Caramba

That won't come in until 2013 (if it ever does, which I doubt), and by then he'll be what? 32? 33?

It's called silly season for a reason. And as for getting back to the discussion, what do you wanna discuss really? Snorky says he's coming, can't say when or for how much. My initial thought is fine. Period. Is there really that much say that has not yet been said in this or other threads?

It's quite funny what these translations make: Not even a tiny jerk, Mr. Karlsen? Oh, I'm glad we've got that sorted. Did Mr. Karlsen play singstar with him? Physically well equipped... Oh well, I've always said we needed that since Momo and Djibs left the club. Bring it on, and gallop with force into my 'høyrekanten. I think we got the point, champ.

FWIW, this guy said something along the same lines about Voronin last year. But hey, even a broken clock is right two times a day no? And this thread is supposed to be about Gareth Barry, our new number 6.

He is probably planning to take credit for the statements in a few months time, when or if Degen turns out to be s****. What is a bit unfair tho is that he is stealing those statements more or less directly from the blog of a Norwegian (self decleared) guru of scouting.

I totally agree, I was just trying to point out that you can't just say Barry is stronger, quicker, a better header etc. and automatically draw the conclusion that he is a better player.

Entiendo. And Alonso is probably better offensively than Barry, no?

I very simplified way of measuring two players, IMO. Barry is quicker, stronger, a better header, more versatile, stronger and scores more goals than Mascherano too. But it doesn't make him a better player than Mascherano.

I'm so tired of hearing this over and over again. The fact that you sell your car before you buy a new one doesn't mean you're skint, does it? The fact is; for the first time in a long time, we have a lot of fringe players who are unlikely to make an impact on the field next season, but could still generate significant amout of funds which ultimately gives Rafa a greater freedom of action this summer. Would you rather have Pennant, Riise, Carson and Crouch playing for the reserves?

What makes you so sure that Rafa is not willing to sell at the "right" price? As far as I know Rafa, his main concern is to strengthen the team. And if he thinks that selling Torres for 50- 60- or 100 million quids would make him capable of strengthening the team as a whole, I think he would do it in a blink of an eye.

Then my counter question will be; how do you know that Torres will make as big an impact next season as he did in this? I'm not saying we should sell, but I believe that every player is for sale at the right price.

I totally agree. If their initial bid is £50 m, we could probably get around £60 m for him. That money could give us 3 world class players. Would you swap Torres for Alves, Villa and Quaresma? I think at least we'd be stupid not to consider such a bid.

Agreed. When he was 18 he looked like he was 30. He seems to be aging quickly, and I think he won't be playing for Man Utd in 3-4 years. On a serious note tho, Rooney isn't that good. He really misses a lot of good chances, and I don't think he creates too many for his team mates either. Tevez is much better.