January Transfer Window 2016

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Tue 22 Dec 2015, 8:10 pm

First topic message reminder :

With Bournemouth looking like they've got Iturbe done on loan with a view to permanent then I guess that's the signal to get this thread going

by Guest Tue 02 Feb 2016, 10:20 am

If you think an ageing Barry, Cleverley, Besic, McCarthy & injury prone Gibson will make you a top 4 challenger, which must be the sole aim, then you're delusional. You've gone backwards this season & are sitting in 12th position, because your central midfield is weak & defence has been a shambles. Wasting £13.5m, a large % of the tight budget on a B rate striker & negleting buying a central midfielder or defender, is puzzling to me.

by MIG Tue 02 Feb 2016, 10:28 am

Don't call someone delusional before you even know what they expect of their team.
No, I do not think the current team is good enough to challenge for top 4. I don't think we are far away but I personally think its more of a change of manager than players that we need to make the biggest of the jumps.
Its very much the defence that is a bigger problem than the midfield. I personally think when McCarthy and Besic get a run together they will be a very good CM pairing. Maybe even dropping Barkley back there.
Also I think with the right management, orders and tactics the defence probably doesn't need much tweaking either. Coleman, Stones, Jagielka and Baines as individuals are all very good defenders (Stones needs to do a lot of learning yet) and even Funes Mori has done fairly well bar the odd mistake which is understandable in his first season. It seems its the Martinez tactics of playing from the back and taking far too many risks along with Howard being past it that is our biggest downfall this season.

I agree with you that maybe the striker wasn't a priority (although I think we needed to replace Naismith and have back up for Lukaku) but its your terminology of bang average and delusional that winds me up. You haven't changed.

by westisbest Tue 02 Feb 2016, 1:45 pm

Not one to comment on other clubs, but always liked Everton.

Think they have a good squad.
Like Martinez.

Good fan base etc.

Would like to see them up in top 4.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Tue 02 Feb 2016, 5:21 pm

Martinez don't defend. McCarthy is a thug. Lukaku will go in the summer. Stones is going backwards under Bobby

by GSC Tue 02 Feb 2016, 7:04 pm

Stones was developed by Martinez.

The issue with Martinez is his teams have no killer instinct. They're far too nice to play again

by MIG Tue 02 Feb 2016, 7:11 pm

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:Martinez don't defend. McCarthy is a thug. Lukaku will go in the summer. Stones is going backwards under Bobby

McCarthy is a thug for one bad challenge? There are a lot of thugs out there then.
And cause Stones is 21 and going through a bad patch of form he's going backwards.
Typical knee jerk reactions i would expect from an armchair fan. Thought you were better than that.
Can't really argue with your other points but hope you're wrong about Lukaku. Obviously.

by Guest Tue 02 Feb 2016, 7:25 pm

Stones suits the Guardiola style, so a move to the Eithad in the summer is inevitable for him & Lukaku will no doubt leave for PSG or maybe a top 4 side. Expect Everton to reel in around the £90m mark for both. This was a huge season, given the opportunities that had arisen, from the failures of United & Chelsea, for Everton to finally step up. Spurs did it & Everton haven't. It results in squads being broken up & it will unfortunately happen to Everton & it will probably see Martinez looking at the exit signs.

by Fernando Tue 02 Feb 2016, 11:27 pm

Jackson Martinez joins Guangzhou for 45 million euros.

by **Crimey** Wed 03 Feb 2016, 9:05 am

Which is weird, as supposedly Atletico were going to sign Falcao, but couldn't get rid of Martinez, now they've sold Martinez without any kind of replacement when in a title hunt. I know he's not been particularly good, but surely they shouldn't have got rid without any sort of replacement? Particularly if the transfer ban is upheld and they can't make any signings for 18 months.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Wed 03 Feb 2016, 11:58 am

MIG wrote:
Dolphin Ziggler wrote:Martinez don't defend. McCarthy is a thug. Lukaku will go in the summer. Stones is going backwards under Bobby

McCarthy is a thug for one bad challenge? There are a lot of thugs out there then.
And cause Stones is 21 and going through a bad patch of form he's going backwards.
Typical knee jerk reactions i would expect from an armchair fan. Thought you were better than that.
Can't really argue with your other points but hope you're wrong about Lukaku. Obviously.

To be fair, I was being a bit inflammatory for the craic, but I do think Stones is going backwards. His defending isn't improving, and I think its getting worse. Martinez just does not understand defensive play, and its why I dislike him. Its a base arrogance that annoys me. But, Stones. I don't think its just bad form, I think its coming from not forming defensive habits because he isn't being coached enough on it.

McCarthy is a bit of a thug though. Going out to hurt someone is always thuggish.

by Alistair Wed 03 Feb 2016, 1:19 pm

If you find the video of Merson destroying Stones you'll see why he's going backwards. Can't say i'm a huge fan of his punditry but he's spot on in that piece.

by **Hero** Thu 04 Feb 2016, 12:26 am

Where Liverpool fail to stump up the cash, China delivers... Texeira looks like he's off to China for £37m

by **Crimey** Thu 04 Feb 2016, 9:29 am

So much for the picture where he said; "not now but in the summer #LFC".

At that price and the fact that he's chosen China in what should be the prime of his career, can't say I'm too bothered.

by Guest Thu 04 Feb 2016, 7:56 pm

The fact he chose the oil money of Ukraine, prior to this move to China, should of raised the alarm bells on him.

by GSC Thu 04 Feb 2016, 8:24 pm

Chase the money while you can. He could've stayed for another 6 months and picked up a big injury.

by Guest Thu 04 Feb 2016, 10:09 pm

Been reported that Yaya Toure is being offered in the region of £500k a week, to go to China this summer. Ridiculous.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Thu 04 Feb 2016, 10:45 pm

Apparently Teixeira was being offered six times the amount of money in China than Liverpool were prepared to pay.

