2014 Summer Transfer Window Thread

[GSC]

First topic message reminder :

Who really cares?

[compelling and rich]

i think evans and jones are good enough personally for first team ent, but does leave us totally lacking depth for any injuries. something which jones is terrible for. feel jones needs a run in the team like evans got few years back. only have to see how evans improved once he got a steady run in the team

smalling seems to have regressed, his confidence looks shot

[Lowlandbrit]

Do you think 9/1 on Southampton being relegated is worth a tenner?

It's hard not to be worried for them considering how much they're losing. Hard to bring through a bunch of kids without a solid core, and not a given that bringing in a bunch of foreign players will bring immediate results. Will be interesting to see how Koeman deals with it.

[Ent]

Jones is a disaster of a player, I wouldn't trust him to play cb. He is appalling technically.

Smalling had a really rocky start with us but when in beside someone dominant he is solid IMO.

Got to remember they were coping (or not coping) with no consistency, dodgy fullbacks and a porous midfield.

We need a new vidic type centre half, someone happy to be physical and lead by example. Don't know who though!!

[compelling and rich]

Jones is a disaster of a player, I wouldn't trust him to play cb. He is appalling technically.

Smalling had a really rocky start with us but when in beside someone dominant he is solid IMO.

Got to remember they were coping (or not coping) with no consistency, dodgy fullbacks and a porous midfield.

We need a new vidic type centre half, someone happy to be physical and lead by example. Don't know who though!!

since when has being technical been a requirement for a english centre half, mr terry isnt exactly beckenbauer but still been a fantastic centre back same with vidic

do agree we need a string centre half, evans currently is our best CB but he does lack physicality. when partnered with a strong centre back he's usually excellent for us

[The Special Juan]

Do you think 9/1 on Southampton being relegated is worth a tenner?

It's hard not to be worried for them considering how much they're losing. Hard to bring through a bunch of kids without a solid core, and not a given that bringing in a bunch of foreign players will bring immediate results. Will be interesting to see how Koeman deals with it.

Absolutely, I forgot about the new manager. It's not looking rosy.

[Guest]

Once again, feel this is the problem with some fans, over-rate the English talent. Lambert is hardly a great striker, Lallana is good technically but I'm sure you could get a player in Europe or in Holland who has equal ability or has a better eye for goal in that position, for half the price. Shaw is raw, young & for me didn't set the world alight last season, it's just his position is difficult to fill, therefore, any young good looking prospect is labelled 'potentially' world class.

Koeman has £60m+ to spend on building a squad, probably of foreigners but they all will have Koeman's seal of approval & I'm guessing he's knows talent when he sees it. I've got no real worries for them.

[Ent]

Jones is a disaster of a player, I wouldn't trust him to play cb. He is appalling technically.

Smalling had a really rocky start with us but when in beside someone dominant he is solid IMO.

Got to remember they were coping (or not coping) with no consistency, dodgy fullbacks and a porous midfield.

We need a new vidic type centre half, someone happy to be physical and lead by example. Don't know who though!!

since when has being technical been a requirement for a english centre half, mr terry isnt exactly beckenbauer but still been a fantastic centre back same with vidic

do agree we need a string centre half, evans currently is our best CB but he does lack physicality. when partnered with a strong centre back he's usually excellent for us

Terry has reasonable technique for a centre half. Jones can't really play football, is like bambi on ice and injures himself all the time throwing himself into Wreckless tackles.
He looked a star in the making in his first season but he has failed to develop and been very poor since. Not see him have a good game at centre half yet.

[compelling and rich]

i wouldnt be too worried if i were a saints fan, decent manager with 60mil to spend, cant see southampton finishing below the likes of burnley, WBA, QPR, Leicester, villa, newcastle and palace. majority of which dont exactly look great themselves

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Saints will still have some good players, and youngsters like Chambers, Ward Prowse, Gallagher all have shown and played well in there appearances so far

They weren't exactly skint of money before all this remember!!!

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Indeed, people forget how much theyve spent since promotion. However, all their targets will cost quite a bit more now that teams see the cash they've got in. You could call it the Gareth Bale Transfer Calculator.

Btw, it is complete arrogance to dismiss other teams. Youve basically come in and said Arsenal and Liverpool are not good enough to stop us being top four. Based on winning the league two seasons ago. Even your best players in that year have got worse, let alone ALL your rivals getting better. Chelsea and City are drastically improved and will continue to improve, Arsenal and Liverpool are both drastically improved too.

Man United CAN finish in the top four, but it is no easy task and you should be prepared for that, rather than just asking where between 1-3 you'll finish. Your biggest weaknesses still exist. No great defenders, lack of presence and workrate in midfield, lack of pace in the side.

Liverpool may well lose their star player, but they'd probably have been looking to spend net £40-50m before that sale. Arsenal will spend. Hell, Tottenham might get it together this year too.

