Never understand why we would want to go to Oz - surely, with an American coach we'd be better off going to the States, the fastest growing market for footy in the world. Why Myanmar, when at that time, with Bielsa, the club's global profile could have profited far more by going to South America? Seems like a no-brainer to me.

We won't sign eight seniors. No chance. Reckon we'll be lucky to sign six, even with the Phillips/Raphinha windfall.

5m for an 18-yr old? Reckon this had something to do with the Phillips transfer, making him a bit cheaper for City cos they're a bit strapped for cash at the minute...

Just hope Raphinha goes to Barcelona - we don't want him ripping us to shreds for Chelsea this season.

I phuqing hate the close season and all the speculation.

comment by Jaz63 (U8369)
posted 17 minutes ago
Never understand why we would want to go to Oz - surely, with an American coach we'd be better off going to the States, the fastest growing market for footy in the world. Why Myanmar, when at that time, with Bielsa, the club's global profile could have profited far more by going to South America? Seems like a no-brainer to me.
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Agree completely. America makes way more sense given the American owners, manager AND signings.
Think we need 8 players added to the squad and again, not all of them should be overseas gambles. Should be able to sign players from the likes of Brighton, Saints, Palace, Brentford etc.

Hopefully we get a couple in this week excluding the youngster as we're set to lose Roberts, Cresswell and possibly Shack too.

We clearly need to recruit, surprise, surprise we have an owner who is potless and the only way we can operate is selling. Raphinha needs to move on in order for us to buy. The only club willing (or able) to pay the asking price is Chelsea. Barcelona do not have the money to register the players they currently have and whilst they are willing to buy can only do so in installments and then at a reduced price.
Raphinha, in the meantime, has turned down Chelsea in a bid to force through his sale to Barcelona.
Chelsea are still wanting to buy but how long will it be before they look elsewhere? If they do we will be stuck with one suiter. They are trying to create a pure monopsony. A market where there is only one buyer, to force the price down.
We play Chelsea twice next season (not counting cups of course), the most damage he can do is help deprive us of six points, if he moves to Barca at the price they are willing to pay, he is likely to cause more damage as it would reduce what we could spend on recruitment.
Though I have enjoyed his skills, I have never really warmed to Raphinha as a person, I think there is a lot of self before side as far LUFC are concerned and he appears to be colluding with Barca and Deco to mug us off.
He needs to sign for Chelsea now and stop taking the P.

On the money as always Wetherby.

Said it before, as things currently stand very worried a out season ahead

Though I have enjoyed his skills, I have never really warmed to Raphinha as a person, I think there is a lot of self before side as far LUFC are concerned and he appears to be colluding with Barca and Deco to mug us off.

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Ya what, he’s giving everything for two seasons.


He needs to sign for Chelsea now and stop taking the P.
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He wants to play for Barca, this isnt slavery. Its not his fault barca hasnt the money. But that doesnt mean he should be forced to play for chelsea

8 Players?

Id say we ideally need another CM, CF, LB, Experienced GK

Another AM/Winger if Raph goes

So thats 6 - where does the other 2 come from unless we get rid of some?

Id say Roberts can go as Joffy and Greenwood are in front of him so cant see where he plays? Shackleton would be useful as a utility player but we would be stifling his career by staying at the club.

8 players is a lot of money to spend.

Way I see it, we will have 16 first team players once Phillips and Raphinha have left, Roberts, Shack and Cresswell going out too, take into account players like Greenwood and Bate aren't cutting it at this level.

5 Subs allowed for next season leaves us very tight when we really struggled last season to field a team at times.

8 players in is a lot and wont happen, but it's what we need IMO

comment by LIW Rad a %#@% and so is Orta (U8453)
posted 30 minutes ago

Though I have enjoyed his skills, I have never really warmed to Raphinha as a person, I think there is a lot of self before side as far LUFC are concerned and he appears to be colluding with Barca and Deco to mug us off.

