sushimonster85

I want a live reaction shot of Max when Conte starts to explain to him how he is going to be a wing back.

Based on links that are starting to firm up, looks like it could be: Henderson (GK) Botman (CB) Lodi (LB) Diaby (RW or LW) Which would be some window. Still could do with backup for Wilson

Comfortably. I know Scott Wilson mentions in his tweet we will go close to our transfer record for Diaby, but in reality we will need to break it to get him. £50m at least.

Believe the Commissioner Gordon thread turned around to make some melancholic remark about the Joker's latest rampage, and when it turned back the Botman thread had vanished.

Totally agree that that will be his role going forward. But much in the same way Howe had to step up and play a much more direct role in recruitment in Jan than he is normally used to, I imagine that will also be the case with Ashworth this Summer. He isn't going to come in and immediately have everything in place. And to get everything in place during a transfer window is going to be very tricky. As Chris' tweet suggests, whilst he won't be involved in identifying players, I imagine he will have a large hand in direct negotiations with other clubs. After the Summer is when he can start his job proper.

Imagine he wouldn't mind being backup at Man Utd. Genuinely pretty shocked they want him.

Definitely. Don't think that will actually be his long term role. Read a very interesting piece on him (The Athletic I believe) where he has mentioned rather than having any one job, he sees himself as the centre of a wheel, with multiple different departments that branch off and report to him. Scouting, recruitment, data analysts, academy, first team coach etc. But think this Summer he will be in a similar position to the one Howe was in in January in pitching in very directly with transfers.

Can you give me an example? I am genuinely struggling to recall a moment this season where we have tried to set an offside trap and been caught out.

Same. Really hoping we get him (and a chief exec) sorted ASAP, ideally before the window opens on 10/6.

Think the Lodi links have been around the longest, so I'm betting it's him.

I don't know if we have better targets. But I'm pretty confident Carlos wasn't a target, otherwise we would have been far more heavily linked this week/would've got him. The price only being 31m Euro's suggests there was no one else in for him.

Would rather go back in for Botman. That being said, you can tell we're no longer in for Carlos, asking price has magically dropped 10m Euros.

It's (slow) days like today that really make me feel like this Summer will feel like it's taking forever. Still two weeks till the window even opens man.

When the mask slipped for a second and he admitted he hated that it was us this was happening to.

If you want to get conspiratorial, lines up with the private jet activity yesterday.

Oh, absolutely. I just think they won't go full pelt till all that starts to fall into place, or you end up in the situation Everton have found themselves in.

Yep, and you have to remember, with amortisation that means it would also be £60m+ off the accounts for each of the coming 5 years before you even sign anyone else.

They do genuinely have a lot of money backing them, and are willing to spend it. There's a belief among the Villa fans that their board have actually accelerated their plans due to our takeover (have a few mates from down that way). Makes sense, as the only real chance they have of getting ahead of us is being faster out the blocks initially. You have to imagine once we get our eggs in a row with sponsorships/commercially we will fly past them.

Are people still taking the Bowen thing seriously?? If you actually follow the link to that guys tweet he follows it up by basically confirming he is taking the piss.

Maybe, but at least Luke Edwards won't take a shit on your bed.

The Bowen thing is bullahit. If you click into the tweet he basically admits he is winding people up in his next tweet.

He has definitely been back in France since that trip. Was on the bench for Lyon the weekend after.

When they have a bunch of priorities they aren't going to sign two left backs, both of whom would expect to first choice. Dummett (& Burn who played there for Brighton) is the back up option.

Take away from this is Harry Kane needs a better agent! I think we now have 2 people on more that Joe. I have seen both £120k p/w for Bruno and £150k, not sure which is accurate. And I'm sure I saw £100k p/w for Trippier somewhere. Pretty sure ASM went level with Joelinton when they re-negotiated his deal.

People putting 2 and 2 together and getting 43.