[Guest]

i wouldnt be too worried if i were a saints fan, decent manager with 60mil to spend, cant see southampton finishing below the likes of burnley, WBA, QPR, Leicester, villa, newcastle and palace. majority of which dont exactly look great themselves

Are you sure?

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I would be worried to some extent. This is the sign of them giving up. It happened when we sold Rio and fatty too. It sends a message to the players, the fans and your opponents.

Theyve lost their best striker (pure striker rather than Rodriguez) and (will lose) arguably best player Lallana. Shaw gone which feels worse when they didnt have to sell him for moneys sake.

All that with a bird in charge who doesnt want to run a football club and a manager who has never managed here before.

[compelling and rich]

i wouldnt be too worried if i were a saints fan, decent manager with 60mil to spend, cant see southampton finishing below the likes of burnley, WBA, QPR, Leicester, villa, newcastle and palace. majority of which dont exactly look great themselves

Are you sure?

not expecting too much from you next season john, team looks pretty poor to me and cant see you investing much in either. you really need a goal scorer which are hard to come by

[Guest]

you really need a goal scorer which are hard to come by

Apparently, we turned down Gomis & didn't offer him the wage because a new mystery striker from Spain has been targeted, who the club believe is available. It's probably Soriano from Salzburg.

Yeah, I was only joking about our chances next year, we look a mess at the minute. If Southampton are 9/1, we must be 5/1   

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Some reports that Michu has passed a medical at Napoli.

[Hammersmith harrier]

£5.6mil for Buttner is a decent bit of business, helps pay towards Shaw somewhat as well I suppose.

[Hammersmith harrier]

Also looking like De Vrij is a done deal, not sure about any of the Dutch defenders really.

[Guest]

Really thought United needed an experienced, quality CB to hit the ground running & teach/develop the young guns alongside him. De Vrij is a risk, haven't seen too much of him though, guess we will learn more about him vs Mexico & beyond.

[Gerry SA]

Arturo Vidal's agent is claiming the midfielder has had to meetings with Manchester United's representatives, and personal terms aren't a problem. Claims Juventus and United are haggling over a fee, rumoured to be £30-35m.

Reports in France claim United have also made a firm offer, undisclosed, for James Rodriguez. My guess would be that he fee would be the £38m that AS Monaco paid Porto.

Would be two serious signings for Louis van Gaal, if United pulled them off.

[Crimey]

Vidal would be a fantastic signing and just the right player United need.

As good as Rodriguez is, not sure where he fits into a side with Mata, Rooney, Van Persie.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Vidal would be a statement signing and a half. That'd be something to make the Utd fans think they're top four material

[Gerry SA]

Vidal would be a fantastic signing and just the right player United need.

As good as Rodriguez is, not sure where he fits into a side with Mata, Rooney, Van Persie.

Easy if you ask me.

RVP
Januzaj Mata James

Flog Rooney and sign a second striker

[Guest]

Rodriguez to United   

Can't wait to see Ent`s response. Delusional.

[Gerry SA]

Rodriguez to United   

Can't wait to see Ent`s response. Delusional.

Delusional in which sense?

James, and for that matter Falcao, both joined a non champions league club in AS Monaco.

So it's hardly the be all and end off for them.

Also playing for United would mean actually playing in front of more than 200/300 fans in Monaco.

[Guest]

Delusional in the fact of everything. Rodriguez after this WC will be valued at £50m, his wages, like Falcao`s are ridiculous, hence why they moved to Monaco. It has nothing to do with no champions league football. United already have mata/Rooney/kagawa in that 10 role. Rodriguez to United - no chance.

[Gerry SA]

Thomas vermaelen to United is close to complete. £11m is the fee.

[Gerry SA]

Delusional in the fact of everything. Rodriguez after this WC will be valued at £50m, his wages, like Falcao`s are ridiculous, hence why they moved to Monaco. It has nothing to do with no champions league football. United already have mata/Rooney/kagawa in that 10 role. Rodriguez to United - no chance.

James isn't only a #10. Until Falcao's injury, James played off the right hand side, similar to Arjen Robben. True his wages are very high, but he worth the money IMO.

[Guest]

Ent will go spare at Vermaelen.

Rodriguez is a 10, hence why he's shining now. He doesn't have the pace to be effective outside like Robben. This discussion is pointless anyway because Monaco won't sell, not after Falcao leaves for Madrid.

[Gerry SA]

Ent will go spare at Vermaelen.

Rodriguez is a 10, hence why he's shining now. He doesn't have the pace to be effective outside like Robben. This discussion is pointless anyway because Monaco won't sell, not after Falcao leaves for Madrid.

With regards to Falcao and James, both are rumoured to have signed for AS Monaco on the proviso that after 1 year they can leave to join clubs their former clubs won't sell them to.

Falcao always wanted to join Real, but Atletico made it clear they wouldn't allow that to happen.

Same with James, but it's unclear who he wanted to sign for prior to joining AS Monaco.

