Personally I'd have Ake over Smalling - like Smalling but he is injury prone - Ake looks a great prospect and from a businees perspective could be sold on in the future for a handsome profit ... Smalling's value, in contrast, is more likely to decrease ...
TBH I would prefer us signing Ferrari - more I read about him, the more I think he could do the job - if future sales is a factor then someone that just made the Italian team could make a bigger profit then someone bought for £20M. Gibson has a £25M fee put on him by Boro - dunno if we still are interested but is making Maguire look more of a bargain.
We are linked with Thorgan Hazard again and Mendy has been interviewed being "obsessed" about a potential move to Bordeaux https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Nampalys-mendy-veut-rejoindre-bordeaux/813899
Had to laugh at the comments from Mendy's agent ... apparently Bordeaux is the only club that reflects his client's 'stature' .... that would be "small" then?
Shame... if Mahrez does and Gray replaces him, Lawrence would be a superb impact sub. At least until January to give him a chance - he was a class above the championship last year I'm lead to believe. Shame about Mahrez if true - we should stick to our guns about £50m. £35m in this market takes the piss
This is Wenger we are talking about, he doesn't spend big ever. Newcastle were in a prime position to monitor Lawrence last season, so of they have made a bid then thats a promising sign. Would still be a backup for Grey/Albrighton for me, but will keep them on their toes.
I'm hoping to see both Gray and Lawrence given some extended game time ... Kap[utska too ... the latter has fabulous technique ... time to let the youth show what they can do ...
Based on the season he's just had, £35m is generous. I know you might say he has done great things in the past and so has the potential to do them again, but if I were a supporter of any team considering buying him I would be looking at last season overall and remembering how little he offered.
I think the key words from Ed are in this market. There's players who have done a lot less going for more and similar amounts which on that basis I'd agree that we shouldn't accept £35mill. The whole market is a joke though
Mahrez, should take a long hard look at himself, if he was half as good as he thinks he his, he would not be a bad player!
... perhaps he might even go on to win the PFA Player Of The Year Award, or the Confederation of African Football (CAF)'s Player of the Year award, or the BBC's African Footnaller of The Year Award? .. if he managed any of those at another club we'd be raving about the prospect of signing such a player ... For me, it has been a rare priviledge to watch someone of his immense talent play in the blue shirt ... ..I wish him all the best ... without him the "dream" really would not have come true
Yep wish him all the best, but after his poor season just past, cant say i will be devastated to see him go, if we can get 35m+ for him. We were carrying him for many games last season, he doesnt put a shift in and wont tackle (if he does it is powder puff!) a team like us cannot afford to carry a luxury player like him. The top sides can and so he may well do better after he moves on. My dream would be to get Gylfi in, but dont see that happening. I see Everton are on the verge of splashing another 25m on Keane. They are going for it arent they!!!
Not sure why you want your playmaker making tackles and chasing after the ball - I'd want him ready to recieve the ball and attack like he in our Permier League winning season - is the reason why Simpson has done well for us as he does all the defending and leaves the attacking duties for Mahrez. He well deserved all the plaudits in our Champions season and while he didn't reach those heights last season, the entire team was guilty of that as well - tbh I am much more disappointed in Drinkwater's performances last season then Mahrez's. That he gave us an extra season when the likes of Arsenal were ready to buy him on the cheap like they nearly did with Vardy is commendable. That he want's to move now and given us the entire transfer window to find a replacement is fine. That he might stay because no one meets our valuation is OK with me as well.
We have been offered Gaston Ramirez for £10m and said no - guess we are still in the hunt for Siggurdson http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/l...-10m-ramirez/story-30416203-detail/story.html Bart's agent has also confirmed he is looking for another club http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/l...is-in-demand/story-30415875-detail/story.html Is interesting that his transfer fee is listed as £2m - rest probably was add ons.
I agree Mahrez has class, but he lacks attitude and dedication, and they are just as important for me. His performances last season were simply unforgivable and disrespectful to team mates and the fans. If he was as fiercely competitive as he claims to be ambitious then I'd want to keep him, but he isn't, so best he goes.
His loss though - if he tried harder he'd be due for a bigger move now. Being linked with a 20 year old welsh youngster from Coventry