Ekitike or Sesko doesn't receive a better offer from a better club, we might end up with a big name striker.

Oh god, Edwards is so clueless about everything.. he can't even fill a bullshit article. ""registered an interest", "made his reps aware", "pay the full release clause". Can't wait til AI steals his job.

Ah missed that. Good to hear. I imagine it's always better to have a billionaire in your corner during negotiations.

Absolutely, although I'm not sure Jamie is around this time. The transfer committee seems to consist of Eddie, JT, Nickson and Andy Howe. It was somewhat funny to see Eddie referred as a head coach in yesterday's Elanga press release.

I've given up on my fixation for a left footed technical playmaking wizard with god-like vision, touch and freekick ability, so aye.. LET'S FUCKING KILL THEM WITH RUNNING!! Doubt he'd want to come though. He's on a long, expensive contract. He'd view it as step backwards.

No chance we're even looking at Maddison or Kuluseski imo.. if we sell Sean or Willock, we'll go for a cheaper, more defensive midfielder imo Although I continue to dream for a left footed creative wizard.

Not knowing the language, according to that old interview somebody shared.

Stellar research @HawK!!

It's hilarious how ALL their signings are off to AFCON in January.. but not as hilarious as the fact that they refuse to address their chronic lack of height. Of the players that are likely to feature next season - they have only Ballard who is above 6ft ahahaha