———————————

Ya what, he’s giving everything for two seasons.


He needs to sign for Chelsea now and stop taking the P.
—————————————

He wants to play for Barca, this isnt slavery. Its not his fault barca hasnt the money. But that doesnt mean he should be forced to play for chelsea
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But Barca cannot afford him, how do you see that coming about without us cutting the amount we accept for him? I tell you we will end up getting below the amount we know he is worth (Chelsea's offer) because he is so set on Barcelona.

Wetherby - I thought Greenwood was okay in CM when he played there. The last game of the season he was excellent in my opinion and forced himself above Roberts. I dont really see him as a striker but someone who can fill in CM/AM role

But Barca cannot afford him, how do you see that coming about without us cutting the amount we accept for him?
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Cant afford him, dont sell him, its that simple

Apparently Barca want to pay 20 now and the rest in installments. Id tell them to pay up or sod off. He's under contract, he's our player.

Apparently Barca want to pay 20 now and the rest in installments.

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Thats how most transfers work

Sinisterra from Feyenoord seems to be a possible Raph replacement. Or a Poveda or Costa replacement

comment by LIW Rad a %#@% and so is Orta (U8453)
posted 2 hours, 6 minutes ago

Though I have enjoyed his skills, I have never really warmed to Raphinha as a person, I think there is a lot of self before side as far LUFC are concerned and he appears to be colluding with Barca and Deco to mug us off.

———————————

Ya what, he’s giving everything for two seasons.


He needs to sign for Chelsea now and stop taking the P.
—————————————

He wants to play for Barca, this isnt slavery. Its not his fault barca hasnt the money. But that doesnt mean he should be forced to play for chelsea
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More importantly it's not our fault.
Sell him to Chelsea right away.

You cant force someone to go somewhere they dont want to 🤦

Viewing comments here, I’d probably take two installments of £30m and maybe a sell on clause. You can’t make a player move to a certain club, but you can make them honour their contract…now he may down tools and phone it in, but we can’t just “give” him away to Barca because they are skint.

comment by LIW Rad a %#@% and so is Orta (U8453)
posted 1 hour, 43 minutes ago
You cant force someone to go somewhere they dont want to 🤦
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Too bad. Because the player can hold the team he signed a contract with hostage to play with his boyhood club.
We got quite a deal signing raphinia so we should be able to profit from it.

Where have people imagined that Raphinha is holding us hostage from?

He's not forcing anyone to do anything.

As I understand it he's said to Deco he'd rather stay at Leeds than join another English club. So in my view if Barcelona are not paying up he stays, quite simple really. Cant force a player to go to a club he doesn't want to go to.

does make me wonder if Barcelona are close to agreement though if we are signing another winger.

I would put money on us bringing in 3 or 4 at most from this point.

comment by LIW Rad a %#@% and so is Orta (U8453)
posted 7 hours, 36 minutes ago

But Barca cannot afford him, how do you see that coming about without us cutting the amount we accept for him?
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Cant afford him, dont sell him, its that simple
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We will end up selling him as we need the money to finance extra players. Raphinha is a luxury that at this point we can ill-afford as we need the numbers across the park not just in one position.
Chelsea are the only one willing to meet what we ask but they will soon drop out and look elsewhere.
All Barcelona need to do is bide their time and they will get their man at their price.
It is all well and good saying don't sell but just a touch naive.
The games people play.

comment by LIW Rad a %#@% and so is Orta (U8453)
posted 5 hours, 29 minutes ago
You cant force someone to go somewhere they dont want to 🤦
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True but you can play games to force through the move you do want. Mark my words he will end up going to Barcelona and at a lot lower fee than Chelsea are offering.

comment by LIW Rad a %#@% and so is Orta (U8453)
posted 7 hours, 36 minutes ago
Apparently Barca want to pay 20 now and the rest in installments.

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Thats how most transfers work


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Most but not all, we are asking all up front because that strengthens our hand elsewhere.