Kimbo

That sounds unappealing compared to leaving on a free next summer and getting a £20m+ signing on fee, which is what I would absolutely do in his position. Bayern isn't a bad move but he can get a better league than the Bundesliga.

Chunky but if he’s healthy then this will pay off massively for many years.

Premier League Winners: Man City Runners Up: Arsenal 3rd-6th: Chelsea, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Newcastle Relegation: Everton, Sheffield United, Luton Overachievers: Aston Villa Underperformers: Man U Top Goal Scorer: Haaland Break Out Year: Pedro Season to Forget: Hojlund PFA Player of the Year: Haaland PFA Young Player of the Year: Haaland Manager of the Year: Guardiola First manager to quit/be sacked: Postecoglou Newcastle United Where will we finish?: 6th Top Goalscorer?: Wilson Season to forget: Gordon Howe will we fare in Europe?: CL Round of 16 FA Cup: Man City League Cup: Arsenal Europe La Liga winner: Real Madrid Serie A winner: Juventus Bundesliga winner: Bayern European Competitions Champions League winner: Man City Europa League winner: Liverpool General World Player of the Year: Vinicius Jr

Good god this forum needs a signing.

With the extra games and a fit Isak to rotate with, he’s going to score 20 in all competitions IMO. Selling is a nonsense idea.

Everything on the tape will probably be familiar by the time they’re old enough to listen to it.

I'm becoming increasingly convinced this is part of a Saudi plan to make themselves the main driver of a super league. I don't see how their domestic league can become a success like this in the medium to long term. The goal eventually has to be commercial viability, but the money being thrown about has no chance of ever being that. PIF isn't just going to flush billions down the toilet year after year. When the league starts to become successful are they going to start offering less money? That seems unlikely. The money only makes sense in the context of a super league. They'll build the profile of their chosen clubs, build relationships with the top players, and build relationships with the ESL clubs by taking their deadwood and shoveling money into their pockets, then in 2-3 years they will make their move.

Middle Eastern clubs already play in European competitions.

I’m not sure what more they can do for us when rules have been put in place designed to stop us from competing.

I can see Saudi buying its way into the CL, but I also see the ESL clubs kicking off over it. Perhaps instead the super league will be resurrected but with Saudi financing and Saudi clubs involved.

I’d find it hilarious if Mbappe ended up in Saudi.

The idea of staying at Palace playing for Roy Hodgson probably bores him to tears. If I was him I’d want to go play for a more dominant side somewhere and get some European football.

The tweet makes it sound like it’s the value of the contract, the picture says the clubs are discussing a deal worth £20m.

There’s about 6 weeks of transfer window left, it’s way too early for that conversation.

I’m still gutted we dropped our interest in him.

Very satisfying to see how rattled these scummy clubs are by us.

Big fan of the signing if we can do it, but I feel like doing business with English clubs is going to be too much hassle for us. There must be a LB equivalent out there abroad somewhere.

That's exactly it IMO. The medical team will have played a big role in deciding whether we should keep him.

Ottoman Empire fan in peace.

I approve.

I think we would struggle to get over £20m for him this summer from a European club. I figured he would leave this summer but I thought it would be on loan, probably to Italy, with an option to buy. If we could get £30m for him straight up then it’s not bad. Obviously if he was physically fine he would be worth a lot more and I don’t think we would even be selling.

Didn't Baldwards get a load of grief for calling it a PR stunt?

The rumoured fee seems to be in line with what other clubs are being offered for their players though. I'm not sure what angers fans of other clubs more, the idea that we won't do things by the book, or the lack of evidence that we aren't.

Hypothetically, let’s say the medical team have told Howe that his injury issues are likely to be chronic (this is very possible IMO), and we have a chunky offer on the table, would anyone really not sell? If he has another injury hit season then his value won’t be much. You have to know when to sell sometimes, even with talented players.

Having a set hierarchy that isn’t allowed to change is far more unhealthy for the sport IMO.