January Sales?

[Abrak]

Is it my imagination or does it look like the price of top players will rise further this January? In today's Times they have Chelsea considering a 70m quid bid for 'The Hulk'.

It seems, that despite FFP being round the corner, the number of clubs that are effectively billionaires bling is continuing to increase with PSG, Malaga, Anzhi and Shanghai Senhua being added to the equation.

And even if a player is quite cheap like Cahill, his 120k+ a week wage demands place him well beyond the reach of LFC, Arsenal and Spurs and alike.

Cahill is Chelsea bound i think you'll find. If they are to achieve a top four its going to cost them big so no amount of spending on their part would surprise me.

I thought they played really well against us but generally speaking they are a shadow of the team of two years ago.

The Daily Mirror is talking about a 150m budget for Chelsea. That will comfortably blow away any chance of meeting FFP.

The Mirror also talks about Spurs buying Cisse for 15m. Probably all <deleted>.

[smokie36]

Is it my imagination or does it look like the price of top players will rise further this January? In today's Times they have Chelsea considering a 70m quid bid for 'The Hulk'.

It seems, that despite FFP being round the corner, the number of clubs that are effectively billionaires bling is continuing to increase with PSG, Malaga, Anzhi and Shanghai Senhua being added to the equation.

And even if a player is quite cheap like Cahill, his 120k+ a week wage demands place him well beyond the reach of LFC, Arsenal and Spurs and alike.

Cahill is Chelsea bound i think you'll find. If they are to achieve a top four its going to cost them big so no amount of spending on their part would surprise me.

I thought they played really well against us but generally speaking they are a shadow of the team of two years ago.

The Daily Mirror is talking about a 150m budget for Chelsea. That will comfortably blow away any chance of meeting FFP.

The Mirror also talks about Spurs buying Cisse for 15m. Probably all <deleted>.

Who is this Cisse? Is that like the French for six or what??

[Abrak]

Call this the January transfer window? Bloody useless the lot of them. Half way through the month and they havent spent any money. If things carry on like this I might not buy a shirt next season.

[smokie36]

Call this the January transfer window? Bloody useless the lot of them. Half way through the month and they havent spent any money. If things carry on like this I might not buy a shirt next season.

Most of the clubs are skint.....and you're chairman has got to be wondering about his £35m....innit?

Edit: We are only 6/31 through the month. I'd have thought you would know that really Abrak.

[bkkjames]

Call this the January transfer window? Bloody useless the lot of them. Half way through the month and they havent spent any money. If things carry on like this I might not buy a shirt next season.

Yea Abby all pretty quiet thus far....we loaned out one player macheda to qpr

[Abrak]

Edit: We are only 6/31 through the month. I'd have thought you would know that really Abrak.

Yeah I sort of know that everyone waits until the last day of the month and then panics.

But, as I see it, it is not as though January as come as a huge surprise to anyone. In recent years it has pretty regularly followed December. So basically if it was a pretty normal business you would expect that a lot of teams would have already have had all their business pretty much done and dusted before the window has started then they simply dot the ts and cross the is. Afterall Comolli must do something between the beginning of September and the 1st of Jan. A bit like Anelka catching the plane to China.

Anyway, I just think it is a basic human right of a football supporter that clubs should spend horrific amounts of money on a player that we are then entitled to write off as too old, useless, injury prone, bipolar, overrated english or foreign.

[bkkjames]

Edit: We are only 6/31 through the month. I'd have thought you would know that really Abrak.

Yeah I sort of know that everyone waits until the last day of the month and then panics.

But, as I see it, it is not as though January as come as a huge surprise to anyone. In recent years it has pretty regularly followed December. So basically if it was a pretty normal business you would expect that a lot of teams would have already have had all their business pretty much done and dusted before the window has started then they simply dot the ts and cross the is. Afterall Comolli must do something between the beginning of September and the 1st of Jan. A bit like Anelka catching the plane to China.

Anyway, I just think it is a basic human right of a football supporter that clubs should spend horrific amounts of money on a player that we are then entitled to write off as too old, useless, injury prone, bipolar, overrated english or foreign.

