2013 Summer Transfer Window Thread

[Dr Gregory House MD]

First topic message reminder :

Now that the season has drawn to a close, I thought I'd put up a thread to discuss possible transfer business.

Rumours, Predictions, Hopes and Actualities all welcome here

[Kenny]

Hull City will face a fan revolt if they sign Belgium striker Ilombe Mboyo . Lot of fans not happy about his past .

[The Special Juan]

How long was he in jail for?

[Bull]

According to a Spanish newspaper Ronaldo is set to meet United officials in a unofficial meeting.

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

I'm still not convinced by the Mignolet signing, he's basically had one good year and it's very risky offloading Reina, who although he's had a poor couple of years, is still a top class goalkeeper and is always up there for clean sheets. 

I assume it's the club trying to be pro-active and sign a replacement before Barca come calling, they will have egg on their face if no club tries to sign Reina though.

Crimey are you ever convinced on a signing? He's been excellent since he first came in the Sunderlands first team. He's only 25 and had over 100 prem appearances. He had a better shots to saves ratio then Pepe last season (73% to 68% I think) whilst having a lot more shots at him. Reina has been resting on his laurels for a couple of seasons now and this signing could give him the kick up the backside he needs. I reckon Reina will be here for another season before Valdes leaves. I can only see him signing for Barca. Liverpool have been very proactive early in the transfer market so far which is good to see.

[Guest]

Liverpool have been pro-active in signing mid-table calibre players. They'd have been better off keeping their squad as it was rather than augmenting it with expensive riff-raff.

[Kenny]

How long was he in jail for?

He was sentenced to eight years but served three i think ?

[The Special Juan]

How long was he in jail for?

He was sentenced to eight years but served three i think ?

Shocking. Wouldn't like to see him or Marlon King or Ched Evans anywhere near football.

[Guest]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_ZP8kTSAcc

I think Crimey has been watching this on repeat. I agree with him, is he better than Reina or Begovic?.....not in my opinion. It's a bit of a risk by the club spending £9m on a player who could, in all seriousness, be benched behind Reina for a year, if Barcelona don't come calling. I'm am pretty sure they will but is it a great signing that makes Liverpool stronger, not for me. If I was a Liverpool fan, I would be very disappointed in how this summer window has unfolded so far.

Do people really think Higuain is a world class striker? Just because Arsenal want him, doesn't necessarily mean he's a great player and then Man City would hijack a deal. I've seen him for years in La Liga and he is very, very limited with no pace whatsover or work rate. His goalscoring record is impressive and he's a good finisher but it's not difficult to score goals when you are playing with players like Ronaldo, Ozil, Di Maria who are all creating a hatful of chances each game against inferior opposition. Higuain is not suited to City and why would they buy a Madrid cast-off at half the price they wanted Cavani for? If anything, I've still got a sneaky suspicion that City might table a bid for Suarez and lets face it, it's been talked about only last year.

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

Liverpool have been pro-active in signing mid-table calibre players. They'd have been better off keeping their squad as it was rather than augmenting it with expensive riff-raff.

Take it you've been scouting Liverpool's signings

The proof will be in the pudding

[Kenny]

How long was he in jail for?

He was sentenced to eight years but served three i think ?

Shocking.  Wouldn't like to see him or Marlon King or Ched Evans anywhere near football.

I was having a few beers lastnight and was talking to a guy who is involved with the City fans forum and he was saying how much they object to either him or King being brought in . But will the club listen ?

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_ZP8kTSAcc

I think Crimey has been watching this on repeat. I agree with him, is he better than Reina or Begovic?.....not in my opinion. It's a bit of a risk by the club spending £9m on a player who could, in all seriousness, be benched behind Reina for a year, if Barcelona don't come calling. I'm am pretty sure they will but is it a great signing that makes Liverpool stronger, not for me. If I was a Liverpool fan, I would be very disappointed in how this summer window has unfolded so far.

Am actually quite happy with the dealings so far. These are not your mainstream run of the mill signings but I can tell you these have been fully scouted for well over a year to fit in Liverpools new model.

I would actually be quite concerned if I was a Newcastle fan (not WUMMING by the way) with the appointment of Kinnear and some of the players you have been linked with. Even though you did have a bad season, with the quality Pardew and Carr have brought in, I still would have thought you could have pushed on this season with a few more shrewd signings. Whats it like being a Newcastle fan at the minute?

