ponsaelius

Forest are the quintessential promoted via the play offs team. Weren’t really expecting to go up. Got there largely off the back of a youth player breaking through from nowhere and a right back who was on loan from another Champo club. On top of that they lost their goalie and had other loanes return. Basically they’re massively ill equipped for the top flight - so have needed to throw everything at it and get any king of signing where they could to build a side. It’s not ideal but it’s basically the only thing they could do. Will certainly be very interesting to see how it goes.

I don't even think it's as manic as people are making out, tbh. It's obviously exceeding current supply of 52k but to what degree is impossible to know until you actually expand. It will always seem insatiable until it ticks over the saturation point. The season ticket sales has warped things massively because you had the current matchday demand all going for 1k tickets. That obviously therefore seemed like a golden ticket situation and has sent people into hyperdrive. Actually anybody with a membership had no issue getting tickets for Man City today. This is a much fairer reflection of actual demand. There is definitely scope for expansion and it is worthwhile for sure. But demand is really not entirely bound to success or ambition or quality of team or the competition you're playing in. We didn't sell out many CL games back in the day - just like City get ridiculously mocked for now. Factors like ticket prices and cost of living will come into it massively. As will geography - it's far easier to tack on 10k worth of tourists at WHL or Olympic Stadium than it is in Newcastle (as much as footy tourism would be a huge boost for the city).

2 year deal is same as he's on here - so no benefit of a longer deal. Pretty much guarantees we're subsidising a decent chunk of his wages I reckon.

Exactly. Pepe will be exactly an example of why we won't go to 50-60 million for Diaby or anybody like that right now. That price point becomes really problematic if things go wrong. 30 million is the sweetspot of doubling in value if they excel, being value for money if they do OK, and making a manageable loss if they bomb. 60 million they basically have to be brilliant to be worthwhile - and could potentially be an enormous write-off if they end up like Pepe.

Demand is not endless though nor is it entirely based on the quality of side on the pitch. I'd make an argument that demand among matchgoing locally based fans is unlikely to ever significantly exceed the current demand levels. This is peak fever pitch at the moment. It's about momentum and the feeling of going somewhere, particularly after years of shit. Even if we became hyper successful there will become a point where it becomes boring and mundane. If we settle into steady but unspectacular improvement the hype absolutely will die down. Particularly when ticket prices go up. 60k is would be absolutely fine IMO. Increasing significantly beyond that is only really justifiable if you're looking to attract loads of tourists. Which is questionable whether or not it's even desirable from an atmosphere point of view - before you get onto potential demand on this front.

But the demand isn't endless. It's bigger than the current stadium, yes. But I guarentee at 60k we'd have a lot of games where we wouldn't sell out.

Don't think anybody would expect decent money - but you could probably get some sort of fee from selling him to a lesser league that has some money. MLS, Turkey etc. Villa just sold Trezeguet to Turkey for about 5 million. Similar sort of profile of player. International players under 30 will generate fees from those kind of leagues if the players are willing to go.

Not this summer but definitely thinking any right sided CB target next year is gonna be some athletic freak.

The quotes are from earlier in the summer relating to another transfer - so things could have changed. But it does make sense that he'd be keen to stay and develop for a bit longer. For all the unsavoury elements that come with Red Bull involvement in football young players join them because they are very good at offering clear progression, development and ultimately success for young players. He is Adeyemi's replacement this season - and in a year or twos time he will probably get the same move to a CL team in a bigger league. It will take a lot of convincing (and a big salary) to persuade a young lad to deviate from this path. Or a persuasive agent who is keen to bring his own income forward.

