sushimonster85

Could be a PR thing. They know it may not be the most popular signing, so if they can get it out there as much as possible that Everton were wanting 60m, and then we announce at 'undisclosed' but brief that it's 35m (then whisper with add-ons up to 50) it makes it more palatable.

They'd be daft not to. Genuinely think they could get 20,000+ if they're charged a tenner a ticket or similar.

That Jac Talbot lad on twitter claiming we have offered £35m (rising to £50m with add-ons). Says he needs to verify on Everton's response, but seems to be intimating they will accept.

Really? Only seen him linked with Leeds.

No. Doesn't change my opinion that they have a far better idea about scouting/looking at players than we do.

Howe, Ashworth, and scouting team do. And I trust they have a far better eye for this stuff than we do.

I don't like Gordon. He seems like a twat, and on top of that it doesn't seem like he offers a whole lot more to the starting 11 than what we already have. Decent depth option. That being said, people who know way more about this than I (Howe, Ashworth, the scouting team etc) seem to really rate him. And I trust them. So if he is who they want, I'm onboard.

I think the issue we have with our transfer strategy is the unknown quantity that is next season. It's looking increasingly nailed on that we will be playing some form of European football next season. At the start of the season a Europa/Conference League place would have been seen as the more natural progression. As it is, it looks like we may even end up with a CL spot. The elephant in the room for next season is Chelsea and Liverpool. There's no way either will be as bad next season, so even if we do nab a CL spot this season, I still think the the realistic goal next season is to try and consolidate our spot as a top 6 side. So thinking pragmatically, if the goal next season is likely going to be the same regardless of where we finish, do we alter spending plans drastically in order to secure a temporary spike. Because wherever we finish this year I still think the ultimate goal is consistent CL football in 2/3 years, rather than from this season onwards.

Yeah, think they're at least putting a bid together/talking to the players reps.

A stIkEr hAs tO ScOre gOaLs Or thEy'Re PoiNtLesS LolZ Chris Wood was vital last season in allowing us to play the kind of style that ultimately kept us up. Have we since moved past that? Yep. Doesn't diminish his contribution last season.

Do Chelsea have scouts of their own, or do they just use everyone else's?

Anyone else remember waking up on the last day of the Jan window last year and suddenly (for a couple hours anyway) it seemed like Ekitike would get done as well?

Isn't £40m the supposed price we were willing to go to in the Summer? Think that story is just that bit of info re-hashed.

Haven't seen the actually video of him answering, but 'not being drawn' implies to me it's something that's being considered/worked on. Usually Eddie will just come out and deny any specific player links if theres nothing in them. Obviously Lampard going could impact any Gordon movement.

I actually think he is carrying a slight knock that they're trying not to draw attention to.

It's the "sorry, no" that came as he was leaving that makes me think he was answering the 'can you shed any light?' rather than 'is it happening?'

I must've watched that specific episode 3/4 times at this point. Stick it on if I need cheering up.

I actually think Howe would turn him into a hell of a player. Which I don't want for the little rat-faced shit head. Would much rather he disappeared into Championship/League 1 obscurity.

This is some 3D chess shit trying to get this move off. Never seen a thread created based on (largely) Twitter 'ITK' accounts. As far as I can see (outside of Hopes largely hedging article) the only people sure this is happening is Casey and that lad who keeps offering people ASDA pizzas if it turns out he's wrong. I'm going Chicken, Sweetcorn, Ham and BBQ sauce.

Think Thuram (Marcus) has already said he'd only go to Inter or Bayern(?) if he were to move in January.

Sky Sports saying they're relatively straight forward conditions. Imagine that means appearances.

For what it's worth, that Jacque Talbot lad reckons this isn't the case.

Not to be a pedantic twat, but it's 3 in 4 isn't it? Liverpool, Palace, Bournemouth and Fulham?

He has looked absolute dross this season. Second half of last season he looked like he was starting to understand how to use his pace and constant running to pin opposition full backs back, and make dangerous runs into the box. I do think Howe and his team could turn him into a useful player to have. That being said, the man is a little rat-faced cunt who attempts to wind players up constantly, and throws himself to the floor at the sniff of a challenge trying to win a free kick or pen. If he did sign (which I don't think he will, this is all Casey BS), it will take a looooong time to grow to even like the guy.

Conte's going to need a second hair transplant by the time he's done at Spurs.