Kooiman

It's going to be a challenge for them I know that. I was able to catch their pre-season game today and while I can see some of their new signings taking it's going to be far harder for some of those that have been on the whole journey. Patrick Roberts doesn't look quick enough to cause Premier League players real problems, and if they try Luke O'Nien at the back I can see him being ripped to shreds.

I think if nothing else they'll be a significantly better attacking threat. To your point though, I could see Matheus Cunha having a strop when he realizes his teammates 15th for a reason. I'm not entirely sure how they fix the midfield and defense. In isolation, these two players are very talented, but I'm not convinced signing both was a necessary priority. I've no idea what their arrival means for someone like Amad Diallo, who I thought looked quite good last season in amongst the team's overall struggles. Then there are the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, Joshua Zirkzee, Rasmus Hojlund, Chido Obi who are all impacted in some form or another (I threw Fernandes in there because I can't see him playing in the two man midfield that Ruben Amorim seems to favor). Perhaps Amorim's plan is to play Matheus Cunha through the middle, but you can bet him and Mbeumo are on to start whenever possible. I think Hojlund has had enough chances to prove himself but I don't see how they get rid of him. Zirkzee might actually thrive with more talented players around him, but that doesn't feel like the expectation. Chido Obi likely needs a loan of some kind unless he hits form in pre-season and pushes his way past the likes of Zirkzee and Hojlund. Then there's Mason Mount just sitting there. I loved Mount when he was breaking through at Vitesse and Derby. I totally got the hype and why people thought he might be that heir to Frank Lampard. When I saw him last season he look bereft of confidence and what little agility he had in his younger days. There's £170m worth of player with no obvious space or future in the team. I know it's spilled milk at this point, but christ alive, they do seem to just be funneling money into the furnace season after season (even if I think these two players are actually good).

Slight mis-translation there. It's saying we're transferring Mo Sedibeh to Conquense. I think the author is alluding to it being a big transfer for Conquense, I assume because they play in the lower divisions of Spain, and we're a Premier League team.

Reading the article it seems intellectually dishonest, and seeing Ben Jacobs as a byline doesn't surprise me. In short, we offered £1m more up front, but they offered more on the back end.

That's fine, but we also signed Sandro Tonali, a Serie A champion and senior international, when we were in arguably a lesser financial position. I don't think there's one path to paradise here. Losing out on Liam Delap and Joao Pedro can be considered a blow, that's fine, but I think where I struggle is the notion that in our attempt to do something (which I commend them for, staying stationary is going backwards) we're potentially ending up with Yoan Wissa or players in that bracket. One might argue that we saw with Chris Wood how goals aren't always transferable and can often be dictated by system and style. I see more parallels between Burnley and Brentford than I do between Brentford and ourselves. I look at players like Bruno and Botman, guys who were on the periphery of the elite in mainland Europe, and wonder why our energy appears to be more focused on domestic players that come at a premium. It was that type of thinking that got us Alexander Isak. Perhaps the names just aren't there, and I'm trying to be mindful of my own ignorance here.

I think that's why I find it difficult. We need to improve, both in terms of depth and quality and I'm debating if Wissa satisfies both of this criteria not only now but in 12 months time. If we assume Alexander Isak's future is hard to predict, we need to be mindful of that with who we're signing. In 12 months time would we be content knowing Wissa might have to lead the line for a bit? My days of watching every football league I could get my hands on are long gone and for that reason I can't list names of who I think we should be going for. Despite that, I would question why our focus seems so intent on domestic signings when our best deals appear to be imports.

This one is difficult for me. I perceived this summer as being an ambitious one given the change in our PSR status. I don't feel like Yoane Wissa typifies an ambitious signing for a club in the Champions League with hopes of pushing higher. That view is reinforced by who we're battling to sign him. I think he's a great signing for a team just outside that top 6 or 7 that want to try and bridge the gap. Watching his highlights paints him as a good athlete and a consistent finisher. In the same way I had reservations about Bryan Mbeumo repeating his numbers outside of the Brentford system, I do question if Yoane Wissa would get those same types of chances with us. I also wonder if he can be the out ball we need sometimes. That's a question I don't have an answer too as I don't watch enough of him. The fact he's approaching 29 isn't ideal, but some footballers age more gracefully than others.

It's a grubby truth of the game that the arms race for 'the best and brightest' on the pitch always required someone to pick up the cost. When sponsorships need to be 'means tested' and traced back to source club were always likely to start passing that cost onto the fans. The Premier League is perhaps the worst example of those, but the snake has been eating itself for some time (a problem arguably enhanced by the likes of Abramovich and Man City).

I would concur with you on this and reiterate that Man City—who know him better than anyone—don't think he represents good value for money at £40m. The same club spent £35m on Ederson 8 years ago. In a broader sense, I agree, the rules have been created in a way that insulates certain teams from consequences.

Even if they displayed a blatant disregard for the rules there are 115 reasons they were never going to do a Manchester City, at least in the short term. Until that case is final it would be unwise to cross the same bridge.

