Eddy Chibas

I can see a figure of 35m sealing the deal in a couple of weeks, with us insisting on the fee being paid in installments, leaving Rafa with a fortnight to rummage through the bargain bin (to sign a replacement, with the available cash in the bank).

Course we can, as long as there isn’t a bidding war. Well there's the snag. Not every deal becomes a bidding war. The problem is wolves will pay higher wages and agent fees I guess. ...... also City reportedly boosted his wage packet, under his current contract - to 50k a week. Most likely we can't compete.

Yup, they shit the bed. Simply won't be hauled into paying the going rate.

We tried at first to lowball Lejeune's already minimal release clause (in today's market), so news of an unsuccessful bid for another one with a clause (Rondon) doesn't surprise.

Is he a number 10? And at the same time we stuggle to spend more than £15m on a player. Fun times. Maybe we could try to get him on loan and scupper West Ham's plans. There's hope. Contract expires in a couple of years. Secure back-to-back season loans, and drive down the price. It's all about patience, and securing the perfect bargain deal.

Read somewhere (last week) that Chelsea might insert a hefty levy into the deal, as part of the loan, to combat us playing that game ie. we'll just run another year off his contract, use that as leverage and look to sign him at a discounted price (with only one year remaining on his contract).

Wonder what the club's budget is, in comparison to other PL clubs with Category One rated academies (and those below the top flight). Wouldn't surprise me if we're only spending the bare minimum required to land & maintain the rating, which we achieved after missing out the first time a few years back.

That single tier stand, when full, is going to look impressive on matchdays (or evenings) if the supporters embrace The Wall of White concept.

Two more chances that Wor Mike's marketing splash will blow up in his face. First time I've actively wanted Eng to falter deep in the tourney.

Probable win closer to Mike Ashley's marketing gamble (forking out for the trademark 'WC Winners') coming off. Not happy with the result so far

Exactly. £27m ffs.

Don't wish Shit Direct to gain any more exposure ie. have to download SD's app, to be eligible. Fuck England - I'll be cheering for the opposition from now on, to spite Ashley's marketing gamble (at this WC).

A season long loan deal (if we balk at the current price) will most likely add to the highlight reel footage & scouting reports, ultimately pushing him further out of the club's alternative reality in terms of what 'our' going rate is (which is years behind everybody else). Nee chance, I reckon, that Chelsea would agree to a buy option with a modest fee being attached to another loan. They'd be mad to do that. A hefty premium tends to accompany Chelsea's talented youngsters stuck in loan limbo, who on the fringe of their first team (but always pushed further away by mature, expensive new arrivals).

Happy that van Marwijk's Australia are being shown the exit

Exactly. He's just a hired headkicker (for the despot cunt on the left) imported from Sports Direct's inner sanctum

The reconfigured Ekaterinburg Arena is my favorite stadium at this WC.

Sisto's a nightmare to deal with, one-on-one. We have been monitoring (lol) him yeah?

Well we have form. One reason why the Lejeune's transfer was so drawn out. We agreed wages with Lejeune's agent, but tried to undercut the clause fee, and then attempted to pay what is a peanuts fee (in this market) in installments. We're so small time, and pathetic.

Thank fuck Martin Tyler isn't calling this one - such a quick tempo, with Mexico counterattacking at breakneck pace. His continual droning (about player X's movement in the transfer market) would have been on show in this one. MT's call of Portugal v Spain was terrible.

At the moment? More so than usual I guess. Years TV money with another to come guaranteed, best manager we've possibly ever had willing to stay... Lets do then guyz? Nah fuck that.

*= Control *=Control of the working class plebs

True, but I also factor in Ashley's obsession of having the club positioned at or near the top of the balance sheet championship. Paying that debt off in one swoop, pretties up the books quicker, rather than servicing it as Siss/Wijn's respective fees trickle in.

So according to the last set of accounts we still owe other clubs 25m for players we purchased. So it's the first time we have moved from our policy of playing upfront for incoming transfers. Guessing this applies to purchases of Ritchie and Gayle etc (in the window following relegation), possibly Lejeune etc the next Summer window. One reason why negotiations were drawn out (with Eibar, re: the Lejeune) was that Eibar wanted the fee paid in full, and we were haggling to cough up in installments. One thing I read about Ashley's acquisition of the club, it was grinding of the axe, was that part of the debt he inherited were the outstanding payments (bank loans) for player transfers. Speculative I know, but Ashley will probably hate having 25m still owing - goes against our usual buying policy. Could easily see a large chunk of any fee received (if Lascalles is sold) servicing that 'debt' (if we still owe it), leaving Rafa pennies to spend. This club is shortsighted enough to do just that.

Yes, but he's never had a problem with Carnley, the blockers are above Charnley. Exactly, Justin Barnes is appointed in December (just in time for the Jan transfer window, in the Champo season) and Rafa has been fighting against the immovable object ever since. Douglas reported that Barnes blocked a loan deal for Loftus-Cheek (with permanent option attached) during hos first window of blocking duties.