[Guest]

It's not been great to be a Newcastle fan to be honest lately, Kinnear's appointment is obviously farsical but I can tell you it will all blow over dependent on the quality of his signings. That's just how football works and fans attitudes. I don't rate your signings really but as you say, it's a waiting game and time will tell. At least you've made signings and been pro-active unlike us.

Where do people actually think Suarez will go? Cavani to Madrid possibly, Tevez to Juventus, were two locations Suarez was pinning his hopes on. I really do think something mega is around the corner and City going for Suarez would not surprise me at all.

[GSC]

Frankie Fielding off to Bristol City. Quite a fall from grace

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I think Mignolet is a smart signing. Might also be that I no longer rate Reina, but Mignolet looks to have matured very well and has not yet reached goalkeeping prime. Could well be liverpools number one for 7 or more years. Some of the other Liverpool signings I am less convinced by but I don't think they are nearly done. Especially if Suarez leaves

[GSC]

Mignolet is a smart signing with Reina a shadow of his former self (or looking like he did when he first arrived at Anfield, you decide).

Aspas is a handy player for a decent price tag.

Luis Alberto is a good prospect

Mkhit-whatever is the interesting one if it comes off. Technically very good and clever footballer, but for 20m theres going to be pressure on him to hit the ground running. That pressures done for better players before.

[GSC]

Shelvey 1/8 to sign for Swansea.

Quite a fall from grace in 6 months

[GSC]

http://www.marca.com/2013/06/25/en/football/barcelona/1372141903.html

Johan Cruyff thinks Barca should consider selling Messi.

[Guest]

Mignolet is no De Gea, no Hart, no Cech, no Neuer, no Casillas. He's Tim Howard but younger and from Belgium (in terms of ability). A good solid pro prone to the odd great game, and the odd bad game. A 7/10 keeper.

Aspas is the best of the signings, but where does he actually fit the first XI? I don't see him starting the season on the pitch.

Alberto is a prospect, nothing more. He's certainly no Coutinho, who we all knew had it in him.

Toure was a waste of wages, how can there be no kids in the academy worth promoting over signings Toure?

Mkhitaryan would be a stellar signing, but if Suarez leaves, an Armenian with no PL experience would be your best player. That would worry the hell out of me.

The problem I have with all Liverpool's signings is that they've now spent c.£23m, and not one of the players they've signed actually improves their first team. The bench, yes, the squad, definitely, but the first XI, the team that plays and wins, hasn't been improved by £23m of outlay. That'd concern me massively if I was a Liverpool fan.

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

It's not been great to be a Newcastle fan to be honest lately, Kinnear's appointment is obviously farsical but I can tell you it will all blow over dependent on the quality of his signings. That's just how football works and fans attitudes. I don't rate your signings really but as you say, it's a waiting game and time will tell. At least you've made signings and been pro-active unlike us.

Where do people actually think Suarez will go? Cavani to Madrid possibly, Tevez to Juventus, were two locations Suarez was pinning his hopes on. I really do think something mega is around the corner and City going for Suarez would not surprise me at all.

Givin Suarez reasons to leave Liverpool, I don't think moving to City will do himself any favors with the media and the fans. It will only boost his bank balance. I can't see that happening. If Real dont show any serious interest, I can only see a move to Bayern Munich.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Put me tin hat on but Mignolet is provably as good as Hart. I think he's possibly better than Begovic anyway and that's the market they're shopping in. He won't hit his prime for about 4 years either, so he's got time to be a far better keeper. Being a rung or two below Casillas certainly won't be no shame, I'd say he's likely to prove every bit as good as Reina's peak and that makes it a good move. If they spend £9m for a seven year signing then its peanuts

[Guest]

Probably, possibly, likely. Quite a lot of wishful thinking going on

Whatever happened to Liverpool signings the very best players available? Mignolet isn't even the first-choice keeper for Belgium, he's behind Courtois in the pecking order these days. And for good reason too, Courtois is a much better keeper, and four years younger too. Give it another year and Koen Casteels will be ahead of Mignolet too.

