Summer 2016 Transfer Rumour Thread

[PendlePie]

Apart from Liverpool's pack of 7/10 STs I wouldnt say many top sides have multiple strikers of equal ability.

Liverpool aren't as special as you make them out to be here. Sturridge is an 8.5/10 striker, Firmino is a 7-7.5 and Benteke/Ings a 5.5-6 each.

On the whole, Liverpool have an excellent group of strikers relative to the rest of the league - better than Spurs, Arsenal, Chelsea and United. They have a clear #1 striker (who just can't get on the park enough) and really adequate backups.

Its their medical team's responsibility to get them fit enough to show it, and Klopp's job to bring in some decent wingers and another AM.

 

[Thistle]

He has never really been a #1 striker anywhere he has been. I'd be happy to have Long as #2 and a young striker from within (N'Jie or Harrison) or signed be #3. If Kane went down and they all had to go up a spot then so be it.

Apart from Liverpool's pack of 7/10 STs I wouldnt say many top sides have multiple strikers of equal ability.

City have a clear pecking order (Aguero > young guy who I can't spell Inacheo? > Bony) which the kid moved into #2 spot after playing well. Chelsea (Costa > Remy > youth guy), Arsenal (Giroud > Welbeck/wingers who fill in there), Southampton (Pelle > Long > JRod).

We just need to work out who our backup and kid are (N'Jie or Harrison)

It's a myth that teams need 3-4 top class STs. One clear top guy backed up well by experience & youth is the way to go

I don't think it's a myth that you need 3 top class strikers. If you look at Fergie's United teams throughout his time one thing they had in common is that he always had quality options up front to choose from. Granted some of this time was when 4-4-2 was popular so I would say you definitely need two minimum. I can further testify to this watching us struggle without Costa.

 

[Milanista28]

yeah but at least you tied down montolivo's contract. yaaaayy

Like I said all you can do is laugh.

But mostly cry.

 

[ADL9798]

He has never really been a #1 striker anywhere he has been. I'd be happy to have Long as #2 and a young striker from within (N'Jie or Harrison) or signed be #3. If Kane went down and they all had to go up a spot then so be it.

Apart from Liverpool's pack of 7/10 STs I wouldnt say many top sides have multiple strikers of equal ability.

City have a clear pecking order (Aguero > young guy who I can't spell Inacheo? > Bony) which the kid moved into #2 spot after playing well. Chelsea (Costa > Remy > youth guy), Arsenal (Giroud > Welbeck/wingers who fill in there), Southampton (Pelle > Long > JRod).

We just need to work out who our backup and kid are (N'Jie or Harrison)

It's a myth that teams need 3-4 top class STs. One clear top guy backed up well by experience & youth is the way to go

He's not a bad player, but for me the step down in quality from Kane to Long is much greater than Sturridge to Origi/Firmino, Costa to Remy, Martial to Rooney, Aguero to Bony/Iheanacho etc.

All of your rivals will have a back up who will be capable of stepping up and scoring around 1 goal in 2 in the absence of their first choice CF.

Long is 29 years old and has never scored at a higher rate than 1 in 3 during his time in the Premier League. Over his career he has scored 50 goals in 199 games (1 in 3.98) in this competition, and it's not as though he's creating goals to make up for it.

You'd be able to find about a dozen affordable 19-22 year olds in the UK and across Europe who could guarantee that sort of scoring ratio and (unlike Long) would probably have scope to improve over the coming years. Iheanacho or Ings as examples off the top of my head.

Long as a 3rd choice pinch hitting option? Sure, although I'd prefer a younger player with potential up their sleeve - particularly at that price.

Your main back up option in the event of a serious injury to Kane? I'd be worried if it were my team.

 

[Magma]

Like I said all you can do is laugh.

But mostly cry.

do you ever think the chinese investment actually arrives or that milan will miss the boat and it goes elsewhere?

 

[jd2010]

Liverpool aren't as special as you make them out to be here. Sturridge is an 8.5/10 striker, Firmino is a 7-7.5 and Benteke/Ings a 5.5-6 each.

On the whole, Liverpool have an excellent group of strikers relative to the rest of the league - better than Spurs, Arsenal, Chelsea and United. They have a clear #1 striker (who just can't get on the park enough) and really adequate backups.

Its their medical team's responsibility to get them fit enough to show it, and Klopp's job to bring in some decent wingers and another AM.

Firmino is better out wide but can play there when needed. But yeah their problem is their best is out a lot otherwise they've got a good group.

Just don't see it working having a guy on par with Kane. The guys just won the golden boot he needs someone who can play with him rather than push for his spot and one that will be happy to play second fiddle.

I don't think it's a myth that you need 3 top class strikers. If you look at Fergie's United teams throughout his time one thing they had in common is that he always had quality options up front to choose from. Granted some of this time was when 4-4-2 was popular so I would say you definitely need two minimum. I can further testify to this watching us struggle without Costa.

