Thumbheed

I guess the reason I thought he was number 1 target is that we have history there and we've made a clear attempt to sign him again. But yes, there's no proof that we havent stalled making an increased offer because we have other irons in the fire that are our actual preferences. I'm sceptical that's the case though as I don't imagine any selling clubbing not leaking our interest in the hope to agitate further interest. The news about the Trafford, Pedro and Elanga bids wouldn't have come from our side. The above point probably negates the need to answer the second part, but for the sake of discussion, by all accounts Brighton rejected 1 maybe 2 of our offers. Of course Chelsea could and probably would have been a threat no matter, but it surprises me - on the assumption he was our number 1 target - that we hadn't at least agreed on a fee at any point.

I hope so but I can't for the life of me understand how the club could expect to get him if they weren't willing to go the extra lengths to get their number 1 option.

Based on the fact Pedro would probably come in as a 10, then I can see us maybe moving on to Kudus who could also offer the same versatility with a preference for operating in the middle. Hope so tbh.

This one hurts

Because Everton had a good 15 game spell, where if im correct, he didn't play much? Admittedly because of injury but there's a very good player in there for a very very good price.

He hasn't, no doubt. But are there many who have over the past few years for Everton? I'd say look at his qualities and what he has achieved when things are aligned. Add the financial incentive and its a smart bit if business. As with every player we sign, I take into account the next level that Howe seems to get out of them and judge them on that, not what they've done historically. We more than anyone should understand that.

What point are you attempting to make?

The slander is mad. It's almost like we don't know the impact of playing in a good side compared to a shite one.

I can handle the slow progress, but at least give me some fake juicy rumours for me to YouTube scout at least. Pathetic from journos tbh, more than happy to be lied to at this trying time.

Would be surprised by that, it'd be a completely different profile of player would offer no way near what Pedro would offer us.

Wonder who they've got down as plan B just in case this is not a goer. Still think it'll happen but curious what that might look like because Pedro's a really unique player imo.

I really hope we're casting our eye on Bakayoko in addition to Elanga, especially for the reported £20m. As reluctant as I'd be to sell Barnes - purely because Gordon has a far higher ceiling - having 2 right footed left wingers who can only play on the left is pretty restricting tactically, as we found out at times last year. Having Gordon on the left with Elanga being equally adept on both wings and Bakayoko as a further high quality option on the right (and maybe left too) gives us some much more flexibility tactically. Dream stuff but I can't see a valid reason not trying for it seeing as we'd recoup the cost from Barnes anyway.

Isak, Gordon, Pedro and Elanga on the counter would be terrifying for any defence in the world.

Tonali isnt let anyone get past him.

Akliouche was Monaco's player of the season? Ekitike ironically is a good case in point, by your own affirmation had a sensational season and is valued at just over £70m which includes a premium as a striker and yet is valued around Pedro's range...what's his value going to be should he replicate that in the PL? As for flipping lesser known talent into high value sales being rare? Well, isnt that exactly what alot of Europe do? Milan, Dortmund, RB, the big Portugal sides, Lyon, Napoli, Lille, Atlanta to name a few, add Brighton, Brentford and even Bournemouth to the mix if you like and you have a significant number of excellent clubs who are consistently identifying undervalued talent, developing them and turning them over for significant sums of money which in most cases are still under their actual value.

No value in Europe is a mad take. A player can have a sensational season in the European market (Akliouche, Diomande) and be worth £50-60m tops. A player who has a sensational season in this league will be worth twice that if he's bought at that price - literally all of our player bought from abroad are worth double what they were bought for minimum. It is the literal definition of value.

Elanga is a souped up version of Murphy and has the added bonus of being able to play both wings. I'm not sure why we wouldn't want that but there's no bad pick out of the 3 names mentioned.

I hate you too with a name like that

Let's not sell Joelinton. He's the embodiment of what we are.

I can't see Bruno or Tonali getting dropped, but equally, I can't see us signing a 60m player for him to sit on the bench. I think his skillet lends itself to getting the best out of the wingers and Isak, in particular, so if one had to make way itd be Big Joe, who'd become a key tactical sub in almost any scenario.

I think we'll shift to 4231

Agree, it's a massive fee but if Pedro had torn it up in this league he wouldn't be worth just £60m. Only reason Man U got Cuhna for £62.5 was because he had a clause...

The more I think about this, the more excited I am. He's one of 2 players I can think of who offer that unique blend of physicality and technique that operate in that number 10 role. Our play is actually pretty 1 dimensional in the sense Isak is dependant almost exclusively on width with very little creativity coming through the centre and can often be left isolated, so having a player like Pedro who can find those pockets in the centre, draw players out of position and link up our midfield with Isak will be invaluable. Comparing G/A with another player and saying x is better than y because of the fact is lazy analysis. Having a look at the impact that player might have on other players is equally, if not more important, and I believe Welbeck had his best ever goal scoring season this year. That is the real value of a player like Pedro.

Think what I like about our chances of this is we play a brand of football that upsets the bigger sides who we'd need to take points off to achieve that. Other sides try and just play the same brand of football better vs the top sides whereas our style and identity is uniquely different. There are teams I dread to play because theyre bogey sides, but not one single team now that I don't think we can beat, and not because it's an 'on our day' job, because we're good enough to go toe to toe with anyone now.

This is one of those signings that the smaller clubs buy, develop and sell for £60m in a years time. I know nothing about him tbh but if we've cast our eye on him im pretty certain he'll have a lot about him