A name we've mentioned here many times in the past is linked with us to replace Dembele: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8029983/ I could see Diarra, Noble and Ruiz being a central triangle that would work behind Petric. We'll wait and see.
Cheers Captain - 'Sky sports understands that Fulham have enquired . . . . ' sounds a bit tentative but I'd be more than happy if that one came off. Am I the only person who thinks Richardson is a good signing? Versatile, quick, skillful, loads of Premier League experience. Could be one of those who no one gets particularly excited about signing but who soon shows his worth.
I'm with you, fulhamish. Seen as an experienced back-up to Riise, he's a decent signing at the price quoted. It's only a bad one if you hear about it in juxtaposition with the sale of Dembele: same timing, but answering different questions, not anything remotely close to a like for like replacement.
We have a back up for Riise, he's called Matthew Briggs. Even if Briggs isn't up to the challenge, second choice left back is not a position we need to fill right now, there are other positions of much greater importance.
Beg to differ, Bandit. if Briggs isn't up to the challenge (and I accept that's open to debate) then it's a gap in the squad. Not necessarily the biggest, glaringest or most important, but a gap nonetheless. Should we sign Richardson instead of a new striker or replacement for Dembele? Of course not, but that doesn't mean we have to wait for those gaps to get filled before doing something about that lesser problem.
Richardson was bought as someone to strenghten the squad, not as a straight cover for Riise. He's much more versatile in where he can play. Nor was he bought as a straight replacement for Dembele which is what I understand you to be saying Captain. The deal for Richardson was being done before Dembele's not as a result of and from cash already brought in during this window - The £2m (allegedly) paid for Richardson would have come from Etuhu (£1.5m) plus Gecov (£0.3m) plus Hoesen (£0.2m) The Noble stories started about 3 weeks ago because he hadn't yet been offered an extension to the 1 year left in his contract - probably because Allardyce was working his way through the A-Z of foreign players and West Ham didn't want to commit till they knew the outcome of that. Not a lot as it happens and Noble has played in their last two games. The most recent link is because of rumours about Dempsey going there and with all the noise of part exchanges with L'pool, a similar WH scenario was contrived. I wouldn't mind Noble as a squad member and/or to replace Dempsey to be honest. But that's all he would be.
My impression is that Noble is a solid, but not spectacular player - better than Etuhu but not as good as Murphy or Sidwell. He's about on par with Richardson, as I recall. But he's no replacement for Dembele or Dempsey, that's for sure.
Sunderland fan has said they have heard that Arsenal have made an inquiry about Dempsey on Loan, stopping the transfer to Sunderland from going through !!!!
Why on earth would we consider a loan? We'd be better off forcing him to Sunderland for £4m than loaning him to Arsenal for a season for £2m. Here's out that particular conversation should go: Dempsey's agent: We want to hold out, I hear Arsenal are interested in a loan. Ali Mac: If Arsenal pay us £7.5m for a one year loan, then fine. Otherwise, you'll go to whomever pays us. Dempsey's agent: But... Ali Mac: Have a good evening.
I can see Arsenal's thinking though. They're tight-fisted bastards and they may think we're desperate to offload him at any cost.
Seems there's some truth in this Dimitar Berbatov Sky Italia are reporting that he has turned down Juventus in favour of us - http://sport.sky.it/sport/
Just read it on a United forum, out of the blue completely but seems to be some truth to it. Sure you will find out, saw rumours in the thread title so posted it in here as its not confirmed as yet.
Interesting, I wonder if he's taken a pay cut, and indeed what the fee is, if it's true. I think Jol was interested back in January so this would make sense.
http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/footbal...berbatov-to-reject-juve-for-fulham_42539.html http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/s...-set-to-join-fulham-and-snub-juventus?cc=5739 just been picked up
Be sad to see Berba leave. A brilliant player who for whatever reason just didnt fit in at United. At times he was world class and some of the stuff he did was sublime. Could very well be one of the signings of the season.