Answered your point with you saying they played 442. Of course then you'd need more but Poch plays 4231 99% of the time.

 

[jd2010]

He's not a bad player, but for me the step down in quality from Kane to Long is much greater than Sturridge to Origi/Firmino, Costa to Remy, Martial to Rooney, Aguero to Bony/Iheanacho etc.

All of your rivals will have a back up who will be capable of stepping up and scoring around 1 goal in 2 in the absence of their first choice CF.

Long is 29 years old and has never scored at a higher rate than 1 in 3 during his time in the Premier League. Over his career he has scored 50 goals in 199 games (1 in 3.98) in this competition, and it's not as though he's creating goals to make up for it.

You'd be able to find about a dozen affordable 19-22 year olds in the UK and across Europe who could guarantee that sort of scoring ratio and (unlike Long) would probably have scope to improve over the coming years. Iheanacho or Ings as examples off the top of my head.

Long as a 3rd choice pinch hitting option? Sure, although I'd prefer a younger player with potential up their sleeve - particularly at that price.

Your main back up option in the event of a serious injury to Kane? I'd be worried if it were my team.

I don't think he is that bad at all. Hard to compare him to most backups other than Remy. Personally I reckon they're on par. Mainly because there's more to his game than just his goals. He fits our tactical plan perfectly. In the same way Zlatan would be a terrible fit for us for instance.

Long + a young Origi like signing would be perfect backups. The hope would obviously be that eventually the young ST would pass Long like the guy did at city passing Bony. But the young guy on his own would be far too risky imo. That's probably the way we head but it's a recipe for disaster relying on an unproven player in a position like that

 

[PendlePie]

Firmino is better out wide but can play there when needed. But yeah their problem is their best is out a lot otherwise they've got a good group.

Just don't see it working having a guy on par with Kane. The guys just won the golden boot he needs someone who can play with him rather than push for his spot and one that will be happy to play second fiddle.

100% agree - but that presents an obvious problem when it comes to potential acquisitions.

You (obviously) want a player who's good enough to start with or instead of Kane, yet not quite good enough (or motivated/demanding enough) to demand a consistent starting spot. Maybe Batshuayi is that guy - he's certainly young enough and the Spurs bench is still an upgrade on Marseille - or perhaps he sees greater starting opportunity elsewhere and goes with that offer. He wouldn't be short on suitors.

Time will tell. Berahino seems a logical candidate though.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

100% agree - but that presents an obvious problem when it comes to potential acquisitions.

You (obviously) want a player who's good enough to start with or instead of Kane, yet not quite good enough (or motivated/demanding enough) to demand a consistent starting spot. Maybe Batshuayi is that guy - he's certainly young enough and the Spurs bench is still an upgrade on Marseille - or perhaps he sees greater starting opportunity elsewhere and goes with that offer. He wouldn't be short on suitors.

Time will tell. Berahino seems a logical candidate though.

I want Batshuayi. They're selling him because they can't afford to keep him, likewise I'd like to take Diarra off them too.

If he wants to go elsewhere for greater opportunities so be it, not much you can do about it. That said we should play more than 50 games next season.

Berahino. No thanks. don't want his attitude in the group, most of the guys we've sold since Pochettino arrived has been because of questionable attitudes. Do not want us bringing him in with the way he behaved after the transfer didn't go ahead.

 

[jd2010]

100% agree - but that presents an obvious problem when it comes to potential acquisitions.

You (obviously) want a player who's good enough to start with or instead of Kane, yet not quite good enough (or motivated/demanding enough) to demand a consistent starting spot. Maybe Batshuayi is that guy - he's certainly young enough and the Spurs bench is still an upgrade on Marseille - or perhaps he sees greater starting opportunity elsewhere and goes with that offer. He wouldn't be short on suitors.

Time will tell. Berahino seems a logical candidate though.

The guy is pushing to start for Belgium and will cost 20-30m. Think we are better off spending that sort of money on two strikers rather than just one. Wouldn't expect us to spend more than 50-60m this year so spending half on Kane's backup seems kind of pointless

 

[pieman123]

 

[go you pups]

So this means we're either getting €100m and splashing on a new number 9, or his coach/the metro is full of shit. Who in their right mind would believe that Aubameyang would be able to leave with 3 years to run

Doesnt mean the Metro is a serious source either.

Metro are ******* awful

Can't stand people posting/talking/tweeting etc about what they write as truth. We talk more sense than them here

no dont do it palace.

it'd be like taking on bassong or samba. just overrated footballers who just keep getting chance after chance to get good paychecks at sides who desperately need proper defenders. would go after klose at norwich much sooner that someone gifting caulker another chance. the bloke couldnt get in ahead of kolo toure.

