McCormick

Smoked out Liverpool. Job done.

Just seen the result. Strong team?

Nah, think this could be a goer; the club are actively trying to sell him and capology (I know, I know) say he’s on 90k euros a week. It’s doable but we’ve been here before.

I feel bad now . My snarky tone was more in response to the recent waves of negativity about our transfer strategy . It’s been a brutal summer but I still like what we’re trying to do. Think we all just hope we get what we need before the window closes.

Brother, what are you on about? That’s not an “unpopular opinion,” it’s just lazy criticism dressed up as insight. The idea that “there are very few players who can improve us” isn’t some convenient excuse it’s the literal reality of trying to strengthen a top-level squad. When you're operating at the sharp end, marginal gains cost serious money and require precision ffs. Calling the shortlist “unoriginal” completely misses the point too. Every major club in the world is after the same handful of elite talents. There’s no secret wonderlist no one else knows about. If a player really is good enough to improve a top side, you can bet ten other clubs are sniffing around too. With that, it means players and clubs have the time and leverage to sit back, wait and sound out other propositions. Sorry to sound patronizing but that’s just how it is, not a “weak cover.”

Loads of people here seem desperate to live out their FM dreams in real life. Honestly, I’d rather we go for someone who’s actually proven themselves instead of rolling the dice on some “imaginative” pick. Yeah, we’d all love to find the next Messi for 8m from Argentinian 2nd league, but the truth is we’ve got to compete at the top now or fall further behind. That means every signing needs to be as close to a sure thing as possible. It sucks that we’ve missed out on some of our main targets to clubs with bigger pulling power, and yeah, it feels unfair- but they can’t buy everyone. We just need to keep doing what got us to the dance in the first place and trust the process.

Wait. Is it confirmed he’s going to City?

I really like Wissa; age and fee won’t make sense but the striker shortlist is getting shorter and shorter. May need to just bite the bullet on the fee here and just get him in. It’ll be more like a Barnes signing than a Tonali one (which tbf the former looks better in hindsight after his showing last season) but we’re here now and the perfectionist approach doesn’t seem to be coming off.

If we were going for shit players we’d be moving faster. Clubs are desperate to get rid and players themselves will agree terms quickly, knowing it’s more unlikely a better proposition becomes available. Frustrating as fuck but it comes with the territory when you’re in for that caliber of player.

That’s what I mean. He’s the next guy we fail to sign

My guess is Xavi Simmons.

PIF are very slow (most things in Saudi tend to be) but I’m not overly convinced that they’re to blame for our lack of speed in the market.

Fan of either, if I’m honest.

Controversial, but I’m liking the new hair on Gordon. Love a floppy-haired winger.

Is that Ali guy, Ekitike’s agent? Should have his number at least. If you’re looking to smoke out a bid from one of the big boys you know who to call.

That’s certainly 1 way to look at it.

Let’s get that new deal sorted.

Yep. Hope it backfires spectacularly. would be *chef’s kiss* if we somehow managed to land their 2nd choice while keeping hold of their first.

No one’s paying that and the buyers are drying up. Could be wrong but doubt he goes for much more than Ekitike does.

He’s a better out and out striker than Ekitike imo (lovely hit on him) but can’t see him working anywhere but the sole man up front. Completely different profile to Pedro and Hugo.

Getting cucked by 3 strikers this window is infuriating but I’m sure we’ll end up with someone good.

If he goes it’ll be for mad money. Just please not to Liverpool. They’re insufferable.

Perversely I’d prefer Chelsea to sign him over Liverpool. A) because they don’t need him and B) to absolutely dunk on Pedro and Delap. Slightly petty, I know.

Conservatively it equates to a 15m replacement Recklessly (assuming no huge revenue increases are forthcoming) it’ll be up to 75m. Best to assume maybe 40/45m or slightly lower?

The characterization of that interaction is so fucking dumb. A more accurate interpretation is; we couldn’t get our top target so we’re now horning in on your deal out of panic because striker options are drying out.