You'd be silly not to go really

by **Hero** Thu 04 Feb 2016, 11:54 pm

Neymar's father has said Utd offered £145m for him in the summer.

by **Crimey** Fri 05 Feb 2016, 9:25 am

LiamB wrote:The fact he chose the oil money of Ukraine, prior to this move to China, should of raised the alarm bells on him.

A lot of Brazillians got to Ukraine because it's easy to get a work permit, then makes it easier for them to get a move to a major European country. Hence why Willian, Douglas Costa, Luiz Adriano and Fernandinho all did that.

by **Crimey** Fri 05 Feb 2016, 10:59 am

Reports are that Chinese club Jiangsu Suning had a bid of £75 million rejected by Chelsea for Oscar.

That is crazy money. I think Chelsea only rejected it because Oscar wouldn't have gone, because that's insane.

by Guest Fri 05 Feb 2016, 2:31 pm

The problem with this activity from China, is that you then get the wild, inaccurate reports & rumours of so-called bids made, through the media. The Oscar rumour has been denied by Hiddink & the club in the last hour or so.

It is was true, Chelsea would not be rejecting £75m, for a player barely worth £30m & who's pretty much stagnated at Chelsea for a long time. Ambramovic isn't that stupid, knowing the side needs a total rebuild this summer.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Fri 05 Feb 2016, 3:00 pm

Its not much of a problem really!

China will be a fascinating watch

by **Crimey** Wed 10 Feb 2016, 9:21 am

Chinese club supposedly considering bidding £38 million for Dimitri Payet.

by Guest Wed 10 Feb 2016, 9:29 am

And the bandwagon rumours from China also state a Chinese club will pay £75m for Arda Turan. It's all nonsense.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Wed 10 Feb 2016, 10:49 am

Crimey wrote:Chinese club supposedly considering bidding £38 million for Dimitri Payet.

Thankfully he's about to sign an improved deal here

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 10 Feb 2016, 11:16 am

Dolph is green now?

God help us all

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Wed 10 Feb 2016, 11:18 am

Whatever do you mean Dolly?

by **Crimey** Wed 10 Feb 2016, 11:22 am

By the way, I think you're automatically logged out when your name has been changed.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Wed 10 Feb 2016, 11:27 am

Damn it. I was gonna change it back in 5 mins! Just getting the fun out of my system

by GSC Wed 10 Feb 2016, 11:28 am

Id say I'm now ****ed but I've survived Crimey so far so who knows.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 10 Feb 2016, 11:29 am

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:Whatever do you mean Dolly?

I've suddenly become more attractive to our Welsh contingent (and it appears you don't crimey)

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Wed 10 Feb 2016, 11:33 am

I changed it back.

I can't do anything bad anyway, I'm gonna be watched more than anyone on this site now.

Does anyone else think Crouch should go to China? The height, the habit of scoring against poorer opposition. I can only see him becoming some sort of national hero.

by Guest Wed 10 Feb 2016, 12:19 pm

Dolph, they've already got Yang Changpeng

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Wed 10 Feb 2016, 2:39 pm

Peter takes Clancy over too though.

I keep hoping they offer a mad price for big Andy. I like him but big money would be an easy "yes"

by Guest Wed 10 Feb 2016, 3:17 pm

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:I changed it back.

I can't do anything bad anyway, I'm gonna be watched more than anyone on this site now.

Does anyone else think Crouch should go to China? The height, the habit of scoring against poorer opposition. I can only see him becoming some sort of national exhibition.

by **Crimey** Mon 15 Feb 2016, 3:59 pm

Late deal.

Liverpool have confirmed that Joel Matip will join in the summer when his contract has ended.

Good news, so long as he can adapt, secured a young, tall centre back. Still think the defence needs a real leader, but it's a good free signing nonetheless.

by **Crimey** Tue 16 Feb 2016, 1:34 pm

Jelavic has joined a 2nd division Chinese side.

https://twitter.com/chanceig/status/699170931005091841

by **Hero** Fri 19 Feb 2016, 2:08 pm

Seen a few mentions that Klopp's wanting to bring in Dennis Praet from Anderlecht, guess he's the 2nd choice now Texeira chose China.

by Guest Fri 19 Feb 2016, 2:53 pm

Van Gaal is hoping Adam Johnson implicates him in this under-age sex scandal as it will prove to be a less embarrassing reason for finally getting the sack

by Guest Fri 19 Feb 2016, 3:06 pm

Hero wrote:Seen a few mentions that Klopp's wanting to bring in Dennis Praet from Anderlecht, guess he's the 2nd choice now Texeira chose China.

Even we were heavily linked with him coming to the Hawthorns last summer

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/west-brom-everything-you-need-9781640

by **Hero** Fri 19 Feb 2016, 3:37 pm

He's needed a move for a year really, certainly a player that's outgrown the league and needs to showcase himself on a bigger stage .

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Fri 19 Feb 2016, 4:50 pm

He was linked with everyone last summer, he's clearly scouted by the Prem clubs and his agent is offering him about

by **Hero** Wed 24 Feb 2016, 11:48 pm

Portugese paper stating Utd have a gentlemans agreement in place for Renato Sanches:

http://en.as.com/en/2016/02/24/football/1456315332_543762.html

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