I'm chucking money on Palace relegation if Caulker goes there

Roma won't sell Manolas.

I don't mind Rudiger, had a very good secong half of the season and has played very well at national level too. Good defensively and good with the ball at his feet, which is just what we need. Would rather Koulibaly, but I'd be surprised if Napoli lets him leave. So if Rudiger happens I'll be happy enough.

PLEASE BY RUDIGER PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Higuain is just using us to get a better contract from one of the other English clubs. Which is bloody strange

Either his management is pushing for a bumper new Napoli deal or yeah create interest elsewhere

Can only see him going to PSG, City or Utd (to work back with Jose)
Would be a great get for them

Then again though, DiMarzio said we were in for Ibra dunno what comes out of him is truth or not, just like his mate #Tancredibility



On Long, he would've been damn handy this season off the bench when we needed a 2nd half goal that hacks like Chadli and Mason couldn't provide in many of our draws/losses. His age is the only thing that puts me off, if he were turning 26-27 I'd have no issues, but at 28-29 nope.

We need 3 strikers next season, imo 2 need to be bought in, a winger a holding mid and a deep lying playmaker/box to box. We need to capitalise on our situation being a CL club currently, we should buy a mix of promising youth and solid experience. I hope we are in for Witsel and Wanyama still, our midfield would be awesome with them coming in.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

On Long, he would've been damn handy this season off the bench when we needed a 2nd half goal that hacks like Chadli and Mason couldn't provide in many of our draws/losses. His age is the only thing that puts me off, if he were turning 26-27 I'd have no issues, but at 28-29 nope.

We need 3 strikers next season, imo 2 need to be bought in, a winger a holding mid and a deep lying playmaker/box to box. We need to capitalise on our situation being a CL club currently, we should buy a mix of promising youth and solid experience. I hope we are in for Witsel and Wanyama still, our midfield would be awesome with them coming in.

Highly doubt we'll have the funds available to do all that.

Wanyama I think is looking increasingly likely. Witsel would be on high wages wouldn't he? Wanyama and Diarra will do me fine.

On the bold... Are you trying to hurt me

 

[go you pups]

Highly doubt we'll have the funds available to do all that.

Wanyama I think is looking increasingly likely. Witsel would be on high wages wouldn't he? Wanyama and Diarra will do me fine.

On the bold... Are you trying to hurt me

Nope he's just shit, we are well and truly above his level, he should go somewhere else and be a regular starter as he provides absolutely nothing off the bench for us

Son>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>N'Jie>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Chadli


I guess Wanyama and Diarra would be ok, but would prefer Witsel. We must improve our midfield and attacking depth though, that's a non-negotiable this time around and I will crack the shits if we buy another number 10 while retaining who we already have in those areas, we have 3 already, strikers/wingers/wing-forwards only, or a versatile attacker of the Son mould who can play anywhere across the front four.

 

[Doctor Bojan_]

I don't know why United haven't been linked with Domenico Berardi yet. Would be a very good and logical transfer. C'mon Woody, get to it.

 

[Doctor Bojan_]

Latest Paper Talk
Tuesday May 31

Daily Mail

• Sunderland are pressing ahead with a £10m move for West Ham striker Diafra Sakho.
• Barcelona are considering Juan Mata, who wants to give his Manchester United career under Jose Mourinho a try after a disappointing campaign.

Daily Mirror

• Arsenal appear to have repelled Barcelona's interest in Hector Bellerin - for now, at least - after the Nou Camp club contacted Valencia over defender Joao Cancelo.
• Arsenal defender Calum Chambers admits he wants regular football after enjoying England U21s' Toulon success.
• Abel Hernandez wants to quit Hull and return to Italy - but only after he has established the Tigers in the Premier League.
• Middlesbrough have overtaken Bournemouth in the pursuit of Colombian defender Bernardo Espinosa.
• Roma defender Kostas Manolas is reportedly being tracked by Arsenal and Manchester United this summer, but could end up remaining at the Serie A side.

The Sun

• Manchester United have lodged a £10m bid for West Ham starlet Reece Oxford.
• N'Golo Kante has revealed he's happy with life at Premier League champions Leicester - for the time being.
• Liverpool target Mario Gotze has refused to rule out a move to the Anfield club, but insists that he is currently solely focused on Germany's upcoming Euro 2016 campaign.
• Meanwhile, Gonzalo Higuain is keen to secure a move Liverpool this summer - despite the Reds failing to qualify for Europe next season.
• Neil Taylor has pleaded with Leicester target Gylfi Sigurdsson to stay at Swansea. `

Daily Star

• Chelsea are braced for a huge bid after Diego Simeone told Atletico Madrid to sign Diego Costa if they want him to stay.
• Liverpool striker Samed Yesil is close to securing a dream move to Trabzonspor, reports in Turkey claim.
• Georginio Wijnaldum claims he is still devastated by Newcastle's relegation from the Premier League and is too upset to pledge his future to the club.

