Also on BBC: "Andy Johnson at Keele services on the M6 with someone looking like an agent, eating a pasty." WBA anyone? Are we in for something big in there?
Swansea City have confirmed to us here at BBC Sport that they are in talks with Fulham defender Rafik Halliche
Fulham has apparently agreed terms with both Newcastle and Sunderland and is up to Bobby to decide where he wants to go. FFC Forum...
If we lost Bobby and brought in Beckford as his replacement I'd be tempted to start a protest outside craven cottage!
Sky Sports News report that, following a morning of will-they, won't-they, that Stoke have now agreed a fee with Birmingham striker Cameron Jerome, who will now travel to the Britannia to hold talks.
I'm still hoping that the Bobby rumours are just the kind of 'I saw so-and-so on his way to such-and-such' false reports that are all over the BBC's transfer deadline update every year. When I see it as something that one or more of the clubs concerned have confirmed, I'll let myself worry. Sadly, in the confirmed by clubs category is the Cameron Jerome to Stoke story. I wouldn't be happy if he was Bobby's replacement, but I'd happily take him as a squad player to provide backup to BZ. Halliche possibly going to Swansea is good news, I think, if it's true.
I'm sure that the Bobby on a train (why would he get the train, surely he'd drive?) and AJ at the services (who was eating the pasty - him or the agent?) are just made up rubbish. The Halliche story seems to be solid (and is good news) and assuming Grygera has had and passed the medical I think we can assume that deal will happen. Beyond that - who knows?!
What ever happened to the days of Brian Clough meeting a player in a motor way cafe and saying sign here young man, we''ll fill in the contract details latter. and the player saying yes boss. Agents who needs them.
So our signings are: Orlando Sa - free Zdeněk Grygera - free Bryan Ruiz - £10.6m Pajtim Kasami - £3.5m Marcel Gecov - £700k Csaba Somogyi - free John Arne Riise - £1.5m (all figures are estimated) Seeing as how we kept Hangeland, Dempsey and Dembele I think this was a good window for us. Would have been nice to get Hutton as well, but I'd say we've definitely improved.
From the Fulham website, it looks like the final tally is three additions to the club: stiker Bryan Ruiz, 26, from FC Twente at reportedly 10 million striker Orlando Sa, 23, on a free transfer who's signed a three-year deal and RB Zdenek Grygera, 31, free from Juve on a one-year deal that's extendable another year. No news yet on: Gignac (striker) Zaha (child) or Boateng (Ghana midfielder) There's also no news on any further departures from Fulham, which to me is equally significant. So, all in all, I'm pretty happy with the deals struck. I imagine Ruiz will slot in immediately next to BZ. Orlando Sa is probably a good signing, but given his lack of big-league experience, I imagine he'll serve as a reserve player for a while.
Morning DR. Well whaddya know, Dempsey is still at the club. On reflection, very happy with the dealings. We got our big-name striker to keep val and ros happy, got some cover for Bobby, a couple of full backs and a couple of midfielders. And, as surly says, we kept the family jewels. Disappointed about Hutton, but at least we went for him. Job done, excited for the next game.
Morning all! After some concerns as yesterday went on, I think that it has turned out pretty well for FFC. I'm happy with the outcome. Onwards and upwards
Very Happy ! Kept out best players and have got two strikers and an experienced defender. Bit bleary eyed - couldn't go to bed until we had absolute confirmation of Ruiz !! That's football.
Yes I must say i am happy,was a bit concerned,when nothing seemed to be going our way. Very pleased that BZ, BH, & DEMPS is still with us,and we did not do a Smalling with Briggs.
Morning peoples, i must say i am also happy with yesterdays dealings, i must admit tho i was ready to go smashing some heads in newcastle this weekend, (going up there for a stag do) if they nicked Ruiz off us, we have strengthened the squad without losing our best players, just like Fulham COYW i couldnt go sleep until the ruiz was sorted
Morning Everyone. What happened to this place yesterday - Meltdown! Was exceptionally concerned at about 10:50pm last night as I couldn't find out for cetain if we had signed Ruiz and thought Newcastle may have nabbed him. As it turned out it was all good news so very happy with our business this window - We've kept our existing players and built around them which is very encouraging. It's good to be a pessimist as you are sometimes pleasantly surprised.
This. I think Briggs is coming on leaps and bounds for us. I was half expecting you to dampen our spirits this morning, val!
That's the advantage of Mark Hughes' ridiculous tactic of exposing Briggs only against the top teams last year, Bidley. Those bigger clubs think Briggs is suspect, despite his improvements this year, so we will keep him a while longer.
Definitely surly, that and being given more freedom to go forward. I hope we get to see his talent for longer than we got to see Smalling's.