Don't get me wrong, Mignolet is a good keeper, but the £23m Liverpool have spent thus far aren't going to make the blindest bit of difference in the league table for next season. Mkhitaryan would. Him for £20m + wages is a far better deal than Mignolet, Aspas, Alberto and Toure for £23m + wages.

[Kenny]

I think the Mignolet signing is good for Liverpool , if Reina stays then he will finally have a fight on his hands for a starting place ....something he hasn't had since he signed .
I think it could make both keepers up their game pushing each other . You need options across the pitch and Jones was never going to keep Reina out of the side so he may of gone a little stale , this should bring the best out of him .

[Dolphin Ziggler]

What happened to liverpool signing the very best players? Last seasons league table answers that. They now have to sign the best of the rest. This isn't the Liverpool older generations talked about, its a team that has to rebuild. And in the current climate rebuilding is ludicrously hard because people take your best players.

[Guest]

I'd argue that with Gerrard, Coutinho, Suarez and Sturridge, that Liverpool would have the draw to attract a much higher calibre of player than they have done this summer. Players like Benteke, Tevez, Moutinho, players of that level should be able to be convinced to move to Anfield. The regeneration plans are there, the top players are there, the manager is there, the coaching setup, the history and prestige, it's a big club. And it's acted like a medium-sized club so far.

Speaking as a West Brom fan, the only one of those four players Liverpool has signed that I'd be interested in is Aspas. Which tells you all you need to know really.

[GSC]

Sturridge who deemed not good enough for the top level by Chelsea.

An aging Gerrard

Suarez whos probably on his bike to fund this spree

And Coutinho whos had an impressive 6 months.

[Guest]

I'm not saying they're great, I'm saying that with those players Liverpool should be able to command the attention of better players than Luis Alberto and Kolo Toure.

[Guest]

Yeah, Suarez to Bayern looks to me his only option if Madrid get Cavani.

[GSC]

I'd rather see Bayern sign Rooney

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

Mignolet is no De Gea, no Hart, no Cech, no Neuer, no Casillas. He's Tim Howard but younger and from Belgium (in terms of ability). A good solid pro prone to the odd great game, and the odd bad game. A 7/10 keeper.

Aspas is the best of the signings, but where does he actually fit the first XI? I don't see him starting the season on the pitch.

Alberto is a prospect, nothing more. He's certainly no Coutinho, who we all knew had it in him.

Toure was a waste of wages, how can there be no kids in the academy worth promoting over signings Toure?

Mkhitaryan would be a stellar signing, but if Suarez leaves, an Armenian with no PL experience would be your best player. That would worry the hell out of me.

The problem I have with all Liverpool's signings is that they've now spent c.£23m, and not one of the players they've signed actually improves their first team. The bench, yes, the squad, definitely, but the first XI, the team that plays and wins, hasn't been improved by £23m of outlay. That'd concern me massively if I was a Liverpool fan.

Don't think its fair to compare Mignolet to Cech, Casillas and Neuer just yet. Am not completly sold on Hart or De Gea just yet. He's already had over 100 Prem games and he's only just turn 25, no where near his prime yet.

I do agree with you in princible that XI hasn't drastcially improved but there is alot a scope for improvement in the squad now. I think Aspas will be a first team player, he can play anywhere up top so it will be interesting to see where he starts. Toure has the experience we will miss after Carraghers departure, every team needs this type of player with experience at the top level. Still very early on in the Transfer Window and I dont think Liverpool are done just yet.

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

What happened to liverpool signing the very best players? Last seasons league table answers that. They now have to sign the best of the rest. This isn't the Liverpool older generations talked about, its a team that has to rebuild. And in the current climate rebuilding is ludicrously hard because people take your best players.

Its not not financially feasible to throw money at a club and buy the league anymore. Unless you have got a rich chairman, but even with the FFP coming in this will become less rare.

Liverpool are playing the long haul game now to get back to the top. Trying to invest in youth and develop with the hope we can unearth some gems who will remain committed to the cause. We are not in the same league money wise as the big guns. Commercially we are but no where near in terms of match day revenue. Its a good sign that thing are in motion to redevelop Anfield to increase our capacity but how many times has this been said in the past 20 years! Hopefully we will come good again sooner rather then later.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Dortmund have bid 30m euros for Mkhitaryan according to the Shahktar CEO

[GSC]

Ultimately this is the game Liverpool must play now. Buy low, aim to sell high and hope to find some more Suarez type talents.

