I seriously hope not. The midfield is where you need the most depth and quality. We need numbers there. Also worth remembering that Diarra, if he signs, will be absent for six weeks or so in the winter.
Bet365 have Sunderland 33/1 for a top 10 finish next year. Gamble responsibly and don’t get carried away, like at least one person did this morning
So then… if Vanat and Bulka are as close as media report. That’s potentially £83m spent. I have a feeling with all the recent news we might crack £150m spent by the end of the window
I don’t think for one second we won’t offer him a good wage. But what I was told was he was being awkward about something else. Not his wage
I think we have to be a bit careful mate. We have no idea what the terms of the contract might be...we only know it's likely to be complicated. It may be that everything is agreed except...for example, the value of a buy out clause,or,is it a 5 year deal or a 6 year deal.Lots of clauses with consequences for both parties doesn't mean there's any "gamesmanship" involved. And,I'm certain,Wembley will have moved the goal posts!
Id heard similar but just that he wants to be allowed to leave if we go down, don't know if that's a clause or what.
There’s always going to be some awkwardness in negotiations as both sides look after their interests. Doesn’t mean anything untoward.
Mate the vast majority if not all discussions ongoing with new contracts or new signings will have this. The club will also want to insert wage drops where possible. It's the right and sustainable thing to do to prevent financial risk.
Oh yeah absolutely, but from what I can tell that's the only thing that wasn't totally finalized. It's the right thing for the club and for the player but sometimes finicky to come up with a specific price.
Hopefully the will is there on both sides to get it done. I would hate to lose Neil at this stage in our progress.
This really. Fans get very emotional over it with a "if you don't want to be here then **** off" kind of attitude but the player has every right to look after himself by asking to be paid the going rate. Let's also bear in mind that Neil won't have had a new deal for a while and will be on peanuts relatively to most of his teammates. Le Feè has probably just signed on 10 times Neil's current wage
Neil also probably has very little to do with it. Will be his agent getting the best deal for him. Any awkwardness will be with them not the player. He’s protected from it all and is probably desperate to get it signed.
Really interested to see the cb is we want obviously diarra, lauriente, bulka are 3 other main positions. Maybe guendia too (ana av spelt it wrong)