[Ent]

Wonder how much James Rodriguez is worth now. 5 goals in 4 games at the World Cup.

Can't see it happening but we were linked with him before he went to Monaco.

Vermaelan is just a depressing signing and complete waste of money. He can't get into the arsenal side who's defense isn't great, he is injury prone, rash and poor positionally.

Hope it's just a vicious untrue rumour.

[Gerry SA]

Well either James is looking for a pay rise or he genuinely wants a move to Manchester United.

His father has claimed 'James dreams to play for Man Utd'

[LastDamnation]

I would generally ignore most of what agents and "relatives" say

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Some shiiiiite rumours around. De Jong and, wait for it, Kuyt will be two players Van Gaal brings in. Yup.

[Guest]

Yeah, Louis you need a holding midfielder, two new centre backs but let's spend £50m on another no.10. I think we need competition for Rooney, Mata & Kagawa.   

[Ent]

I'd rather spunk 50 million on Rodriguez and have too many number 10s to count that let de Jong ever appear for my club.

He just sums up everything I hate about football.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

If United got Vidal they could probably afford to screw around a bit up top. Its been so long since theyve had a midfielder of that ilk, it would transform them. The problem with United looking for a really good centre back is that pretty much every other club in the world wants one, because there are so few. Vermaelen at least has shown he can be very good in the Prem and could maybe do with the change of scenery as it were.

[LastDamnation]

If vidal was really available, wouldn't real madrid etc. be after him?

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

If vidal was really available, wouldn't real madrid etc. be after him?

Madrid are fairly stocked at CM tbf

I'm not sure whether these rumours have any substance tho, not sure why juve would even entertain the thought of selling him

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I dont see it happening either, but its nice to think of someone that good being in the Premier League. The Premier League clubs have been too slow identifying him cos hes been good for a long time now.

Arsenal are also linked. But Vidal should join United because they are guaranteed top four next season.   

[Ent]

I don't think we will be signing many more players.

Unrealistic to get the big names and too many changes (even if they are better players) wouldn't be entirely beneficial.

[Fernando]

I dont see it happening either, but its nice to think of someone that good being in the Premier League. The Premier League clubs have been too slow identifying him cos hes been good for a long time now.

Arsenal are also linked. But Vidal should join United because they are guaranteed top four next season.   

On that note oddly Arsene was surprisingly open about being interested in him and called him one of the best midfielders in the world. It's surprise because Arsene usually denies everything possible.

[GSC]

Juve would probably ask for 40m+.

[Guest]

Agree Ent, don't see many more myself. Maybe one or two centre backs.

Think the Vidal rumours are just that. Would love to see him sign for us but I don't see any scenario were that happens, well football manager aside

[Ent]

I'm just being realistic.

Shaw, Herrera and a centre half (please not vermaelan) would be an excellent window.

In fantasy land we need a world class centre half, a right back, another midfielder and probably a winger (if we are going to play with them) to compete for trophies.

[Gerry SA]

Radamel Falcao has arrived in Madrid to complete his medical ahead of a €60-65m move to Real Madrid.

Real Madrid are also looking to sign James Rodriguez, due to Cristiano's injury.

They are trying to offload Angel Di Maria, Alvaro Morata and Sami Khedira to recoupe the estimated €110-120m Falcao and James would cost.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

They are trying to sign a player because Ronaldo has a temporary problem? Sounds unlikely

[Gerry SA]

They are trying to sign a player because Ronaldo has a temporary problem? Sounds unlikely

Clearly not.

James would be replacing the departing Di Maria. But signing James would cover Cristiano's absence.

[kingraf]

Khedira can go, he probably found a rabbit foot, four leaf clover and a shooting star on the same day, as I don't understand how else someone so distinctly average has played at Madrid and amassed 50-caps in that German team... Lahm is a better midfielder FFS. Hope we don't sell di Maria, he's become a real kamikaze in the midfield, but Morata can go.Surely we'd be better off NOT buying Falcao (who, ironically, is down with a knee injury), and just selling Morata and Khedira to boy Rodriguez?

[Gerry SA]

Khedira can go, he probably found a rabbit foot, four leaf clover and a shooting star on the same day, as I don't understand how else someone so distinctly average has played at Madrid and amassed 50-caps in that German team... Lahm is a better midfielder FFS. Hope we don't sell di Maria, he's become a real kamikaze in the midfield, but Morata can go.Surely we'd be better off NOT buying Falcao (who, ironically, is down with a knee injury), and just selling Morata and Khedira to boy Rodriguez?

Falcao is Florentino Perez's favourite player. He's wanted to sign him for the last 4 years. Atletico wouldn't sell to Real last summer.

Falcao's 28, his knee will be fine. He's the best pure finisher out there.

It's not feasible to have both James and Di Maria. Throw in Jese as well.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

We'll see, but I'd be surprised if both came in.

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