[Guest]

Price Liverpool are paying for multiple years without Champs Lge. He'll (Armenian) end up wherever pays highest and plays Champs Lge. I worry for Rodgers at Liverpool. Losing Suarez and possibly Reina is not a good sign and advertisement for the club and it's ambition. Tough times and you have to hope that these cheaper signings pay off because if they don't then Rodgers will be shown the door.

[Hero]

Shame they're not getting Mkhi now as I think he's just the player they need, fantastic intelligence of the game and could really have done well in the Premier League, there's not really a choice though between Liverpool in their current position or the CL runners up and team with the highest average attendance in Europe.

[Guest]

If Suarez leaves, there's not much between Liverpool and teams like Albion and Swansea in all honesty. Everton would be guaranteed 6th.

[GSC]

If they hadn't hired Martinez maybe

[JDizzle]

No way you can say Everton are guaranteed 6th with a new manager coming in and the futures of Baines and Fellaini uncertain. Liverpool, even minus Suarez, still have the 6th best squad in the league.

[GSC]

They didnt last season

[JDizzle]

They probably did. It was between them and Everton and you could argue it either way tbh.

[ncfc_Tooze]

Villa have signed themselves a top young goalkeeper in Jed Steer, suprised lambert didnt go for rudd instead though as he seemed his favoured young keeper.

[GSC]

Marca think Suarez has agreed terms with Madrid

[The Special Juan]

I'd rather see Bayern sign Rooney

He has enough problems learning English so imagine him trying to speak German!! He might be good at the word "Ich" though, every Scouser seems to make that noise when thinking.

[Kenny]

Shame they're not getting Mkhi now as I think he's just the player they need, fantastic intelligence of the game and could really have done well in the Premier League, there's not really a choice though between Liverpool in their current position or the CL runners up and team with the highest average attendance in Europe.

I would love to see him come to Liverpool but for pure footballing reasons there isn't any comparison between us and Dortmund right now , however Dortmund don't seem to pay high wages compared to the Premier league ( Lewandowski is only on £40,000 per week) so we will see whats more important money of medals

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Yep Steer decided to move clubs, we offered him a new contract. Slightly surprised, but all the best to him

[The Special Juan]

Shame they're not getting Mkhi now as I think he's just the player they need, fantastic intelligence of the game and could really have done well in the Premier League, there's not really a choice though between Liverpool in their current position or the CL runners up and team with the highest average attendance in Europe.

I would love to see him come to Liverpool but for pure footballing reasons there isn't any comparison between us and Dortmund right now , however Dortmund don't seem to pay high wages compared to the Premier league ( Lewandowski is only on £40,000 per week) so we will see whats more important money of medals  

With Bayern the way they are at the moment, he's not exactly guaranteed medals there. I wonder if Dortmund are like Barca in that their best moments come in cycles where they are great for a few years then disappear for a wee while and then come back again.

[Kenny]

Gaston Ramirez's agent claims both Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid are tracking the Southampton star as well as rumoured reports of AC Milan intrest

[Guest]

Gaston Ramirez's agent claims both Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid are tracking the Southampton star as well as rumoured reports of AC Milan intrest

Exactly how I predicted his agent would make things work out. One year at Southampton in a surprise move and then move him on again and picking himself up another big agent cheque. ridiculous.

[Kenny]

agents are ruining the game , did you see Wanyama's 2 agents wanted a million quid each to arrange his transfer to Southampton

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I sense there will be a Nodge signing in the next 2 days

[monty junior]

Shame they're not getting Mkhi now as I think he's just the player they need, fantastic intelligence of the game and could really have done well in the Premier League, there's not really a choice though between Liverpool in their current position or the CL runners up and team with the highest average attendance in Europe.

I would love to see him come to Liverpool but for pure footballing reasons there isn't any comparison between us and Dortmund right now , however Dortmund don't seem to pay high wages compared to the Premier league ( Lewandowski is only on £40,000 per week) so we will see whats more important money of medals  

I read Dortmund have raised their wage budget by about 10-12 million pounds after their CL performances. Plus with Gotze gone that frees up 4 million a year, they should be able to at least match what he's getting at Shaktar.

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