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And no doubt will be picked up and used by those wanting to criticise us

Looks gloomy in his squad photo -only others not smiling are Lascelles (looking mean) and Ashby (failing to look cool)

Of course we still do not know what the true picture is but just over fifty years ago this is what manager Joe Harvey had to say after striker Micky Burns refused to play for the reserves.

His agent has 158 clients according to Transfermarkt with most of them having little value. Isak at 120m represents almost a third of the total value so you can see why he is so desperate for Isak to move. He and Martinez are the only players who are going to give him a windfall.

In one of the recent press conferences Howe said something like “I only wish all options were still on the table” - not aware that any reporters followed up by asking which option(s) were not, even though he would have probably said that he could not answer. He usually makes these sort of comments for a reason.

I think the only reason we are still involved is because they want to push up the price Man U have to pay as high as possible. Surely going there if they meet the minimum requirement.

Thank you, your reply has made me feel a little less concerned!

Can’t help thinking that we have a bigger problem here relating to the lack of a DoF. Andy Howe is allegedly doing the job temporarily but there are huge risks with this. If he gets the PSR calculations wrong we could end up in a situation of needing to sell under pressure again therefore no doubt this will be causing extra caution in deals. Also I very much doubt whether he will have been given authority to amend contracts and Howe said no discussions had taken place on an Isak contract. There was talk of a new contract for Livramento too, almost certainly stalled too. The DoF we have supposedly decided on is currently at Nottingham Forest. I cannot see any situation where they let him leave during the transfer window and may even want a period of gardening leave after that. Who knows whether Mitchell was pushed or resigned but his departure has clearly had major ramifications.

The online media is fuelled by clicks and then sky 6 have the largest worldwide “fanbases” so that’s where they want all the best players. Ditto for the broadcasters.

More like 1976 when Macdonald talked about taking the club to Court if they didn’t allow him to leave before he was sold to Arsenal. We didn’t sign anybody but secured our best finish since the early fifties despite Manager Gordon Lee resigning. Of course we got relegated the next season (1977/78).

The silence from PIF is deafening, poor Eddie has to act as press officer now as well.

I’d forgotten that Van Djik went on strike at Southampton to force his move to Liverpool, now I wonder who might have pit the idea in Isak’s head.

I think it would me madness to let Isak go this summer, we need to keep him here for another season. We have missed out on all our first targets and now Sesko seems to be the only viable alternative. And Sesko will almost certainly end up at Man U, once PIF have given them some money for their cast offs. We also have to replace Calum Wilson. We are relying on unqualified and inexperienced people to carry out the negotiations which carries a huge risk. And if, god forbid, they allow Isak to go before we have signed two players then PIF really are incompetent. It is highly possible we won’t be able to get decent replacements and clubs will hike their prices knowing we are both cash rich and desperate.

Trevan Sanusi just seems to like nearly all his insta posts, whoever they are about. I don’t think he is putting much thought into it.

And to make matters worse if we try and use that avenue the price will be knocked down to “fair value”. Richest owners in the World and we end up losing out!

Personally I don’t think they have made it clear, all we have is what journalists are saying and the odd comment from Eddie Howe. I know it is not so usual these days but that is not a reason not to do it. Parrish does it all the time.

We have had some terrible owners in the past but bar Ashley they would certainly have come out fighting in the press making it very clear he is going nowhere unless it is in our interests to sell.

It is about time we had a direct quote from PIF on the matter rather than another journalist making statements without naming a source. If I was Eddie Howe I would make it very clear that I would have to consider my position at the club if Isak was sold before a replacement was bought.

During the transfer window it is absolutely imperative to have people with ability AND authority to make speedy decisions. If we are having to rely on getting the nod from PIF officials then it is no wonder we are so slow. Disastrous mistake not to have replacement for Eales at the very least in place in time. We are a small project compared to many other of their investments and will often be working in different time zones too.

Get Al Hilal to put in an offer that we would accept from Liverpool. Accept the offer and tell Liverpool they can match it if they want to otherwise no deal. alternatively ask Big Joe to “persuade him” to sign his contract

Got to wonder whether we are now very low in PIF’s priorities now they know how restrictive PSR and APT are.

Perhaps should offer Barcelona, Madrid loan with mandatory purchase by end of next June (assuming cannot afford now) which will mean we are covered PSR wise and can spend the money. Whatever, if we are selling then we should refuse to do so until we have a replacement (in addition to Wissa) securely lined up

Read somewhere, but can’t remember where, that Bruno’s contract has a clause that his salary should be largest or equal largest therefore if Isak’s was increased above Bruno’s then they would have to finance both their increases. Seems like a very bad clause to put in Bruno’s contract if it is true as he is not the best player at the club now and will not necessarily be in the future.

Fans were united in their condemnation of the attempted creation of a ring fenced Euro Super League. The unity seems to have disappeared now they are achieving virtually the same aims through financial restrictions.

Not sure how many people will be enticed by a replica of the League Cup mind.