Not saying there aren't better options available, just that the £4m quoted for Stockdale isn't as much an outrage as your fans seem to think. Given and Schwarzer would be good options but wages will be far higher than Stockdales.
Also, Stocky is only 27. Keepers like Given (37/38) and Schwarzer (40/41) have only really got a couple of years left in them. Stocky's price reflects the fact that £4m could get you a PL-quality keeper who could (theoretically) be your no1 for upwards of a decade.
Realistically, we want to be looking at short-term solutions to remain as a Premier League team. If we spent £4million on Stockdale and went down, it'd be a bad piece of business (should we get relegated) whereas if we signed someone like Given (who would probably reduce his wages to play first team football week in-week out), he'd just go at the end of the year anyway, signed on a year long FAT, benefiting us financially. If we were spending around £4million, I'd rather us get Kasper Schmeichel anyway.
Levy is sniffing around again - "Tottenham are being linked with a move for Fulham winger Alexander Kacaniklic after sending scouts to watch him in Sweden on Monday. Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas despatched his right-hand man Daniel Sousa to Malmo to watch Kacaniklic score, hit the bar and take the Man of the Match honours in Sweden's 1-0 friendly win over Macedonia.The match was a significant one for the 21-year-old because he is of Macedonian descent, but the presence of Spurs officials - who are also understood to have spoken to the player's agent at the game - may be even more noteworthy. Spurs' interest in Kacaniklic is bound to be linked to the interest of Real Madrid in their star Gareth Bale, but although the Swede plays on the left he is a very different type of player to the Welshman." Here is a link to more of the story: http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/spurs-in-mission-for-left-sided-winger-1596822.html
If Hull bought Stockdale and went down it wouldn't be terrible- I reckon he would stick at the club where-as the older guys would likely look to move on a to a promoted club for nothing at end of one year contract. If Stockdale were to move it would be for similar money (unless he had an absolutely shocking season but I'd say that is unlikely- he is a good keeper and once touted for England). He wouldn't be on more than 15k a week- so with 4 million up front, say £500k signing on fee + £2.3 wages over 3 years you are looking at total outlay of £6.8m over 3 years with potential return of between £1m - £7m depending on performances and whether he is sold. For a Given you would be looking at £30k a week- say one year rolling contract with hefty signing on fee- I'd go for £1.5m- for one season that would be around £3m outlay for 1 year with no potential re-sale value.
Never thought about it in that way in all honesty. Although, I still can't see us going for Stockdale at £4million. I don't think Steve Bruce values him at that. It was reported in January however, that there was a deal discussed for him to come permanently with Promotion, so maybe all this £4million malarkey is just his agent trying to stir up some attention and we've already agreed a permanent price. Brucey looks firmly set on Schmeichel really.
We are being linked with another central defender - 25yr old Burkinabe (although he might have dual French nationality) Bakary Kone of Lyon. please log in to view this image "Confirmations come about of the interest of Lazio for the defender Bakary Kone: according to the website Burkina24 , would be going head-to-head in the biancocelesti and Fulham to make sure the player of Lyon , born in 1988." Source: http://www.calciomercato.com/mercato/bakary-kone-e-testa-a-testa-fra-lazio-e-fulham-490133 He's 2 years into a 4 year contract with Lyon and valued at about £2m. Obviously among the rumour only category or it may be a left over from us scouting around before we got Amorebieta. Or we could be selling Senderos and Hughes??
Hey, and the new shirt by Adidas is not bad either please log in to view this image PS Notice there is no main sponsor yet!
Fulham have again been linked with Twente winger Nacer Chadli after he failed to agree terms last transfer window. But this time the names of Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal have been thrown into the mix. His agent seems to be touting him every transfer window, the transfer fee is said to be £8m, but the Moroccan international has had a troubled season with Twente. That could be an Adidas Polo shirt he is wearing ?
No to Chadli now, I think. £8m is too rich for us in a position where we already have talent, and I am extremely wary of agents who tout their player every single window.
Jorden Rhodes is still available,i think we could get him for about 8/9mil with an aditional move on fee.
Apparently he's an attacking mid and striker, and 27 years of age, according to Wikipedia. On the face of it, sounds decent.
Just a thought: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...-stops-wearing-Wonga-shirt.html#ixzz2VfIJfNuO He'll probably go to someone bigger than us, but...
Captain, I think we would have more chance of the Queen pulling up in a refurbished QE2, to disembark to take up her season ticket seat in the Johnny Haynes stand. Obviously not totally out of the question as I think HRH is a closet FFC fan, some would say Fulhamish. We live in hope! Some great signings so far it must be said, and like most of us, full of expectation for the next.