2014 Summer Transfer Window Thread

by GSC Fri Jun 27, 2014 10:38 am

First topic message reminder :

Who really cares?

by The Special Juan Fri Jul 11, 2014 6:27 pm

GSC wrote:Central iirc. Also he wasn't really a great fit for Barcas style, against opposition content to camp in their own penalty area

It'll be interesting to see where he plays at Arsenal. It might be the exact same position as Barcelona.

by Ent Fri Jul 11, 2014 6:28 pm

Hero wrote:
Ent wrote:I'd rather have Sanchez than di Maria. Had an excellent season but overall a but disappointing for Madrid IMO.

Di Maria managed 26 assists last season as well as 11 goals, his best return since joining, he was the highest for assists in La Liga.
Disappointing by Ent though in most peoples books is exceptional.

Like I said he was fantastic last season, however his entire Madrid career has been underwhelming, a lot of money for a man with one excellent season under his belt.

by GSC Fri Jul 11, 2014 6:30 pm

Maybe, the higher tempo PL should suit him much better though. Combined with Walcott he also gives Ozil much more to work with than the static Giroud.

by Hammersmith harrier Fri Jul 11, 2014 7:05 pm

Who exactly would you be happy with signing Ent?

Di Maria as far as I can see is a very inconsistent player but is capable of spells where he plays magnificently, his assist stats can be taken with a pinch of salt when you consider who he's setting up. I doubt the deal will come off and personally don't see where he fits into the first team, an obvious starter but then what do you do with Mata, Rooney, Januzaj and Kagawa?

by jbeadlesbigrighthand Fri Jul 11, 2014 7:11 pm

DAVE667 wrote:
jbeadlesbigrighthand wrote:
DAVE667 wrote:
jbeadlesbigrighthand wrote:
John wrote: you know what I mean though about those signings. Liverpool will do well to finish top 4 this year without LS goals.

Looking at the top 7 last year, you have to say that Liverpool look like the team who will most obviously be weaker this season than last. You just can't replace a 30 a season striker. I'd think Man Utd may well be back in the top 4 this year, with Liverpool making way.
But as said before, you CAN plug a defence that leaks 50+ goals thus ensuring your goal difference is still comparable. Doesn't matter if we don't beat teams 4-0 this season just as long as we aren't throwing away points with sloppy defending.

To some extent. And I guess you could point to Liverpool's performance without Suarez at the start of the season as a positive sign. From a purely statistical point of view you can argue that if you take away Suarez's goals, and tighten the defence to the tune of 10 goals a season, then they would be level with Arsenal more or less.

However, given that Arsenal and Chelsea should be stronger, Man Utd will come back into it, and Pocchetino should improve Spurs, I don't think it's crazy to suggest Liverpool need more than that.
Aah, "should", the most dangerous word in football

Ozil should give Arsenal that boost to secure the title in 2013/2014

Moyes should be able to continue the work of Ferguson in 2013/2014

Rooney should be told to f**k off and see if someone else wants to pay him 300K a week

Anyway, I struggle with this idea that because Suarez is gone, Liverpool will stagnate and Rodgers will become utterly bereft of ideas and options now. What is there is the team/manager that indicates they're about to suffer a total Utd-esque collapse. Hey, not saying it's impossible but why are people so sure this will happen?

How can you make a prediction without using the word "should"? Anyway, you're doing the same - Liverpool should be able to adapt to Suarez's loss. No one's predicting a collapse, but the loss of a world class player will hurt anyone, no matter hire many very good players are brought in.

by westisbest Fri Jul 11, 2014 7:46 pm

John wrote:
westisbest wrote:Tonev

I remember Lambert saying this, 'He has a wand of a left foot & is extremely quick. Tonev is an exciting player and I think Villa fans will see he is a good player.

I think Pardew came out with the same kind of description for Gabriel Obertan.

Typical Newcastle news story. Reports coming out of Holland claim Feyenoord have rejected a €6million (£4.7m) from Newcastle for Netherlands full-back Darryl Janmaat. We now scarper & claim never to of even heard of the player. Classic Ashley.

The thing is.

If Lambert thought that, then why not play him.
We ain't exactly god top stars.

Could have given the guy a chance.

by kingraf Fri Jul 11, 2014 9:25 pm

I for one am looking forward to seeing Sanchez at Arsenal. Those shorts... A fashion revolution has begun!!

by kingraf Fri Jul 11, 2014 9:38 pm

£75m for Suarez?? On a suspended sentence (which no one thinks they'll worm out of), and they pretty much blow their summer on a 27-year old! If Bale is worth 90, there is a case for spending that much on Suarez... but not when you're in Barcelona's situation, surely?

