Amazingly, it seems there is still some paperwork to complete, so unless that is done by lunch-time, we probably won't see him tomorrow, but at least it's a good start in the transfer window.
There's a good chance that Hooper could move to Sheffield Wednesday, Cromer, and Lafferty to Leeds, though that seems to have a problem or two. We'll just have to wait and see re "Bournemouth's prodigal son"!
It's annoying, but it's like the domino effect. Everton are stalling on any deal for Naismith, so NCFC can't be as proactive with Sheff Weds or Leeds as perhaps they'd like. As soon as one happens, there'll be a whole raft of them...hopefully. Both inwards and out
Pinto is excellent news IMO. There's always a chance it could fall through until it's confirmed, so even though we knew about it for ages this is still great news. Let's hope we can get the paperwork sorted today in order to see something of him tomorrow as that would be the ideal opportunity to involve him in a (relatively) low pressure environment... I can see why the board would prefer Lafferty to go properly rather than just on loan with an option, but frankly I'd prefer that to the risk that he doesn't go at all. Seems mad as we presumably no longer want Byram with Pinto confirmed (if we were ever interested in an exchange deal Lafferty for Byram...) I'd say just close off Lafferty on loan and agree the fee now - that gives him good reason to try to prove himself to Leeds!
Sam Byram has played mostly at RM in the last season or so and maybe would be considered at competition for Redmond giving us two wingers per side. I'm not really fussed by it however, looks to me more like the sort of deal that you'd do in the summer.
I am not sure whether this angle has been covered off but if we keep Grabban who it seems is going to play a small role for us at best then it might be that Bournemouth go out and sign Afobe and we are stuck with a player that most of us don't want here. Its all well and good saying what might happen if we sell Grabban to Bournemouth but i'll be even more frustrated if we are stuck with him, Bournemouth sign Afobe and he starts banging the goals in. Theres a reason why we are interested in Afobe and he is someone who would do well for us if the Worst came to the worst and we were relegated but would hopefully give us something we need for staying up.
They wouldn't be that horrid, would they? Bournemouth, I mean You're dead right though, in a worst case scenario, if we won't release one of their projected targets, they'll check their shortlist and go elsewhere. And if Afobe is on that list I guess this is where the "damned if they do, damned if they don't" factor come into it! Edit - it was well documented that we were dead keen on Afobe in the summer, with £10m bids widely bandied about. Bournemouth will be all too aware of this interest in the player from Norwich!
For me, sell Grabban for £6m+ and go and sign Afobe. I know it isn't as easy as that but I think its a different proposition to what it was in the summer. We look more likely to stay up, Wolves look more likely to be willing to sell and Afobe is unlikely to get into the Premier league with Wolves. get the money in and then go and sign a player who would want to step up rather than chasing foreign players who may be out of our reach.
Now Pinto is over the line I wonder is the Russell Martin to Blackburn rumours will resurface. We'd be fine at RB but CB would be very light.
Can't we get him to take Whittaker instead? No way would we let Russ go until we have at least one centre back fully signed and available Bah!
Indeed. Makes sense to retain Martin, purely as he is an adequate dep at CB, moreso than Whittaker. Whittaker for Jordan Rhodes, loose ends tied up, onwards and upwards
Pinto could be a little gem to pull out of the bag. I hadn't heard of him before our link, but from looking into him, he could be an exciting player if he adjusts to our league, and as long as he isn't too overly attacking to leave us short at the back. I'm guessing AN could make him split the difference. If so, could be very exciting player.
Pleased to see the Pinto deal finally confirmed - just need to get a CB and Naismith added to our squad. If we could sell Grabban to Bournemouth, I wouldn't be upset as long as we reinvest the money for someone who is an improvement and isn't going to 'throw his toys out of the pram when he isn't in the squad for games'.
I think this will be a good signing and he has experience against world class footballers in the Champions League. I'd keep Rusty as RB cover, but I never want to see him ever play as CB again unless we are utterly desperate.
I am guessing he does not go forward for corners - never scored a senior goal Then again, Ian Culverhouse was not exactly on a par with Alan Shearer
On the plus side he averaged an assist every 7 games for Zagreb, so that's about five a season if he keeps it up for us! (Hoolahan's PL record for assists is one every 5.5 games...)
I would think that Pinto who I think is a good signing would be our first choice RB. What concerns me is how this effects the Martin situation and I worry that with Martin being our captain he may be put back as CB instead of Bennett, assuming of course we don't signing a PL quality CB, which the club clearly appears to be trying to do. Either way at least one of Martin, Whittaker & Wisdom is surplus to requirements. If Martin is not going to be first choice at either RB or CB then AN would need to consider who our new captain should be.
