His fee and wages could be nothing compared to what he'd bring to the club ... ... if Neil was sold for a similar package I'd be delighted, but I'd doubt that would happen tbh. Serious question, would anyone not swap Neil for Xhaka?
Sorry if this has been answered before. We signed Le Fee in a previous transfer window. How does that impact on this transfer window and PSR?
Until Dan Neil signs a new contract, we will certainly be working on transfer deals for his replacement. Talk in the paper about replacements doesn’t mean he definitely is off, because we need to be prepared for all circumstances. If he did leave, Xhaka/FZA and Richardson would be a cracking set of replacements. I would rather he stays as I would like as many academy lads in the team. However, I would get right behind any replacements. I wonder how much the Patto situation is affecting him, if at all. They’re close mates, and I would imagine he’s pretty adamant that Patto deserves a chance in the prem. must be weird reading rumours about a new goalie. Other positions you can rotate or change mid game, but less so GK. if I were him and decided to leave, I would go abroad. A couple of years of top flight football in Germany would do him the world of good. As would success in the prem mind you. he’s an outside shot to become holding midfield for England in the next 8 years. At a time when our chances of winning a major tournament are better than usual, according to the bookies. What a life, and what a big call to make. I think/hope/feel that he will renew.
Bring him home? €6m and he was born in Sunderland. Last year of his contract. Was tipped to be pretty big at one point I’m sure so guessing he’s lost his way. That’s got Sunderland written all over it. Still only 22. No idea how he got on when on loan at Forest a year or so back like.
He's ****e. Was over hyped when he showed a bit of promise and his attitude is shocking. That's why Parma are the only club in for him and that's why the price is less than Ekwah. His dad was here until he was 6 months old. It's literally the worst reason to want to sign a player.
First, they were saying that Liverpool have shot themselves in the foot because Saudi won't buy Darwin now because the owners are so angry. Now, they played Liverpool into signing a player "they don't want" but Liverpool will still do transfer business with them and give them Harvey Elliott (who they're actively trying to sell anyway). It seems that the only thing they're certain about is that by not signing this striker that they were all raving about 3 days ago, they've somehow "won".
Yes of course BUT I do like our approach on older players of pay low less waste. Personally I’d prefer a Diarra type 6 signing. Xhaka the character, player class but I wouldn’t want to do a high fee at the expense of others with a future.
Let’s see how Isak responds to this to see if they’ve won. Not signing a contract and a grievance probably.
Think everyone is just bored of midfielders now to be honest. If it was a centre half or a keeper it would have 20 pages of discussion by now. It's always nice to be linked with good players but if anything it feels like this would be an alternative to Xhaka which not many (myself included) seem to want.
It's not the just the fee for me. In reply to @TonyG too, it's the overall package. He is on 80k a week at Bayer and it's reported he wants a 3 year deal, that is what he has left at anyway. It's an incredible amount of investment to someone who is has zero resale value. I would genuinely be astonished if the club sanctioned a deal like this, with these type of numbers.
Short term loss for long term gain maybe. If he helps us to finish outside the relegation zone surely he’s worth that money ?
Say £9m fee and match wages at £4m/y comes to £7m/y. Not cheap but the fact we passed on Henderson on a free gives me pause. We’ve always had experienced heads around the team so this may now been as an acceptable write down for what he brings in quality and experience. If just one of our youthful new signings doubles in value that’s the cost covered.
That’s my thinking too, understand people’s concern but we’re crying out for quality and experience, that doesn’t come cheap unfortunately