16 Jun 2020 11:10:07
Van De Beek to Real Madrid possibly off? Â£45m for a clearly talented 23yo would fit into the young side Ole is looking to build. I increasingly suspect money wise though we are only making one signing and RW a bigger first team priority.

1.) 16 Jun 2020
16 Jun 2020 11:56:58
I think this rumour is about the club covering their bases. Clearly Sancho is first choice for RW, while Grealish is first choice for AM.

However, in the current climate the club needs to weigh up how much the club spends on transfers and which positions they bring in.

Grealish of 60m or DvdB for 40m? The club needs to try and find better value in this window due to the uncertainties.

While targeting players from the EPL is often preferable for several reasons, it is almost always more expensive than bringing in players from abroad.

Another rumour this morning is the club looking at Leon Bailey as an alternative to Sancho as he would cost around 40m instead of 100m.

While our club is in a stronger position than most, it would be foolish to believe the club could just splash out on fees as if the current situation doesn't exist.

{Ed002's Note - Leon Bailey is a LW and it makes no sense to buy him to play RW.}

2.) 16 Jun 2020
16 Jun 2020 11:56:58
I think this rumour is about the club covering their bases. Clearly Sancho is first choice for RW, while Grealish is first choice for AM.

However, in the current climate the club needs to weigh up how much the club spends on transfers and which positions they bring in.

Grealish of 60m or DvdB for 40m? The club needs to try and find better value in this window due to the uncertainties.

While targeting players from the EPL is often preferable for several reasons, it is almost always more expensive than bringing in players from abroad.

Another rumour this morning is the club looking at Leon Bailey as an alternative to Sancho as he would cost around 40m instead of 100m.

While our club is in a stronger position than most, it would be foolish to believe the club could just splash out on fees as if the current situation doesn't exist.

3.) 16 Jun 2020
16 Jun 2020 17:44:40
Ed002, I'm aware that Bailey primarily plays on the left (although his breakthrough season came playing mostly off the right) .

It was more a point that the club are being linked to other wingers who are supposedly "cheaper" options.

I think that although the club clearly have first choices for each position, due to the unique nature of the window this season and the uncertainty going forward. I would imagine the club won't "break the bank" to sign the first choices if their club's aren't prepared to negotiate down, with the club swiftly moving on to other targets.

Given the financial uncertainty in world football its going to be a tough summer to predict transfer wise. I would imagine that the EPL teams are maybe slightly better off on average than many other European teams. So it might be easier to get a fairer deal abroad than from within the EPL this summer.

{Ed002's Note - Manchester United have alternate targets to Sancho although he is still being offered to two other sides as well. I am not aware of any approach by MU for Leon Bailey at this time at all. Certainly Bayer Leverkusen are not looking to sell him and have not been looking for a replacement for him as they have been for Havertz.}

4.) 16 Jun 2020
16 Jun 2020 18:12:20
Ed002 do you think Havertz will move to Bayern?

{Ed002's Note - As it stands right now there is a chance that he might.}

5.) 16 Jun 2020
16 Jun 2020 19:48:17
Imagine Bayern lining up with Lewandowski up top with Sane, Havertz and Gnabry behind with Kimmich and Goretzka holding.

Five of those six being German means they are likely to stay most of their careers.

Defence of Pavard, Sule, Hernandez and Davies, with Neuer in goal.

Long term they have Nubel and Zirkzee to potentially take over from Neuer and Lewandowski.

With a couple of good signings this summer Bayern could be set up for the next 5-8 years.

6.) 17 Jun 2020
17 Jun 2020 13:28:01
And it seems like they'll get Kouassi as well, Shappy. Fantastic squad building by them. Obviously also helps that most German top talents dream of joining them.

7.) 18 Jun 2020
18 Jun 2020 10:59:55
Ed002, who are the alternative targets to Sancho? Cheers.

{Ed002's Note -

Federico Chiesa (RW/F) much more affordable than Sancho but Inter remain keen although talks are now on hold. Fiorentina are willing to sell in the summer for â‚¬65M in cash. Very good option for the club.

Cengiz Under (RW) was injured at the start of the season and has not performed well since - Roma wanted him moved on in January - Kluivert and Zaniola have proven to be adequate replacements although JK is really a LW. CU's agents are hawking him around having spoken with several English sides including Spurs and Manchester United as they are expected to pay more. An option exists with Everton for an exchange involving Moise Kean (S). Risky but a viable option.

Ferran Torres (RW/LW) considered as a potential Jadon Sancho replacement but likely priced out of a move to Borussia Dortmund - will end up at Real Madrid or Barcelona in all probability at some point. But, if Salah were to depart Liverpool he could well become an option for them but for now that is not the case. The player has made no secret of his desire to join Barcelona at some point. Valencia have a replacement lined up but the â‚¬100M asking price would need to drop to make a transfer anywhere viable this summer. Juventus has enquired after his availability but would need to make sales to fund a move. A third party has suggested to Manchester United that Ferran Torres would be a better option to Jadon Sancho as the deal would be far, far cheaper for them. The player will have no interest in joining Manchester United.

Isaac Lihadji (RW) kiddie from Marseille who is attracting interest of several leading sides - will not be interested in joining MU but Arsenal and Spurs have spoken with his agent - much to the annoyance of Marseille. Common sense dictates he should sign a new contract and stay where he is but Lille and Dortmund are prepared to put high value offers on the table. Heading elsewhere.

Facundo Pellistri (RW) Newcastle, Maritimo, Manchester United and Oviedo have looked Pellistri but a Work Permit would likely be difficult to obtain in England. Manchester City have offered a creative solution. Might be one to not lose sight of.}

8.) 18 Jun 2020
18 Jun 2020 14:47:48
Fantastic, Thanks Ed002. I take it United have no interest in taking either Costa or Bernardeschi from Juventus in a deal for Pogba then?

{Ed002's Note - They don't have that option at the moment.}

9.) 19 Jun 2020
19 Jun 2020 15:45:48
Shappy, Costa and Bernardeschi arenâ€™t good enough and they would be a huge backwards step as far as Iâ€™m concerned, especially if it meant Pogba leaving as well. Thereâ€™s numerous players available who would be far better, and would fit our recent transfer policy. I appreciate the cost involved for Sancho might prove too great, Havertz probably wouldnâ€™t pick United over Bayern, and Bailey possibly wouldnâ€™t pick us over City who are supposedly interested given Sane will be leaving, but if we end up with some Juventus reject on our right wing and a Pogba shaped hole in our midfield next year then it really will confirm what Ed002 has said all along, we are being run by amateurs.