McCormick

Ah well.

How’s his English @Milanista ?

He’s gagging for the move. Get that ossobucco in a stottie, lad.

Not a dig at Milanista who, despite being a very decent poster, is understandably very biased towards his team but: Reading the arrogant Milan fans’ reactions online if this guy signs would be: *italian hand gestures* Squisito!

I really like Tonali but he’s not on the same level as Rice, currently. I’m not sure what it is with Italian fans but I always see a lot of bitterness from them towards English football. It’s strange.

I don’t think they’re that far apart tbh. Prefer Tonali’s physicality and ability to play as a dm.

I think he’s fantastic. Not the greatest season this year but he’s got everything. Really rate him but don’t see it happening.

He’s faster, stronger and better in the air though. But yeah, there’s a trade off there.

I mean, no one accepts the first bid.

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.