In any case, I simply don't think it'll work for the reason Zlatan didn't, and Agüero, Higuaín aren't working for Argentina, Messi is the center of the freaking universe, and every star surrounding him will either diminish, or be sucked in and destroyed... Essentially, through no fault of his, I don't think, Messi doesn't play well with others.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Fri Jul 11, 2014 10:18 pm

But you can pair people with Ronny?

I think Suarez is the perfect big name for Barca. Works extremely hard and can be very selfless

by Fernando Fri Jul 11, 2014 10:45 pm

Surprised John hasn't mentioned Newcastle getting Cabella in for 12m by now. Good signing if don't get hijacked.

by kingraf Sat Jul 12, 2014 12:00 am

Post 2009,
Villa failed
Zlatan failed
Aguero fails repeatedly on the international game
Will wait and see on Neymar, but it didn't quite work (of course didn't quite fail)
Bojan
Tello
Alexis
Pedro...

It can't really be a coincidence that Barcelona have failed (at great expense) for this long to find Messi a play partner? I dont think it's a conscious thing on his part, I just think the way Barcelona play, it's designed for Messi to be the centre. Admittedly, Suarez is possibly the the best player to audition for this role, so he has the best chance, but, despite everyone here's intentions, ultimately, I suspect he'll be assigned with "give the ball to Messi"

by kingraf Sat Jul 12, 2014 12:02 am

I must of course concede that this tactic generally works, and it probably will continue to work. Messi is pretty special

by socal1976 Sat Jul 12, 2014 6:31 am

Arsenal make it official with the signing of Alexis. We knew it was coming down. I really like this signing as I felt that after Messi, Alexis had the best year of any attacking player for Barca. The attack looks incredibly potent with Theo, Aaron, Alexis, Mesut, Giroud, Cazorla, Ox, Wilshere etc. If we can get either bender or Kheidra to solidify the defensive midfield we should be able to fight it out with MC and Chelsea this year.

by Guest Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:33 am

Fernando wrote:Surprised John hasn't mentioned Newcastle getting Cabella in for 12m by now. Good signing if don't get hijacked.

Yeah, at least we will have a Remy at St. James' Park this season. Not sure about Loic though. Just glad the deal is agreed, should go through this weekend. Also linked with this Emmanuel Riviere from Monaco.

by compelling and rich Sat Jul 12, 2014 4:09 pm

Hammersmith harrier wrote:Strong rumours that we're edging closer to signing Di Maria, very much like the Sanchez deal, not required but too good to turn down even if he did produce the single worst performance i've ever seen.

yet still went on to score the winner, say what you want before but shows great mental strength to keep going and not go into hiding like a nani would. on that note its not the worst ive seen, nani has had plenty worse!

by compelling and rich Sat Jul 12, 2014 4:12 pm

Hero wrote:
Ent wrote:I'd rather have Sanchez than di Maria. Had an excellent season but overall a but disappointing for Madrid IMO.

Di Maria managed 26 assists last season as well as 11 goals, his best return since joining, he was the highest for assists in La Liga.
Disappointing by Ent though in most peoples books is exceptional.

i watched majority of reals games and he always looked one of the most impressive players on the pitch. di maria can play wide, central (something we really need) so would be a much better fit than light weight sanchez

by **Hero** Sat Jul 12, 2014 4:16 pm

I think he'll be a cracking buy if we get him, hopefully Real prefer to sell to us rather than PSG.
Latest on Vidal is 39m and Nani though Utd want his right knee checking out thoroughly first.

by compelling and rich Sat Jul 12, 2014 4:18 pm

good riddance to suarez, not only a horrible person, still boils my blood his refusal to shake evras hand, how dare evra take offence to being racially abused. just shows you the character liverpool help protect just for football results

but also because our biggest rivals have lost there best player, players like sanchez are not going to want to go liverpool when there best player is jumping ship and he can get better wages elsewhere aswell as not having to live near liverpool

by compelling and rich Sat Jul 12, 2014 4:20 pm

Hero wrote:I think he'll be a cracking buy if we get him, hopefully Real prefer to sell to us rather than PSG.
Latest on Vidal is 39m and Nani though Utd want his right knee checking out thoroughly first.

thing is, he'll be the best player we would have playing wide if he played there or best player central if he played there. (more dynamic than mata, and much more proven than the likes of herrera). anywhere he plays he would massively improve us

by compelling and rich Sat Jul 12, 2014 4:22 pm

id pay juve 39mil just to get rid of nani let alone get vidal back in the process!!!!!!

by **Hero** Sat Jul 12, 2014 5:07 pm

I wonder where Rooney will fit in next season as if the two of Vidal and Di Maria come in I'd be looking at:

