Murdoch

The players are all dead pally now so don't really care. I'd love for a bit more aggression and animosity to return to the game.

How dare those b*****ds try and buy players!!

They get paid tens, if not hundreds of thousands a week to run around a little bit and play football once or twice a week. They'd sign a contract wherever the money is.

I think the Lavia and Caicedo deals being so public has really exposed the whole world of football to be a set of c****, trying to buy another set of c****, who are represented by another set of c**** still. Then when the dust settles they will give the fans some warm and cuddly comments about how amazing it is to be here (after checking notes to remind themselves where they are), and we'll lap it up. #thismeansmore

who is this bond villain wannabe??

Looks an incredible prospect. When he adds a bit more composure to his end product he'll be a hell of a player.

With the season almost upon us, I can't remember a time I've felt less interested in it all. The lack of investment in the squad over the last few seasons was always going to catch up with us, and this has now been compounded with the increase in state money elsewhere. Football has been broken for a while in reality but this feels (to me at least) like a major turning point within the game. I reckon if we were to have a change in ownership and have an unrestricted budget, I'd be a hypocrite and get excited at the prospect of Mbappe 2024, but I'm not sure it would ever have the same feeling as it did. Off to take my miserable outlook out with the dog before overreacting (positively or negatively) at the result of the friendly at 7!

f*** off FSG?

If you consider our form, it makes complete sense. Everyone and his dog knew we needed a refresh in midfield last year and we didn't. Ever since Wijnaldum left we've been in a downward slide in the middle of the park. £43m or £47m across a 5 year deal shouldn't make a big difference but we're a set of tight arses and have little interest in really competing. I'd love to be wrong by the way. I just don't see it because we've been here before. We're going to start the season too light on numbers and quality. Mac Allister and Szoboszlai both look exciting but they won't prevent us getting overrun like last season.

We didn't bid for Thuram though. It looks like he was on the list of possible signings and we'd clearly sounded the player out, but I imagine clubs do that with a fair few early doors. I'd say that Lavia's personal terms are known to the club and we've now approached Southampton (unsuccessfully). The narrative of thinking that the club are doing a secret deal for a big hitter is just wishful thinking in my opinion. Usually pedaled by those who think we're suddenly going to announce Tchouameni

We've placed 2 bids for him already. I think the view that our inactivity is in some way a sign that we're waiting on someone much better is a bit naive given our track record. And that's not just directed at you by the way; I've seen loads on twitter saying the same. The reality is that our budget doesn't match our ambition anymore. I can't see that changing unless we're bought out by someone with deep pockets.

Newcastle?

Perhaps the Saudis have said screw it, and have bought us instead of players. Caicedo, Lavia and Mbappe incoming

Feel like this is going to be rejected or accepted pretty quickly what with the amount it's playing out in public. Looks like absolutely no investment on top of what we receive or save from outgoings which is disgusting. From being in a 2 horse race with City, we're soon going to be looking up at City, Arsenal, Utd and Chelsea (the latter 2 will come good sooner or later). Throw Newcastle and their money into the mix and the FSG model must surely be dead and buried?

Huge shame that he won't get a proper send off. He's been great for us and a big part of a team that has delivered every major trophy and got us close to winning even more. When you consider that Brendan tried to sell him and he was talking over the captaincy from Gerrard, he's ended up having a great career with us. The move to Saudi leaves a sour taste but his vocal support, as well as the work for the NHS, he's done more good than most.

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