Looks like that defender we were linked to is going to Southampton. Probably could do with another one as we have a few who are injury prone .
I was talking with a Palace season ticket holder today and he believes Palace's take it or leave it offer for Will Hughes is not final. He is being informed that discussions are still ongoing with Palace upping their offer to between 7-8 million. He also can not see Hughes being an auto first-team p[layer based on their midfield and he would be joining as a squad player.
A strange one this - Palace bid £5m and get knocked back, so Burnley bid £5m too? Don't they follow the news there?
And not sure Hughes would suit Burnley's style! Also they definitely have relegation clauses in the players contracts. Plus probably pay much less than even we do.
Various sources claimed that Southampton have beaten Watford to the signing of Lyanco Vojnovic, but I am not convinced that Watford were ever interested in signing him. Adam Leventhal (in the FTRE podcast) said that he checked with three different sources and they all confirmed that Watford had no interest in signing Lyanco. Apparently signing a central defender is a low priority, although not an impossibility. Fabrizio Romano (an Italian journalist who supports Watford) reported on his twitter account that Lyanco will sign for Southampton for £7 million (plus £3 million in add-ons). His reports about transfers are generally very reliable and he referred to interest from Betis Sevilla and Celta Vigo in signing Lyanco, but he never mentioned Watford. Personally I think that Watford do need another centre back, who is both an experienced player and a quality central defender.
Premier League new boys Watford have set their sights on Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden according to the latest reports. Football Insider claims the Hornets are planning to lure the Chelmsford-born midfielder back to the south on a permanent basis.
I find the whole Hughes saga rather sad. A player that played a key part last season, is well liked by fans, seems to enjoy playing for us and could have played an important part in the premier league this season. Instead, some combination of greed on his part, bad advice from his agent, and intransigence from WFC look likely to lead to him having an (at best) sideways move while alienating fans who previously liked him and leaving a hole in the squad. I just think this whole situation could have been avoided, and everyone comes out looking bad.
Apparently talks are still ongoing, according to Sky Sports - "West Brom’s chances of landing a reunion with Yokuslu seem thin, then, with Sky Sports (Transfer Centre 25/08, 10:08) revealing that Watford are in talks with the Spanish side over a transfer." https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/w...nion-fading-as-premier-league-talks-detailed/ This as well as a rumoured £12million for Isaac Hayden - you never know who to believe...
Just to deflect away from the Hughes saga for a while, here's another one popping up again - Frank Fabra of Boca Juniors. I'm not convinced that we need another left back though - nor that we'd pay £18million for him. https://strikers.futbol/cracks/Fran...legada-a-la-Premier-League-20210825-0003.html
Success going to Udinese. 3 year deal so still on the Pozzos books I guess? Hughes to Palace for 10 million ?
Inevitable at some point I suppose, but sad. Are testimonial matches still a thing? After eleven years, he would surely be entitled to one...