I read somewhere that Diallo didn't have enough points from international action to join Watford and we have more home grown players so were able to sign him . Not very clearly explained but that was the jist .
I’d read that Watford didn’t have any ESC places left, each team gets 4, so they would need to ship someone out or delay the transfer until Diallo played one game in Ligue1, at which point he would no longer need to take up an ESC spot. We had 2 ESC places remaining although I’ve not heard anything about us having to allocate one for him since signing
PinkUn reporting that we’ve gone back in with a new bid for Pelle Mattsson and believe this will be agreeable
The baseball guy seems like he's going for it this season spending wise . We wouldn't get this sort of recruitment under Delia
He’s certainly enabling us to get our business done early, this time last year we had signed Cordoba and Chrisene. So far we’ve made 9 permanent signings, a NCFC record by this date, and Mattsson looks set to be the next along with a PL loan winger targeted. It’s a marked change also to not feel like we have to sell anyone to fill a black hole
True, players haven't had to be sold to fill the black hole; what's had to be sold is the club. And not without ongoing costs either.
It's not just the 9 signings, it's the quality that's even more important. Starting off with Wright on a permanent, four new keepers for now and in the future, two new CBs who already look to be the starting partnership, two marquee attacking players and Schlupp as a bonus.
If I have got this correct. NCFC have spent approx. £18.5m on new recruits and recouped £14.25m on selling Sainz. If the latest transfer Mattsson comes then spending will be up to approx. £21m.
That looks about right, but there will also be some signing on fees for the 3 free transfers (Darling, Moulden and Schlupp). Still very good business for 4 senior players out and 9, possibly 10, in. Six of those have already been integrated into the squad in preseason games and the others will join from Tuesday. The potential seems to be great, but, as always, it must be seen on the pitch.
Abdallah Sima and Lewis Koumas being mentioned as potential winger options on loan from Brighton and Liverpool respectively New name also being rumoured is Anass Zaroury from RC Lens, previously of Burnley. The Adriano Bertaccini rumour is also still lingering around but I would imagine that would be a possible name if Sargent leaves.
City have agreed a €3.5m deal for Topic with up to €500k in add ons and 15% sell on. Rather pleased with this as several top clubs were circling for him. Looks like the Mattsson project has been abandoned.
It would appear that Knapper has run out of patience with Silkeborg, negotiations have been dragging on for over 3 weeks now I think. Maybe the story is a technique to speed up that processs. Alternatively Topic looks like a good signing that we could hopefully get done swiftly. 6”3 DM would fit the bill nicely
Interesting to see how all these midfielders will be used. McLean, Nunez, Forson, Gibbs, Wright, Forsyth and now topic are presumably all competing for 2 midfield berths? Schlupp can also fill in there. Are we expecting movement out?
PinkUn report it as a done deal so looks like Mattsson is a no go. Knapper the Ruthless, don't be playing games with him.
I would expect considerable outgoings. We look to have well over the squad limit of 25, so yes. I'd be very surprised if Nunez or Kenny are still here for instance, and Slimane and Gibbs could also be out, but maybe on loan.
Remember that U21s don't count and we have at least 5 of those (Fisher, Wright, Schwartau, Myles, Mundle-Smith and any other sub 21s).
I know that, but so far from last season's squad Gunn,Sainz are only senior departures and we have now signed nine I believe over 21's, so we must reduce the squad. Long will go one assumes, and I guess I forgot Dobbin having left.
