The new and improved transfer window thread

[Earl Hafler]

At least if we buy Van Dijk and we still defend like morons we'll know its because of the team set up. For now there's an argument that the individual players haven't been good enough. Although saying that I reckon someome like David Luiz would get found out big time in our current set up.

 

Luiz has proven to be better in a three ( as you'd expect ) and with Kante and Matic infront of him. Conte has made them more compact and, consequently, Luiz has been more disciplined

 

Two fullbacks who can head a ball also helps. Clyne is terrible in the air. Milner no better than a 5 or 6 out of 10.

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

£50 million​ for Van Dijk? Nah

 

If he's as good as Matip then yes.

 

We can't go in soft & hope to inch forward. The Mancs never had a problem with paying over the odds as long as it kept them right in the game.

 

Obviously we could pay 50m & he could be as effective as Lovren. Or we could baulk at it & pick up another Matip/Sami (free or next-to-nothing), or we could 'play clever' and end up with a wholly unsuitable CB.

 

BUT we need to start conceding fewer than 40 a season in the league fewer than 35 really & fewer than 30 ideally

I think pearce mentioned Kalidou Koulibaly as a VVD alternative. He’ll have AFCON commitments, though. 

 

That's irrelevant (AFCON) next season, so let's worry about the season after when it comes around. 

 

Trump/N Korea will have put an end to all things by then anyway

[Roscoe]

Van Dijk may go on to be a very good player but at 29 Bonucci is one of the best defenders in world football. Equally as good is way off.

Yup, and there's as much chance of us getting Bonucci as us getting Messi I'd say

[McBain]

I would prefer for us to go for Jonathan Tah and Leonardo Bonucci over VVD.

 

Both are equally as good but considerably cheaper.

The figures quoted for Bonucci have been enormous. Similar to van Dijk

[Gerrardrules]

I'm hearing Masch wants to leave Barça. I'd take him.

[doug_mac]

I'm hearing Masch wants to leave Barça. I'd take him.

So would i. Where did you hear that?

[Flasher]

If he's as good as Matip then yes.

 

VVD is better than Matip, by some distance

[Eiler99]

Dembele looks the absolute business for Dortmund. Shame we couldn't convince him to come last summer.

[lfc003]

Chris Bascombe saying we want £10m for Kevin Stewart

 

 

 

Brighton are interested

 

[Hassony]

Dembele looks the absolute business for Dortmund. Shame we couldn't convince him to come last summer.

We pulled out because the deal was too complicated.

[Earl Hafler]

Pesky pro forma documents

[D.Boon]

We pulled out because the deal was too complicated.

Be fair we were concentrating on the Grujic and Klavan deals

[Hassony]

Be fair we were concentrating on the Grujic and Klavan deals

They were easy, no competition and the selling clubs were happy to deal, we don't like any complications, might hurt the brand

[PhilM]

Be fair we were concentrating on the Grujic and Klavan deals

 

This is why we f*** transfers up. Still fixating on a deal six months after it was all completed.

[D.Boon]

This is why we f*** transfers up. Still fixating on a deal six months after it was all completed.

We?

[Conrad]

Ha ha

[Leo No.8]

We pulled out because the deal was too complicated.

It's not easy signing contracts and stuff when you're sat on someone's shoulders.

[Hus]

It's not easy signing contracts and stuff when you're sat on someone's shoulders.

In Southampton

[fred milne]

I reckon we can already tell that anyway. We basically have our full backs doing what Chelsea's wing backs do without having a third centre back, and without two central midfielders who focus on stopping the other team from playing. It's fine if you can guarantee you're going to score 3 every game. 

Spurs is a better comparison - they play with a flat back four but still have fullbacks bombing on.  

 

Their's a 2-1 in midfield rather than a 1-2.  It gives them more protection in front of the defence but means the attacking wide players have less licence. 

[Maldini]

Dortmund had agreed to sign him a year ago hadn't they? I don't think it's a case of us pulling out because it was too tricky, there was talk of Klopp going to see him personally.

 

They're a more attractive club to players like him anyway though. CL every year and much easier to be sold on from once the elite European clubs are interested. We'd play hardball and demand a higher fee.

[Gerrardrules]

So would i. Where did you hear that?

Dutch commentator mentioned this last night. Apparently he's Italy bound.

[Benzo-13]

We pulled out because the deal was too complicated.

The president of his former club is a shareholder in Puma who have a big investment in Dortmund so selling him there would inflate their value and help the Puma brand.

It's pretty s***e cos he was the one we wanted most. Then they got Emre Mor as well - who we also wanted "bigly".

[cymrococh]

Dortmund had agreed to sign him a year ago hadn't they? I don't think it's a case of us pulling out because it was too tricky, there was talk of Klopp going to see him personally.

 

They're a more attractive club to players like him anyway though. CL every year and much easier to be sold on from once the elite European clubs are interested. We'd play hardball and demand a higher fee.

There was more to it in terms of agents/sponsors as I remember.

[Hassony]

Dortmund had agreed to sign him a year ago hadn't they? I don't think it's a case of us pulling out because it was too tricky, there was talk of Klopp going to see him personally.

 

They're a more attractive club to players like him anyway though. CL every year and much easier to be sold on from once the elite European clubs are interested. We'd play hardball and demand a higher fee.

There was an article recently about all the complication in thr deal and that there was a possibility of a legal battle between dembele and his club regarding the buy out clause

 

 

In the end Dortmund got him because they really wanted him

[Jarg Armani]

Dutch commentator mentioned this last night. Apparently he's Italy bound.

 

Wouldn't come back to us anyway. We chased him out and slandered him saying he refused to play. Lies.