Shadow Puppets

Yeah, that’s what I was told. I was expecting us, based on that info, to have gone all out to tie up the deal before Palace’s game 🤷‍♂️ That info came from a fairly well known agent by the way, whereas the info about how keen he is to join and how he expected the deal to be done imminently came from much much closer to home. (And as of Saturday they still expect it to get done)

Late October / early November earliest.

Out of curiosity, which “best CB in the world” do you envisage us being able to attract?

The same Thiaw who Milan fans are desperate to get rid of?

I think he may be quickly becoming my all-time favourite NUFC player. I love him to bits man… from laughing stock to monster midfielder, massive heart, great person. What a guy.

Don’t think that’s Eddie.

But by your reckoning they should both be sent off surely? They both move their heads together.

They both move their heads towards each other. Only one reacts like an absolute fanny. For me, if Schar gets a red, then Diaz should too.

The only update I could find out today was that as far as my contacts know, we haven’t walked away. Guehi is still expecting it to happen. When, I don’t know.

I’ll be seeing some people today that should know more. I’ll see what I can find out 👍🏻

Or this is all just part of a normal transfer, and it happens to all be playing out in public.

Clearly coming from Palace’s end.

I'll DM you just to keep this about Guehi.

God I hope so.

Have I shared any commercially sensitive info like? Must have missed that one.

🤣 Errr, no.

As I say, I haven't spoken to anyone in a couple of days, so it's just my gut feeling that we aren't done with this one yet (but that gut feeling is based on knowing how confident they have been even as recently as Wednesday). Just because Palace are saying we're not there yet doesn't mean we aren't close. The biggest problem with this transfer is that Palace are leaking every last detail of each bid. If that hadn't of happened and today was the first you were hearing of it, how would you feel? Probably quite excited, right? Transfers take weeks / months... it's just all part of the process.

Fair enough... I've never said (nor has anyone ever said to me) that a bid has been accepted.

They have thought it's imminent, yes. Because the level of confidence in it getting done has been so high. Imminent doesn't mean bid accepted... it means that they expect to reach an agreement imminently.

And no-one has ever said they'd agreed a fee. What I've been told, and have shared on here, is that last week (prior to the friendlies) we were very very confident that it would be done in time for him to play a part in those. Guehi had been talking to some of our players about life up here, and that he wants to and is expecting to join us. Also that there is some financial incentive for us to get it done prior to the season starting (something to do with a Chelsea clause). Then that didn't happen, but at the weekend I was told they were all still very confident that it would happen imminently. Then Parish came out with his spiel in the week, and I was told we were still interested and negotiating and it's still looking good... just brinksmanship... and that has proven to be true. I still feel like that's the case, but I haven't spoken to anyone in the last couple of days. The level of confidence on display is what makes me really think that it will eventually get done... I think it's just surprised everyone how long it's taking.

That doesn't mean to say we're not actively talking with other targets by the way... we probably are... I just don't think we've finished with this one.

How? It's not just one source, and everything they've told me has been pretty much correct, apart from the fact he hasn't signed yet. They are (or at least as of last time I spoke to them) very confident of getting him. They're also absolutely 100% correct that he wants the move. They just thought it would have happened sooner than this.

For what it's worth, purely based on what I've been told and how confident people have been about it happening, I don't think we'll walk away from this one just yet.

What's the common thread? They were all played out in public (largely due to their agents or the other clubs). The deals that went relatively under the radar or happened relatively quietly... Bruno, Isak, Tonali, Gordon... who knows how long most of those took to nail down.

😀 Not like you to be negative mate. A few things... 1) The only reason this seems like we're being messed around is because it's playing out in public. For example, I know for a fact that when we signed AG10, it was our fifth attempt that finally got him. But it never felt like we were being messed around... it's just the constant reporting that makes this one feel that way. 2) Thiaw is a decent player, but Guehi is considerably better. Howe has made it clear they're looking for players who can come in and make a difference immediately and improve the starting 11. I don't personally feel like Thiaw would do that. 3) Gonzalez is just agent talk I believe.