-------------De Gea-------------
Rafael--Jones--New CB--Shaw
---------Herrera---Vidal--------
--Di Maria----Mata----Januzaj--
-------------RVP----------------

by compelling and rich Sat Jul 12, 2014 5:10 pm

he will have to earn his place like everyone else, which i dont think he will accept. thinks he's the superstar at the club and spits his dummy out when we sign better players.

he will have to fight RVP for his place for me, he's simply not good enough in the ten role. but can lead the line better. with RVP injury problems he will get plenty of games im sure. if he cant accept any of the above sell him, thinks he's better than he is and is only going to worsen from here on in

by Guest Sat Jul 12, 2014 5:13 pm

Seriously think your going to get Vidal (£40m) + Di Maria (£45m), without looking at the defence. Delusional. I think some United fans have got carried away with the media to an extent. This should be a gradual process, it's not about winning the league in the first year. LVG & his ability alone, should not require the spending of around £125m+ in one summer to turn this club around. Get back in the top 4, then build again next season, when potentially better targets become available & LVG knows the United side better in terms of what he needs & having a period of working with them for a year. You might get Vidal but then United should seriously focus on defence.

by compelling and rich Sat Jul 12, 2014 5:17 pm

i dont expect to get either if im honest, still doesnt change anything i said about rooney though

by kingraf Sat Jul 12, 2014 5:22 pm

Seems Di Maria really is destined to leave us. Great pity, he was on balance, probably our second best player last season, but sacrifices have to made when you absolutely have to have the a new galáctico every year.

by Ent Sat Jul 12, 2014 5:25 pm

compelling and rich wrote:
Hero wrote:I think he'll be a cracking buy if we get him, hopefully Real prefer to sell to us rather than PSG.
Latest on Vidal is 39m and Nani though Utd want his right knee checking out thoroughly first.

thing is, he'll be the best player we would have playing wide if he played there or best player central if he played there. (more dynamic than mata, and much more proven than the likes of herrera). anywhere he plays he would massively improve us

If he keeps up his form of last year which is no guarantee - he was essentially fighting for his Madrid future and la decima. He has always been a talented player but prior to this season I don't think he has shown the star quality his valuation suggests.

We really need a centre half but I'm sure lVG is aware of that.

by compelling and rich Sat Jul 12, 2014 5:27 pm

kingraf wrote:Seems Di Maria really is destined to leave us. Great pity, he was on balance, probably our second best player last season, but sacrifices have to made when you absolutely have to have the a new galáctico every year.

if you gave me the option of di maria or a 28 year old falcao who's been pretty injury prone recently id rather have di maria, especially when you already have benzema up front

by kingraf Sat Jul 12, 2014 5:33 pm

Yeah, we really don't need Falcaó, with Alonso 34 by the end of the season, more in need of a replacement for him. Think Angel will probably not end up at Manchester, but who knows.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sat Jul 12, 2014 5:37 pm

Pelle is a Saint and Enner Valencia is having a medical at our place tomorrow. Mysti has said Caulker looks set for Palace, though I haven't seen anything myself yet. Toon gonna get Cabella.

Pesky World Cup getting in the way of transfers, thank god it's nearly over! angel

by Guest Sat Jul 12, 2014 5:37 pm

Di Maria's not worth £45m. He flourished, when the fearsome front 3 of CR, GB & KB were formed & it focused opposition defences into negating their threats & opened up the pitch for Di Maria to exploit. Before last season, he was just the inconsistent but talented player that I've always thought he is. Hasn't blown anyone away at the WC either. If I was a betting man, I'd fully expect him to join PSG & link up with Lavezzi/Pastore this summer.

King - you sold Morata, surely you do need Falcao now, in case KB is injured.

by kingraf Sat Jul 12, 2014 5:46 pm

We probably do need a forward, but we have Jese, who impressed whenever he was on last season. Maybe we need more experienced supplementary strikers, but we already paid £91m for a guy who is second banana, surely there is no sense in paying 60m for a guy who will inevitably end up the second banana's second banana?

by Hammersmith harrier Sat Jul 12, 2014 5:50 pm

Di Maria did have has just had his best season for Madrid but it's as if anybody we're linked with is dismissed as being not good enough, he's not a player we need but he will improve the team and give us a decent wide option.

I disagree on Vidal, signing him is a necessity, forget the defence for a second which will get strengthened anyway but he's such an upgrade on our current midfield that it's a no brainer. Would also enable us to sell either Fellaini or Cleverly, unfortunately one of them will have to stay but with Vidal, Herrera, Carrick and Fletcher their game time should be limited.

The prices being touted are astronomical but that's the nature of modern football at the top, you either pay top dollar or miss out.