We definitely seem to be targeting a lot of players that clubs simply don't want or need to sell - which is making things more difficult. Because we've been so useless for so long, and not had a proper recruitment team in place, I think it's perhaps a bit lost amongst some of our fanbase just how well-oiled a lot of football clubs are in terms of how they buy and sell players. Well-ran clubs in Europe with bigger financial constraints are often playing 4D chess - they will have sales and potential signings lined up years in advance sometimes. A club like Salzburg for example were happy to sell Adeyemi this summer - because they know they have Sesko ready to step in this year as the main man. It's a path already laid out. They're happy sellers - but on their terms and and at the right time they can maximise value from their player. If we want Sesko this summer we're probably going to have to convince them to deviate from that path. If they don't have a replacement for him lined up in their feeder club (Liefering) or they cant get one in the market then they're going to want compensated for the upheaval and will likely ask for an inflated fee. The same is true of Leverkusen. Diaby probably isn't worth 50-60 million at this stage. But they likely think he might be soon if he continues to improve, and is certainly unlikely to drop in value, so why sell now unless you're getting big money? He has years left to run on his contract. Let him play in the CL and World Cup this year and you might get that larger fee. Worst happens is you sell him in a year's time for exactly what NUFC are offering now. Leeds were very willing sellers for Raphinha and KP - they knew it was the time for them to go. They had replacements lined up and signed even before the sales went through. However they're understandably perhaps not keen to lose another key player. We're approaching them at a point where they're not likely to be willing sellers, 2 weeks before the start of the season - so we're getting asked a big fee. If you want to be able to walk up and buy players - you need willing sellers. Players with buyout clauses, a year left on their contract, or even just at the natural selling point when the club is ready to sell for whatever reason. We've done that with Botman and Pope this summer. But a lot of the other targets we are going in to sign players where the club doesn't really want to sell. I imagine part of the problem is how late in the day Ashworth has come in and the fact it is very specific positions we need in the immediacy. As we progress we will obviously become far more savvy at long term squad building.

Yup. There basically hasn't been a recruitment policy at all for a good few years. Just giving crap players long inflated contracts instead of selling them while they have worth and making new signings. Cashing in on an asset once a year to keep things ticking over. At least in the Graham Carr years there was some kind of methodology - flawed though it was. We're lucky we're able to shift some of these players on at all tbh. I think you can basically thank Rafa for generally recruiting good pros who remain desirable to Championship managers and who actually seemingly want to move on to play football - even if the ages and contracts at this stage mean their value is nil.

As soon as you're subsiding wages (which we will be here) theres basically no chance of getting a fee. Otherwise the buying club may as well put that fee towards paying more of the wages.

Yeah I was hoping he would be clear competition for Targett this year so we could jettison Ritchie and not have to worry about actually playing Dummett. But we've had 3 friendlies now and he hasn't played a minute. It doesn't seem likely.

It's been so long since I saw Lewis play that I've almost given up on him at NUFC - but in reality we'd be far better off keeping him and seeing if we can get a tune out of him than selling him now. Unlike the other deadwood going he's still an asset to the club if there is something there - but with the lack of games and injuries his value in the market is probably rock bottom.

Honestly - in the first instance was a great signing. Brilliant in the Championship season and basically the key factor in getting us back up IMO. Games like Norwich at home showed incredible striking ability when we needed it desperately. Unfortunately, like many others leaving this summer, he was kept on too long and it has soured things. Glad and actually quite surprised it is a permanent deal. He had 2 years left so there isn't really a massive need for him to push for a move. Good on him for looking for a footballing challenge.

Harrison is probably close to his peak value. At his age and ability level you are unlikely to make any money on him going forward. However - he is also at an age and price point where you are not likely to make a big loss if you box clever. He will come in, contribute significantly to our progress, and could theoretically be moved onto another PL club if the time comes at the right time. Because he's mid-20s rather than late and not at a ridiculous price point you would only make a small loss. Or he keeps improving, stays until the end of is career and his a great signing rather than just a good one. I'm as conscious as anybody to our need to get value in the market - but I think you can afford signings of this nature. If he was 28 now it would be a whole different story. It's very nuanced.

I think Harrison isn’t completely convinced by how he’s going to fit into the RB 4-2-2-2 system and I think the manager would prefer a slightly different profile of player. Also think Leeds would sell any player for a healthy profit. Deal to to be done IMO but anything more than 30 mill is a rip off.

Made the mistake of watching Sesko highlight reel and will now top mesel if he doesn't sign.

Not perfect but one option, if at all possible from a legal perspective, would be that compensation packages can include heavy sell on clauses. Even bring in a standard 20-30% for any player who moves before a certain age. Won't stop the poaching but will at least guarentee the losing club benefits down the line.

Yup it's Brexit that has done it. You used to be able to buy up young talent from abroad on the cheap and in bulk - now you won't get a work permit unless there's significant fees involved. Clubs therefore competing far more aggressively for English academy players. You can see also clubs targeting young Scottish players far more than they used to.

Had a really disappointing season last year mind, 0 goals and 1 assist despite playing every game. I think his lack of progression was one of the main reasons Burnley went down.

Could be convincing him of playing time tbf.

Sesko and Harrison. Then close the market. Would be a very satisfactory window.

Please happen, I need that hit

Getting a winger who can play both sides would definitely be important imo - particularly if any striker we get is more exclusively through the middle. However a winger that can play both sides and a forward who can also play wide would be ideal.