I enjoyed watching at the Euros. I can't see anyone stumping up £35m though. He has a good football IQ and technique, but the physical side of his game is somewhat lacking. He needs a settled role now. He's playing centrally for England, but had his best form on the right for Sheffield United. I can't imagine Nottingham Forest see him as a winger, unless they're about to change their style considerably. West Ham seems a more natural fit.

I think in the same way we're skeptical of Ekitike that rationale can apply to James Trafford. He's had one top flight season and his team were relegated. That's not on him per se, but a cursory glance of Fbref indicates he underperformed on a personal level. This past season his numbers were far more positive, but you need to weigh both up. Nick Pope, for comparison has been in the positive column for the same expected goals metric during all three of his seasons with the club. Granted, Trafford has a giant upside being so young and having the ability to contribute in build up. The £40m question, however, is does Trafford's elite Championship form translate next season?

Genuine question for those saying this should have been wrapped up weeks ago; are you advocating paying the £40m that Burnley are/were asking for?

Perhaps he makes me (and other doubters) look very stupid, but that feels like a chronic overpay for a young man with little goalscoring pedigree and an awkward looking technique in open play.

The nature of sweeping also dictates you will make the odd mistake.

Speaking from experience?

I'm always inclined to hear or read the question that was asked to understand the answer that was given. If he's held back from the tour in Asia I'd be more concerned, but as of right now, if Eddie Howe tells me he's making the calls I'm happy with that.

If I'm understanding Sky Sports correctly it sounds like Manchester City want to negotiate a reduction of the buyback clause they have on Trafford? In that case it sounds like we aren't the only ones that value him at a certain level and don't wish to budge. I get the sense we're still in a phase of existence where clubs think there's more money to be had because of the owners. Ironically, some of those clubs will have voted in favor of things like PSR which actually hampers their ability to negotiate higher. Parking the pageantry of negotiations for a second, I'm largely ok with the club holding firm. My leading concern with Nick Pope is his fitness. It would be nice to have a 'modern goalkeeper' but I don't consider Pope a second prize.

Go well Sean. By all accounts a lovely young lad (not that I've had the pleasure of meeting him). I'm glad his career here ended on a high. There felt like tremendous promise when he broke through under Rafa Benitez, and had he stayed I think Sean may have developed even further. The club have done a far better job than I can of summarizing his time here, but all in all, I hope he leaves happy at what he achieved. If the Club keeps moving on the path it intends to it'll be a lot harder for the next crop of local lads to break through, and for that reason I will enjoy each one that has managed it even more.

Driven past it many a time.

Does that mean you're from over Stanley way? I saw Lewis put on his Instagram he was training at a school and it looked one in Stanley.

No, I think he'd be linked away regardless. He's one of the best forwards in Europe. When Isak signed his contract in 2022 he wasn't a sure thing. The club were rewarded for taking that risk, but since then the accolades speak for themselves. He's managed two seasons with over 20 goals, he's scored in the Champions League, and he delivered a first domestic trophy in 70-years. The ambitious nature of our project suggests he can see a future for himself here (barring an offer from Real Madrid or someone like that). I would predict the problem is that his current contract reflects where he was in 2022 not who he is in 2025. After Anthony Gordon's contract extension last year I'd guess several players being ahead of Isak in terms of salary. It's his agent's job to agitate so that he's at least making the same (if not more). I could build a case for why Liverpool wanted those press stories to circulate earlier in the week. Now they've seemingly dropped off and Al-Hilal stories have replaced them it indicates a consistent source is doing the talking.

There's been a few that have exited Eintracht Frankfurt with bags full of potential that they never unpacked. Randal Kolo Muani put up similar numbers to Hugo Ekiktike and cost only marginally less than what is being asked for Ekitike. Luka Jovic has bounced around places without ever breaking double figures. Andre Silva had a brilliant season in Frankfurt but has steadily declined while at RB Leipzig. Sebastien Haller didn't cut the mustard in England, but I wouldn't want to ignore the personal burdens he's had to carry during his career. Omar Marmoush managed a respectable tally for Man City, but I'll be very curious to see how he performs this season. Some Eintracht supporters suggest it’s not the man, but the method. That the players don't fit the system at their new club. Perhaps we've identified a tactical similarity between ourselves and Eintracht Frankfurt. Some of my caution is founded upon how little margin for error we have with these top signings. We don't have the buffer that teams like Chelsea and Man Utd benefit from when signing a whopper.

I haven’t read enough of the posts here to know what the general feeling is, but I’ll admit I wasn’t especially excited by the prospect of signing him. Of course, the people making decisions at the club are far better equipped than I am to judge a player’s quality and value. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something didn’t sit right. Maybe it was the fact he turned us down previously, or perhaps his relatively modest goal return in the Bundesliga, either way, the usual excitement I feel around a big signing just wasn’t there. I understand the logic behind bringing in a project player who needs some polish. That’s part of the game. But I've seen several forwards who’ve left Eintracht Frankfurt in recent years that haven’t thrived after moving on.

I now feel confident in assuming that his agent was the one briefing the press earlier this week. He wants a new contract for his client, and dare I say he's earned it. I can't speak to the nitty gritty of the financials, but hopefully we can facilitate his requests. These types of sagas are part of being back at the top table, so they don't concern me too much. We'll win some, we'll lose some.