That's exactly what I was thinking. Everton have made some good buys on a limited budget and wondered how much Brown had to do with it?
No, the price wasnt the issue. As Diego says, if he can do it on a tight budget, imagine what he can achieve when the purse strings are open.
Who did he identify? I'm not sure, but if he got Stones, Coleman and Galloway in the managers mind then he did a good job. But not world shattering.
We've supposedly activated Arnautovic's £12.5m release clause. Stoke still trying to convince him to sign a new deal (he has 12 months left). Would be a good addition for that kind of money in this mad market. 11 league goals from out wide last season.
I wonder if hitting his release fee was wise with 12 months left? Similar to Witsel, seems like he is wanted, but are the club throwing money at Zenit? Interesting to see the future of Mirallas and future role of Gerry if he comes. But after Mané signing for the ****e with a similar record £12m sounds good business
After Gerry up front against Barnsley could be looking at pace up front from the both of them? Also depends what happens with Lukaku though... Still Stones and Lukaku remain I think it's getting too close to dilly dally about now their futures need to be sorted and we need to move on either way
Lukaku, who will meet his asking price, I would expect a new contract and a release fee to be added. Stones, well the lad now wants to play under Pep, it was Jose last year so who knows!
Witsel and his agent are pissing us about apparently. They're happy with the deal on the table but are waiting to see if the BBD arrives. As for Arnautovic, if he had 2 or 3 years left he'd be £30m in this barmy market, same as the ****e paid for Mane.
Stones is gone. It's just down to the finer points of the deal, notably who's paying Barnsleys 15% sell on, as we're trying to get that out of City as well lol. Lukaku is being priced out a move and I agree with you, he's likely to stay on a massive deal with a buyout for next summer if we don't make top 4.
I don't blame Stones for wanting to play under Pep to be fair, he is so good that it won't be a test for him. I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up in midfield for them! In Europe he may struggle for a few games, but how he has played great strikers in the PL for us that won't last long.
I think Stones will continue to develop as a footballer under Pep, but not so sure about how he'll develop as an out and out defender, which is where he needs the input imo.
With the players he will have and the setup Pep will prefer Stones will have plenty of time and experiences to develop into a world class player. Some say he struggled with the high diagonal, he cut that problem out! He did tend to dive in, he cut that out.He just needs that Jagielka style never say die/throw the body on the line defending bit adding to his game and he is the complete defender(I personally think his reading of the game means he will never need that, but when the ball is pinging around the box it helps) Let's see what happens.
I've got no idea tbh but I'm thinking them names you mention but also your Baines, Deulofeu, Oviedo, McGeady?
I've got no idea tbh but I'm thinking them names you mention but also your Baines, Deulofeu, Oviedo, McGeady?
Cant be sure we were really in for him we have so many links at the moment you would think we are a bike chain not a footy club