Herrera-Vidal

Di Maria-Mata-Janazaj

Van Persie

Is a front six that will cause any team problems, we'll then have more than adequate bench options of Rooney, Kagawa, Welbeck and Valencia. Nani, Young and even possibly Hernandez need moving on if all goes to plan.

In other good news looks like Benfica are interested in Bebe, no matter what the price is he also needs to leave, no point holding on to needless squad players like we have done for years now.

by Nakatomi Plaza Sat Jul 12, 2014 5:57 pm

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:Pelle is a Saint and Enner Valencia is having a medical at our place tomorrow. Mysti has said Caulker looks set for Palace, though I haven't seen anything myself yet. Toon gonna get Cabella.

Pesky World Cup getting in the way of transfers, thank god it's nearly over!

That was in the Mirror today. Good signing for Palace if he does join.

by Nakatomi Plaza Sat Jul 12, 2014 6:10 pm

Adrien Lopez has left Atletico to join Porto for 11 million Euros. Looks like Porto are spending some of the cash from the soon to be completed Eliaquim Mangala cash, who reports are saying is close to joining Man City for about £35 million.

by compelling and rich Sat Jul 12, 2014 6:21 pm

not quite sure about the mangala deal, very very expensive for a player who cant even get into the france team over sahko who's just a big lump

by Nakatomi Plaza Sat Jul 12, 2014 6:26 pm

Agree with you Compelling. DZ often talks about the 'English Tax', but I reckon teams often pay over the odds when buying players from the Portuguese League as well.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sat Jul 12, 2014 6:29 pm

But neither can Koscielny and he's a pretty good defender

by Hammersmith harrier Sat Jul 12, 2014 6:31 pm

Deschamps seems to have his favourites amongst them Debuchy and Sakho, for the life of me can't see how they start ahead of Sagna and Koscielny.

by compelling and rich Sat Jul 12, 2014 6:45 pm

not a big fan of sagna if im honest, but then again i see him just the right back version of evra who's been sadly poor for a few years yet still gets in. i like koscielny, dont think he has the best defensive brain on him but he's so quick that he can make up for it. also brings the best out of mertesacker who i dont particularly rate, opposite of koscielny very good reader of the game but cant run. germany looked a lot more solid without him

by **Hero** Sat Jul 12, 2014 7:18 pm

Looking increasingly likely Di Maria is off to PSG now.

Didn't rate him anyway Whistle

by compelling and rich Sat Jul 12, 2014 7:32 pm

Hero wrote:Looking increasingly likely Di Maria is off to PSG now.

Didn't rate him anyway

could go back for lucas moura, cant see him getting much games. there will be some bargins coming from psg soon as they cant keep there all players happy. would have maitudi at OT, depending on the other deals but would give us some much needed energy and ability to win ball back and would imagine he wont cost a arm and a leg

by Fernando Sat Jul 12, 2014 7:43 pm

Wouldn't it more suggest that Cavani or Lavezzi is available now?

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sat Jul 12, 2014 9:02 pm

Tello going to Porto

by GSC Sat Jul 12, 2014 9:04 pm

Probably be sold to Real for about 70m in 2 years

by The Special Juan Sat Jul 12, 2014 9:08 pm

I'd take Lavezzi. He always struck me as a player that would do very well in the PL. At 28/29 though it would be a risk.

by LastDamnation Sat Jul 12, 2014 9:16 pm

Hero wrote:I wonder where Rooney will fit in next season as if the two of Vidal and Di Maria come in I'd be looking at:

-------------De Gea-------------
Rafael--Jones--New CB--Shaw
---------Herrera---Vidal--------
--Di Maria----Mata----Januzaj--
-------------RVP----------------

6 weeks ago it was Kroos and Fabregas

Now Di maria and Vidal.......

by GSC Sat Jul 12, 2014 9:23 pm

Something, something, all those comments about attracting the best without European football, playing for United being more attractive etc

by **Hero** Sat Jul 12, 2014 11:33 pm

If this wasn't in the Telegraph then I'd immediately dismiss it out of hand...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfers/10964252/Juventus-lining-up-20-million-bid-for-Tottenham-Hotspur-and-Brazil-midfielder-Paulinho.html

Juve willing to let Vidal go to Utd as long as they get Paulinho, yes that's right, Paulinho as replacement.

by kingraf Sat Jul 12, 2014 11:38 pm

Think Kroos will be one of the steals of the season... He's essentially come over because he's had a wage dispute due to Bayern refusing to pay him on parity with Gotze... Strange going ons at the Allianz.

by **Hero** Sat Jul 12, 2014 11:44 pm

And Gotze hasn't being enjoying life there either.

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