McCormick

Worse technically but better athletically.

I like him, solid everywhere and adds pace to our slow backline. Can’t think of too many next-tier left-backs who are realistic though tbf.

My order: Gravenberch, Thuram, Lavia, Kone, Veiga.

Fair. Doubt anyone will be playing close to that for him though; he’s not a household name in the same way Gvardiol is.

Yeah, you’d imagine they’d accept that figure, release clause or not. Pretty pointless deadline unless they really don’t want to sell him.

Not sure I understand; we can still buy him but not at the release clause figure (which seems quite high anyway) right?

I wasn’t talking about priorities. Regardless of what they’re doing with Chelsea, they’d still want to maximize the value of NUFC so as to get their investment to appreciate.

Agree. My point still stands though.

Better stadium, better training facilities, London, a global fanbase that dwarfs ours, arguably better squad (on paper), higher turnover, higher league positions in the last decade, higher wages etc. Our project is more exciting but we can’t even spend as much as them on transfers due to FFP. I’ve every confidence we’ll overtake them within the next decade but 1 CL finish doesn’t make us a better proposition at this time.

Don’t see why people are surprised that Tottenham are still considered a more attractive proposition than we are (black and white bias aside)

Wouldn’t even have taken the deal if it was the other way around.

We’re they’re investment- morality discussions aside- what’s good for us is good them, ultimately.

For example, I know for a fact that different housing projects (technically) under the same banner are massively competing against each other for further investment/ resources/ manpower. It’ll be the same here; PIF will do what they see as best for PIF and allocate accordingly.

Yeah, I think we’ve shown thus far (January windows aside) that we’ll wait until the deal suits us rather than pay the premium to get things done quicker.

PIF is huge and we’re a very small part of their extremely diversified portfolio. The scale of it means there will always be conflicting interests with different arms and companies all competing for investment etc. out of the same metaphorical pot, that’s just the reality of it.

Yikes. Southampton can’t catch a break .

Get your guesses in, lads! Admins will pony up £50 for whoever’s right!

Hope he’s working on his right one too.

If anyone is desperate for some “never gonna happen” rumours: Tchouameni https://www.caughtoffside.com/2023/06/18/newcastle-willing-to-offer-club-record-fee-to-sign-23-year-old-la-liga-ace/

Prove it.

Not saying it’s true but those teams all have very large global fanbases. We don’t, currently.

His lack of pace as an lb is always a worry but he’s usually very good defensively. We also have a perfectly fine alternative in Targett. I’m more worried about what happens if Trippier were to get a lengthy injury.

Yeah not many teams in world football can afford to drop 65+ million on a 26 year old. Especially in the PL with Ffp, clubs are looking at younger players to tie into longer contracts.

No clue obviously but I imagine we’ll only do a deal if it’s less than 65m (pounds), which I’m not sure they’ll be willing to drop to.