Hughesy

Isn't most people's concern that, assuming we have limited funds, they'd rather not spend 13 million on a striker when there are other areas that need to be improved?

I hope it's easy to sell extra tickets back.. for a group of four of us we only wanted to get 4 tickets to one matches, but ended up with 8 tickets to one match and 4 to another.

Secret Footballer absolutely tears Delph apart in this - http://www.thesecretfootballer.com/articles/the-secret-footballer/26857/fabian-delph-finds-his-level-and-falls-back-into-aston-villa-comfort-zone/

I know it's not actually your point, but I've always been surprised about how relatively skinny Drogba is. Obviously immensely strong, but never looked it.

If hba was so bad defensively, I'd love to see actual evidence of the goals that we conceded that were his fault. I genuinely can't think of many, yet certain people like to make out as if he was some defensive liability.

Saw Andy Carroll in a restaurant in Amsterdam. Had a very brief chat - he seemed to think Wijnaldum is a striker which was awkward.

I think I'd rather gamble on mitrovic than Austin personally. Not a massive fan of Austin - strikes me as a fairly limited striker.

Daniel Ainsworth ‏@Ainsworth1980 2m2 minutes ago Wijnaldum is very close. Mitrovic is further away from agreeing terms but talks progressing well. Matip is now unlikely due to wage demands.

Interesting analysis here - http://www.benefoot.net/gini-out-the-bottle-wijnaldum-ready-for-the-next-step/

Don't know enough about Wijnaldum but a Dutch journalist (Michael Jongsma) seems to think that having a midfield that contains de Jong and Wijnaldum won't work as they both mainly offer a goalscoring threat but low on creativity.

That Julien Laurens journalist has said Thauvin doesn't want to come to us.

Linked to Chris Martin of Derby by Graeme Bailey. Links get worse and worse.

I thought in this situation the contract offered to Ameobi by us had to better his previous contract. That is pure FM knowledge though.

He delays on the ball because of the lack of movement - it was exactly the same with HBA. No options so they hold onto it and then get abuse from the crowd for being greedy.

Luc Castaignos to Frankfurt for €2.5 million. Weren't we linked to him at some point?

The difference in the quality of article between Lee Ryder and Mark Douglas is embarrassing. Genuinely don't know how Ryder has a job.

Really not sure about Austin to be honest, especially for £15 million. But if it's him or no-one, I'd get him in now.

There's plenty, we just won't pay the money for them. Not wishing to put you on the spot - but can you give some examples? I've been trying to think about who I would want us to buy because none of the proposed names really fill me with much confidence.

Didn't mean de Jong - meant van ginkel.

Did he fully recover from his knee injury?

All the players we seem to be linked to seem just so unremarkable. We really seem to be targeting a lower level of player than any other summer I've seen for us.

Michael jongsma (Dutch journalist) has tweeted that a Dutch newspaper is reporting that us and Sunderland are after wijlandum (sp). For 20 million euros. Ha ha.

Are there many quality strikers available in Europe? Not suggesting Dost is the answer, but I haven't seen many good strikers linked this summer.

I'd be fascinated to know whether they had discussions with other candidates for the job other than McClaren or whether they only ever intended to appoint McClaren from the moment Pardew left.

Have we been linked to any strikers other than Austin, Dost, Berahino and Juanmi (now not an option I see)?