27 May 2021 22:48:10
Hello Ed, you've been one of the first to name Pau Torres as a target for United that finally the media are picking up. Any insights you can offer with regards to what happens for him this summer, would he still be looking to move following the Europa victory over us?

{Ed002's Note - The result won't make a difference. Pau Torres (CB) Villareal are struggling financially and will sell this summer at the right price. Manchester City have him as an option still but he is not first choice. Manchester United have him as first choice but only if sufficient sales are made. Barcelona has a sustained interest but price will likely be an issue and they may look to horse trade some players - but priorities will be elsewhere. Napoli see Torres as a Kalidou Koulibaly replacement. Bayern Munich have him as one of three primary targets to fill the two (or potentially three) CB slots they need to address in the summer. Real Madrid want Torres to replace Ramos but do not want to get in to an auction.

1.) 28 May 2021
28 May 2021 00:05:06
Thank you for the in depth answer Ed. In terms of sufficient sales, I imagine that means United are trying to shift Axel and/ or Jones?

{Ed002's Note - Manchester United has a long list of players they are looking to sell.}

2.) 28 May 2021
28 May 2021 07:12:15
Thanks for this Ed002. The reference to sufficient sales, is this because United will probably spend the majority of their ‘available budget’ on one player, meaning any other signings will only be possible post-sales?

{Ed002's Note - What "available budget" are you referring to?}

3.) 28 May 2021
28 May 2021 10:26:06
Chrism894,

The club have been trying to find a buyer for Jones for some time. I'm not there are any clubs out there who are stupid enough to do that. i'd imagine that they would have allow him to leave for next to nothing or pay him out to leave.

4.) 28 May 2021
28 May 2021 11:49:16
Thanks Ed002. Available budget as in the money the club is willing to spend before sales are made.

{Ed002's Note - I have no idea what that is I am afraid. Clubs don't simply say you have £x to spend to whoever - it doesn't work like that.}

5.) 28 May 2021
28 May 2021 11:59:41
OK - I’m learning something already. How is a transfer budget set then prior to sales being made?

{Ed002's Note - What makes you think there is a "transfer budget" - it really does not work like that.}

6.) 28 May 2021
28 May 2021 12:14:11
Would you mind sharing how it does work, Ed?

{Ed002's Note - I am not entirely sure of the extent of what you don't understand and it is cluttering up the page.}

7.) 28 May 2021
28 May 2021 12:36:53
ThisOle I understand that they find targets. Then if the right player becomes available (for example Sancho) money are available for this player (for example 170 millions total) . But if we don't buy Sancho that doesn't mean that 170 millions are available to the coach to "burn" it and spend it in whoever he wants.

8.) 28 May 2021
28 May 2021 13:09:20
Hi Herrera,
Really appreciate that.
So, my current understanding is that the club owners Directors, Chair etc determine an amount of money each season (based on revenue streams, faith in manager etc) to be invested in the club; let’s say £70million for this Summer. This amount may also include/ not include an allocation for player wages.
Let’s say United buy Sancho for £70million this Summer and wages can be agreed. At that point, the club will have no further ‘funds’ available from the club to invest further at that point and so sales of existing players would need to be made to then reinvest in the squad.

I thought that was fairly sound in terms of understanding. I’m very happy be be corrected if anyone has the time.

{Ed002's Note - It doesn't work like that at all. I really don't have time to explain everything fully.}

9.) 28 May 2021
28 May 2021 13:58:56
Thanks Ed002 - appreciate you can’t be expected to clarify everything but do appreciate the time you give.

IF you happen to get the time at some stage, I’d be delighted to read.

{Ed002's Note - Remind me after the transfer window closes.}

10.) 28 May 2021
28 May 2021 21:48:00
Was It some years back, The Equaliser gave Jones a new contract to protect the asset!

Whats the saying. Dick Turpin and masks.

11.) 29 May 2021
29 May 2021 09:56:39
@ThisOle let me take a swing buddy, although i could be more wrong than you loll as i have no idea how the mechanics of football transfer work.

In my humbles of opinions, i think.

The club will, with the help of all involved, first identify the positions that need fixing and the priorities among those positions. Once done, they will come up with a list of players for those positions with A, B, C and D targets for each of those positions (A candidates being the preferred obviously, because of a multitude of factors i.e style, talent, valuation, age, payscale, visas, , their desire to move, availability, competition (which other clubs are chasing em), agents and what have you) .

I think from that point on, its just a matter of negotiating and getting them over the line. I don't mean to say its as simple as that as there can be a lot of other things that go wrong.

I believe the problem occurs when the owners and managers and coaches can't agree on priorities and key positions that need fixing and a power struggle emerges because after all a manager is also an employee who should fall in line, when we all know it couldn't be further from the truth.

I think if the above doesn't occur, then financials are not such a big deal (especially for a select few clubs- A list in which we still belong) . But again, it could be all absolutely wrong as i have yet to be invited to get a deal done for any of the player which frankly is just injustice of the highest order :D.

12.) 29 May 2021
29 May 2021 13:17:25
I think your being overly optimistic Rac.
Basically Ed looks at his copy of FourFourTwo and decides to buy whoever is on the front cover. When he hears the quoted price, he spits out his Coco Puffs in disgust and offers a quarter of what was asked. United then spend the rest of the transfer window briefing journos that its almost done and the selling club will have to accept United's offer. Then at the end of the window when no one is bought, Ed and Matt panic, turn on SSN to see who is avaliable and then offer over the odds to appease the fans.
Sounds crazy, but that policy got us Cavani, and where would we be without him over the last few months.

13.) 29 May 2021
29 May 2021 14:43:41
lolzzzz Grim. i have heard that ed has been seen angrily rubbing a crystal ball quite often so i don't know if that has anything to do with anything.