It's more than finances Brian, Fulham are in serious danger of relegation having not won in 9 or 10 games. The general consensus there is that if they do drop, they will become the next Swindon or Oldham - never to be heard from again in the top flight. Dembele and McCormack have formed a deadly partnership up top this year and basically represent their most realistic chance of survival. Selling him now is the closest to suicide the club can come to. Only McCormack leaving would be more damaging. I can completely understand why they want to keep him until the end of the season as even if we give them £20m to buy a replacement who are they realistically going to find by tomorrow night? Putting two and two together and arriving at a typical Levy equation, I'd say that we've realised Berahino isn't going to happen this window either and we're now panicking to bring Moussa II in right now, having left Fulham no time to bring in a suitable replacement. It once again highlights the sheer stupidity of leaving deals until the last few days of the window and the most frustrating thing is that we NEVER learn our lesson.
Annoying that the deal has broken down but at least it's because of us wanting the lad immediately, usually it would've been down to something like Fulham wanting £3.1m up front plus add ons and we were only willing to go to £3m. I have a feeling something will get done tomorrow though with the lad, either that or Levy has something up his sleeve. Sure we won't go the whole season with just one recognised centre forward... Will we?!
Very true. And ironically, Levy's attempts at last minute penny pinching invariably end up costing us more in the longer term.
100% agreed. It's like we've existed in a paralysis of delusion since the VDV deal that conducting your business on the last day of the window when the whole world and his dog knows that they've got you over a barrel makes astute business sense. The bizarre thing is that whilst his footballing decisions have been somewhat iffy over the years, there is no questioning the facts that as a chairman, Levy is one of the best in the game - overseeing the construction of a new academy and training ground, new stadium, all the while growing the club's image abroad while somehow turning over a profit almost every year. It's like he needs this weird exception to prove the rule!
I was not necessarily against standing pat, since I think Alli is our new striker. But another last minute deal falling apart is embarrassing, and gives the lie to the idea that the bad old days are gone.
Without a doubt mate. Not that I'm a lawyer nor do I know any basic legalities for the matter but surely there's something illegal or at least massively immoral with a major sports news outlet controlling a betting system that allows bets on transfers or sackings/ hirings? It's basically a money making machine for Sky. Fabricate a story of an impending signing or a manager getting the sack/ hired > Punters place big money on short odds believing it to be a nigh on done deal and guaranteed profit > release another story days later saying talks have broken down. Repeat over and over with different player/ manager and different club.
Spot on. And seriously, if neither of these two work out, who else is there? and we thought Saha and Nelsen was a crap transfer window....
Whatever happened to Sandro II from Barca? TBH mate I said at the beginning of the window (check the thread) that Dwight Gayle could be picked up for peanuts, even fewer peanuts now that Adebayor has joined. I genuinely wouldn't mind him at this stage of traditional desperation!
I've not said his name before but I've said that having an option is better than no option and therefore I'd take Gayle all day long at this present moment. I'd welcome just about any new striker to the club, I think if by 10pm tomorrow evening with just an hour left before the deadline, if we haven't got anyone in by then, I'd get on the phone to Rasiak and see if he wants a 6 month contract!
Just seen Jordan Rhodes' deal has broken down with Middlesbrough. Seriously speaking on this one, how on earth has this guy not been approached by a Premier League side yet?! His record his phenomenal. Huddersfield Town 124 (73) Blackburn Rovers 159 (82) He's bettered a goal ever other game in his time at Huddersfield and Blackburn. For £10m I'd definitely have him to back up and compete with Kane.
The last thing of note reported there was we were looking to pay his £9m buy-out clause...last week, which we obviously haven't. I was suggesting him as a backup striker back on Old606 when he was still with Huddersfield.
Maybe the deal broke down because an unnamed team swooped in with a better offer? Oh dear lord there I go again. I hate this time of the window. My brain tells me things that I know aren't true, just to prevent me from slipping into depression.
CK don't worry mate, it happens to the best of us. I've even found myself on Football Manager at times near or on deadline day and signed a player for Spurs and then somewhat forced myself to believe it's actually going to happen in real life, only to be disappointed when it inevitably doesn't happen .
I genuinely don't know how I survived our pig's ear transfer window policy before I joined this forum. That Saha/Nelsen window I think I just locked myself in the toilet and refused to come out until John Terry died in a car crash. It's nice having lots of miserable cyber bastards to share the pain and torment
Late developers are rarely viewed favourably by people within the game. Charlie Austin is a classic example. For some reason, it is believed by some, that if you haven't gone through the whole schoolboy, YTS, centre of excellence, league club apprenticeship procedures, then you are incapable of "making it". Rhodes does come from a football background as his dad was a pro goalkeeper, so usually this would have stood him good stead. I haven't seen him play, but as you say, his record is very impressive.
The very best of luck to Alex Pritchard at Burnley for the rest of this season. Go and get them promoted and come back to us next season fit, ready and raring to go. I'm sure Mr Pochettino knows, full well, what a cracking player you're going to be for us! Champions League next season!!
The obvious question for me is why did we not offer Pritchard to Fulham on loan. Proven experience of quality in the championship. Hey we could also offer them a defender, CCV or Veljkovic on loan which is where they need help. Or does their transfer embargo not allow this?
Veljkovic I thought was being sold to Germany. CCV we will keep as I think Fazio was pictured landing in Seville airport earlier today I think. Pritch to Fulham on loan as a sweetener would make a lot of sense, keeps him nice and close in the capital too for us to keep an eye on. But I thought he was a sure bet for a Burnley loan. Could have something to do with this transfer embargo, as you say.