Daily Express

• Alexandre Pato has suggested his time at Chelsea is over, revealing a meeting he had with former boss Guus Hiddink.

The Guardian

• Michael Carrick has been offered a year extension to his Manchester United contract by Jose Mourinho, with the veteran midfielder considering whether to extend his stay at Old Trafford into a second decade.

The Times

• Andros Townsend and Danny Drinkwater fear they will be left out when Roy Hodgson confirms his final 23-man squad for the Euro 2016.

Daily Telegraph

• Ryan Giggs is due to return from his holiday in Dubai on Tuesday ahead of an anticipated meeting with Jose Mourinho over his Manchester United future.
• Stoke are leading the chase for Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish, with Everton and Tottenham also interested.
• Liverpool are continuing negotiations with Leicester over left-back Ben Chilwell.

Daily Record

• Neil Lennon has insisted he wasn't miffed at missing out on a Celtic comeback.
• Celtic forward Colin Kazim-Richards is expected to undergo a medical at Brazilian club Coritiba and could put pen-to-paper on a two-year deal.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Nope he's just shit, we are well and truly above his level, he should go somewhere else and be a regular starter as he provides absolutely nothing off the bench for us

Son>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>N'Jie>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Chadli


I guess Wanyama and Diarra would be ok, but would prefer Witsel. We must improve our midfield and attacking depth though, that's a non-negotiable this time around and I will crack the shits if we buy another number 10 while retaining who we already have in those areas, we have 3 already, strikers/wingers/wing-forwards only, or a versatile attacker of the Son mould who can play anywhere across the front four.

Lol. The hatred is strong. One fewer goal than said Son yet didn't start as often... So your descriptor is a little off.

Don't think we will get Witsel, reports of 120k+ p/w wages. Given what we're paying our best players I don't think we will bring him in.
In the end I think we will see 1-2 CM/DM players. 1 ST and maybe 1 LW.

 

[jod23]

Agree to disagree. I dont think the ST we sign will become #1 choice, Kane is definitely one of the best in the league. What we need is someone who can play in the PL after we have mid-week games so we dont over burden Kane. Someone like Long is tried and tested in the league and should be able to come in and start while we give Kane a rest and you know what you'll get from him.

Someone like Jannsen or Batsuyahi could very well be the next big things. Or they could suck and we end up selling for 1/2 the value after one season. Plus I dont know how well they'd go in a front 2 with Kane, haven't watched enough of them to know. But Long would definitely be a great partner (better than Berahino & Callum Wilson that's for sure)

I think it's a good fit also. You know what you get with Long. He knows the league and will probably bring you around 10 goals a season. You dont need a 40 million striker to come in, you only play with one up top and Kane is one of the best in the business.

Seems a good option IMO.

 

[go you pups]

Lol. The hatred is strong. One fewer goal than said Son yet didn't start as often... So your descriptor is a little off.

Don't think we will get Witsel, reports of 120k+ p/w wages. Given what we're paying our best players I don't think we will bring him in.
In the end I think we will see 1-2 CM/DM players. 1 ST and maybe 1 LW.

Son barely started also dude due to Kane/Alli etc, but he was productive in open play when he wasn't scoring, similar to Lamela in ways, he presses, chases and is involved in scoring chains/creates chances.

Chadli was far too anonymous far too often last season and there's no room in our squad for such a player imo

 

[Doctor Bojan_]

I hope Spurs get Shane Long. Just made top 4, opportunity to attract high quality players with UCL football on offer. Yep, Shane Long was my first thought too.

 

[go you pups]

I liked it when Long tore Arsenal a new one

As a depth player he offers more than Chadli, but I would want someone better and younger as back up

 

[jd2010]

I hope Spurs get Shane Long. Just made top 4, opportunity to attract high quality players with UCL football on offer. Yep, Shane Long was my first thought too.

We can't all sign the Depay's and Schweinpig's of the world can we

 

[Doctor Bojan_]

We can't all sign the Depay's and Schweinpig's of the world can we

I would rather buy a very talented young player off the back of a fantastic season and an experienced CM of proven world cup winning quality than shane bloody long. What kind of ambition does that show lol.

 

[jd2010]

I would rather buy a very talented young player off the back of a fantastic season and an experienced CM of proven world cup winning quality than shane bloody long. What kind of ambition does that show lol.

Young player with a bad attitude and an overpaid finished player. We got rid of redknapp and the car window deals a long time ago

 

[jod23]

I hope Spurs get Shane Long. Just made top 4, opportunity to attract high quality players with UCL football on offer. Yep, Shane Long was my first thought too.

As funny as that is, really whats the point in bringing in a 40 million pound striker so he can get annoyed when he sits on the bench all the time and watches Kane knock in goals.