Eddy Chibas

I recall Ken Bates, a few years ago, openly mocking a derisory bid also (for one of his players.... at Leeds). Ashley's Sports Direct United is such a small time operation.

Absolutely agree. It's a way for big clubs to stockpile and later prevent very good prospects (whom they denied giving first team experience) from being sold to rivals down the track, while also shielding them from having to pay the market rate when the prospect they moved on develops into a star.

Papers love making s*** up. Has Rafa directly adressed the media or fans? Graham Carr leaving shows he is now turning our transfer strategy around. In June players rarely sign. Even Conte the league champions manager is allegedly frustrated at lack of progress, is he really though? Or more crap from press. I get why people s*** themselves largely because Ashley is uneducated in football decisions and also many peoples lives are social media and they choose to talk about the latest news good or bad. Pessimism has forever surrounded nufc fans and will continue to,so whats new! I expect the real work to start next week, cant be arsed buying into media hype until Rafa speaks out himself. Keith Bishop could not expressed this any better. His office will be proud of your effort.

Iheanacho would be a brilliant signing for them, minus any sort of bullshit "buy-back" clause aimed at preventing a big money sale to a Man City rival further down the track (because Guardiola will likely load up with another expensive forward signing, rather than develop the lad).

A typical conference call, during the months of July & August..... 1pm. Barnes (from his billiards den, still dressed in his nightwear, armed with a Scotch on the rocks) : "Hello Lee, I'll call you back in a moment...............You've reached me on the secret number. This had better be good. Mike is now on the line also." Charnley (from SJP's Transfer War Room) : "Hello Sir. I was working through Rafa's list of transfer targets. Rafa has identified [insert the name of a slick midfielder from Spain or England] as a high priority target. He would like us to make a move. So I'm requesting the green light to do so, Sir." Barnes: "What is the club's valuation Lee?" Charnley: "22 million pounds Sir. What shall be our opening bid?" Barnes: "Hmmmmmmm...... Lodge a bid of 10.72 million pounds. It will be rejected." Charnley: "Yes Sir!" (Hangs Up) Ashley (from his soundproof BDSM dungeon, after having just raped another handburger with the lot & extra cheese) : "Barnsey...... you're a quick learner at all this transfer market caper. Have a good one mate." (hangs up) (Barnes hangs up, satisfied at job well done) Two days later after having supplied another list to Lee, and still with no word back from Charnley, Rafa wipes up a now crusty layer of lubricant from around his raw & tender butthole.

Dembele will become a priority target for City if a rival makes a move for him imho.

Unfortunately not - happened yesterday on a UFC card. Look up "Felice Herrig vs Justine Kish". Kish, who lost (and had the accident), later dropped #shithappens on Twitter.

http://i3.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/635/624/224.gif You guys are way too polite.

Also it's quite possible the club's bidding strategy (for a manager's top targets) as revealed by Keegan, re: the conference calls, will rear it's ugly head again.

MA isn't working with him though is he? it's that f***ing tool Charnley, the non football man tasked with getting them over the line, good god. Maybe not directly (much), but undoubtedly he's getting fed back what's happening through Charnley and that new lawyer with his unknown remit (and previously Carr). He went from pushing around Pardew and McClaren to being told what's what by Rafa (by proxy or not). Can Ashley handle a strong character challenging him oublicly as the club's most visible figure? Not even adecade ago, when he was himself still ambitious and enthousiastic about owning us he most definitely couldn't. Some foggy memories on this forum.

Rather have the club wait another 6 months, til the Jan transfer window (run his contract down a little more), if Penfold is unable to land the perfect deal by knocking off another 50 quid from the asking price. Until then retaining Colback in the midfield rotation will do.

It's not the total that they are haggling. It's the structure of how to pay that total that they are negotiating. From what I've read we did initially seek, or haggle for a reduction to the release clause fee but Eibar stood firm, as they have done over final payment structure. Good on them for standing their ground, and dictating terms. We've tried to be cheeky f***ers here. What, by trying to get a good deal? 8.8m (release clause related fee) for a decent CB is a good deal already, in today's market. Pull your fucking head in lol

It's not the total that they are haggling. It's the structure of how to pay that total that they are negotiating. From what I've read we did initially seek, or haggle for a reduction to the release clause fee but Eibar stood firm, as they have done over final payment structure. Good on them for standing their ground, and dictating terms. We've tried to be cheeky fuckers here.

That's some costly greasing of palms (the add-ons), merely to secure the privilege of developing Chelsea's asset. My disdain for the loan system (in it's current form) aside, avoid this kid like the plague.

Typical puff piece served up by The Chronicle. Also gives SJH way too much credit re: Keegan's appointment.

Yup, he's the poster child for Stockholm Syndrome - from a perspective of selling the virtues of an antagonist. What a beautiful football club owner Mike is, and apparently his s*** sandwiches are nutritionally beneficial too.

Not sure if posted already. Liverpool are trying to sign Gelson Martins - aka Sporting's latest gun winger

Really? 6 foot something. Cultured on the ball. Sounds an exciting prospect imo. Agreed. Tons of respect for Sporting's academy too, which has been a proven talent production line for ages. Combine the lad's raw ability with Rafa's tactical acumen & coaching. Would've been excited by this signing.

Enter Stage Right - Michael Martin and his inflated ego.

I think the sell-on clause (in this instance, if it's 20%) is worth the gamble. Highly rated products of their academy are usually moved on for large fees, so £12m is a bargain. If he was to fulfill his potential (under Rafa's coaching) we'd still come out well ahead after Sporting take their cut (in the event of a big money transfer) If this pans out as reported, I hope he turns out to be a cracking signing for them/Southampton. They've gambled - good luck to them.

I wonder sometimes how many of these links might be bluffs by the club to try and loosen the resolve of their primary targets. This lot are embarrassing when it comes to swiftly sealing deals for primary targets, compared with Fletcher & Shepherd. Look what happened the last time we did business with Sporting, and they have a track record of not allowing top prospects (from their academy) to be sold for peanuts. Shepherd flew to Lisbon and wrapped up the Viana transfer, almost overnight, because other suitors were in the race. Under Ashley we're always f***ing about, trying to secure perfect terms - this is the culture (under Ashley) which Rafa is up against.

Nah (unless there's an agreed price to purchase, at the end of the loan period) we're just paying loan fees each year, to survive, for the privilege of being the childcare centre for Chelsea's top youth talent.

I like this idea. It narrows the margin of error for zombie clubs and 'bum' & incompetant owners like Ashley (who sanction Jan sell-offs without replacing key players, because 40 points or close to it have been banked). Although when the stakes are this high keep any such play-off/s away from Wembley - lower placed teams have to travel to an away venue. This way the previous 38 fixtures still have value.

On principle I'm against the likes of Chelsea stockpiling Europe & England's top youth talent, only to loan them out to EPL sides (to develop & evaluate them in the top flight). I oppose the system, so it's a No from me ie. Batsuhayai.

Ashleynomics comes into play, so if the reported 38m release clause was actually 3.8m I'd be inclined to believe it.