sushimonster85

Would likely be a vast improvement tbf.

Have people got the goalkeeper and the Everton midfielder mixed up here?

Depends. I can see a younger player, for example that Nmecha lad, being ok knowing he is coming in with the idea that he will have to fight for a place rather than be an automatic starter.

Assuming this likely means no training kit (or warm up gear) sponsor.

Looking forward to getting into next week. Feels like these international games are the last (of the never ending) 'nothing much will happen till after X' hurdles.

Anyone got a prediction for the random evening bombshell? Last night Barella, couple days ago that Felix lad? I'm going to mix it up a little and say it will be someone saying talks for Kulusevski are actually advanced with Juve.

I swear, Daniel Levy is becoming the parody of himself.

Agree with most of what's been said today. Think he will be a big player for us next season. The way he spoke after the Chelsea game about his fitness and wanting to get better makes me think his season has actually started now with the U21's. When that's done I can see him wanting to join up with the squad (who will be back for pre-season by then) right away rather than having any sort of break. A player with the pace Gordon has matched up with the fitness Howe & coaching team demand could be devastating.

Not sure I'd go that far, but I do think there's a case to made for a merger with realistic targets. Now we've had a top 4 finish and are backed by considerable means, there aren't many who could be deemed as 'unrealistic'. Barella is one of the best midfielders in the world and several sources have now said we're interested, they just vary in how far along our interest has gotten.

In his defence, the 75m figure was Hope, not Edwards.

Aye. Feels like it could turn into a proper 'saga' this one.

Think the 25-30m figure was specifically baked into Spurs loan deal for a permanent transfer. Imagine on the open market he would be closer to 40m.

Going to ignore a lot of the noise around this one and take away the one pretty nailed on positive. That our interest has at least been stood up by a lot of different sources now (to varying degrees obviously) shows the calibre of player we are after. Whether that means there will be 4 or 5 signings of varying quality, or 2 properly elite ones, who knows. But It's good to know that there's a concerted effort to bring our starting 11 closer to being properly 'elite'. Because that's Barella. He gets into pretty much any side in Europe.

Don't want to be a killjoy but imagine this falls down. Either he will knock the move back, or the 50m price tag will bring in everyone. He is absolutely good enough to play for the very best sides in Europe.

Feel like it's less likely now Casey is spouting off. Putting a fiver on him going to Spurs.

Aye, he's a good player, but he isn't going to leave Milan. Even with some of the behind the scenes turmoil there. He grew up supporting Milan, and will be there for the rest of his career.

Next year is going to be tough. There's an average drop off of 8 league positions the following season after a side first qualifies for Europe. Some of our fanbase are going to be unbearable if we experience anything like that. Dreading them already.

6 on my first go round. Got undone by The Amex v Carrow Road.

This. Don't get me wrong. I don't want him, and don't rate him as better than either Botman or Schar. But his descent into becoming a comedy figure means it gets overlooked that he is actually pretty decent. We can turn our noses up at him, given what we have and our potential resources to upgrade at CB down the line, fanbases like Villa absolutely shouldn't be.

Strong chance. Guessing we wait to see if Karius accepts, given he will have offers from elsewhere. If he stays here I highly doubt it would to be as 3rd choice. Would likely mean Dubravka is off and Karius is official the number 2.

Can knock the Tonali thing on the head straight away. Unless some other big scandal rocks Italian football he will be at Milan his entire career.

I know it seems this way, but I think that's because we're the current highest profile club for whom FFP is an.. issue is too strong a word, is a consideration. By all accounts there are plenty other in the PL worse off than us in terms of FFP handcuffs. Wolves, Everton and Forest all have to act very carefully this Summer.

The only upside of this potential Qatari takeover of Man U is we should get a break from being the side agents/outlets try to link with every player alive.

Interesting no other journo's seem to be standing this up, aside from the aggregator outlets who reported the initial story. Last night when Edwards first put it out I thought it had Isak vibes of something suddenly breaking and would then be pretty much wrapped up in the next day or two. No one else seems to be running with this.

It's made from a different, far more lightweight material. Way more breathable as well. If you've ever bought a dedicated top for exercise they're similar to that.