Transfer Rumours Transfer Rumours - Summer 2018

Yeah, £16m apparently. I assume there is a buy back clause in there

 

Good signing that.

 

Don’t forget Fiat owns Ferrari !

 

I really don’t know how salary details become public, and how accurate the supposed figures are. In any workplace, knowing that the guy next to you is being paid much more than you are is poisonous to the atmosphere. With the ridiculous wage inflation over the last few years, it’s inevitable. Strange times when fans spend so much time talking about the value for money and KPIs of the players. Just shows how football fans have actually embraced the fact of the game being a business. It’s no good being sad that the game is all about money these days, and then basing your assessment of a player mainly in terms of £s.

 

Think the Ronaldo move would be good for all involved. Real get good money for a 33 year old. Juve get a great player who although at the end of his career I think has still got at least three years left, who will potentially push them further in the CL and Ronaldo goes to a league which is probably slightly easier than La Liga so less strain/pressure and where he’s likely to get a league title every year.

I think Madrid need a bit of a rebuild and could go on a bit of a drought now. Their key players in the main are all getting to about mid-30s and I think the team will slow up. I think that’s why Zidane went, because it’s going to be a big job replacing the core of their team in the next few seasons and the manager is unlikely to last many (or one) trophyless season.

 

Not sure about Seria A being easier than La Liga tbh. Be interested to see how he does over there at this stage of his career

Though he is still good enough to thrive in any league, and Italian defences aren't what they used to be. I might watch a bit more Italian football on BT Sport now anyway - which might be partly the intention.

 

Got some great younger players though. Isco, Vazquez, Asensio, Varane along with the likes of Kroos and Bale who are in their prime. Struggle to see the drought on the horizon but don’t be surprised if they bring in 3 huge names if Ronaldo goes.

 

Carrillo, Forster and Boufal?

 

Not as unlikely as it sounds, I mean they did sign Faubert once upon a time!!

 

If being they in Neymar, mbappe and Kane!

 

Clasie back to Feyenoord nearly done ✅

 

I thought it was odd that he went to China tbh. Seemed one of the most likely to be moving on and being half way round the world seemed strange.

 

Just over a month until we can no longer buy players, bring it on.

 

Also out of interest as there is basically a month left of the window, what else do we think we need to sign? Ideally we still have a lot of work to do, but I am doubtful we get it all done in one window.

I'd say getting rid of Carrillo/Boufal/Clasie/Forster/Long/Davis would be ideal and help free up a lot of wage space. But if we did this we would need to be signing replacements for 3 or 4 of those, plus the much needed centre back, which is far too much to do in a month.

 

Probably not a 100% certain....unlike Boufal and Carrillo....so didn't want him to miss preseason.

 

Wouldn't be surprised if Long is still here beginning of the season.

 

There has been no indication that he is going. We could do with another out and out striker, but getting another one in and keeping Long aren't mutually exclusive.

 

I wouldn't either, and I actually rate Long far higher than most. But I am also not blinded enough to realise that he would be on good wages, is the wrong side of 30 and if we are looking to refresh/update the squad then I'd imagine he would be pretty high up the list of ideal outs.

 

He's good at what he does (I don't include goals unfortunately) and managers know they can depend on him. I'm guessing Hughes likes him in the squad.

 

What your “average” football fan doesn’t realise is Shane Long is a defenders living nightmare!! They only see his goal record which we all know could be a lot better. I’d challenge anyone to find another striker in the Premier league who puts in the same work rate as Shane does week in week out. Defenders ****ing hate playing against people like that who challenge for and chase every loose ball and are constantly snapping at their heels, and he’s also decent in the air to. IMO he’s massively under appreciated as a footballer.