Carrol is not that old.

[mrbojangles]

Edit: We are only 6/31 through the month. I'd have thought you would know that really Abrak.

Yeah I sort of know that everyone waits until the last day of the month and then panics.

And I think that plays into the hands of players and agents and racks up prices. IMO there shouldn't be a transfer window at all. Part of the reason for having it was so that teams who got injuries couldn't buy their way out of it but with FFP coming in, they wouldn't be able to buy too many anyway and it may mean that teams aren't forced to pay inflated fees and wages.

[Abrak]

Most of the clubs are skint....

Actually I dont think so....

City - certainly not skint - maybe under orders to get rid before they buy.

Chelsea - certainly not skint - and with a new manager almost certainly an enormous budget. But who is available? Especially with Essien and Cahill they have only one further addition to their CL squad.

Spurs - didnt spend in the summer, can look forward to CL revenues and more deadwood to go, so hardly skint - still need their limited funds for quality striker and quality goalkeeper and who is available

UTD - Have far much more money than people think and are rapidly paying down debt, 600m quid capital raising imminent - maybe Glaziers will take it all?

Arsenal - Again generating huge cash and rapidly paying down debt. Have at least 50m to spend on transfers including money left over from Fab/Nasri sales

Liverpool - You have to assume that FSG wouldnt spend all their rebuild money right away and would keep some back to fill holes that emerged. Also 12m sale of Meireles was unplanned.

Basically my view is that there is nothing around very much worth buying and the odd superstar - say the Hulk - that might be available is going to be silly money.

[Jimjim]

A striker that actually scores lots of goals would be nice, but who's the right one?

Seems we've been linked with about 6 or 7 different new forwards in the last week.

Plus one unexpected signing, whatever position it may be.

I see a lot of LFC fans talking about Hazard all the time. If he even does ever come to LFC, I think it would be the summer at the earliest.

I hate this window in general though it brought some entertaining drama last year.

[Abrak]

Kind of interesting that Demba Ba is supposed to have a 10m release clause in his contract. I wonder if some club would take a punt on him with his injury problems.

[smokie36]

Kind of interesting that Demba Ba is supposed to have a 10m release clause in his contract. I wonder if some club would take a punt on him with his injury problems.

You'll pay more than that...don't be shy!

[MrRed]

Kind of interesting that Demba Ba is supposed to have a 10m release clause in his contract. I wonder if some club would take a punt on him with his injury problems.

He will be good for United's Transition

[smokie36]

Kind of interesting that Demba Ba is supposed to have a 10m release clause in his contract. I wonder if some club would take a punt on him with his injury problems.

He will be good for United's Transition

Is he gonna be sent off in the derby at Anfield like?

[Abrak]

Kind of interesting that Demba Ba is supposed to have a 10m release clause in his contract. I wonder if some club would take a punt on him with his injury problems.

You'll pay more than that...don't be shy!

Well supposedly Spurs, Arsenal and Liverpool are all interested. I cant see him making it past the Liverpool and Arsenal medical though. Still Newcastle arent that fussed they took Sylvian Marveaux in the summer after he failed a medical with us and have punted around the likes of Dyer and Woodgate. So yeah Spurs Woodgate/King seem the ones to take a chance on the medical front I would have thought.

[smokie36]

Kind of interesting that Demba Ba is supposed to have a 10m release clause in his contract. I wonder if some club would take a punt on him with his injury problems.

You'll pay more than that...don't be shy!

Well supposedly Spurs, Arsenal and Liverpool are all interested. I cant see him making it past the Liverpool and Arsenal medical though. Still Newcastle arent that fussed they took Sylvian Marveaux in the summer after he failed a medical with us and have punted around the likes of Dyer and Woodgate. So yeah Spurs Woodgate/King seem the ones to take a chance on the medical front I would have thought.

Its precisely for that reason we won't spend 10 million quid on him. Not good enough for our title winning side anyway.

[Abrak]

Oh well, who knows.

The press seems to think that LFC are going to buy Darren Bent. That is the sort of idea my cat would have. Why employ all those scouts and have DC up to his knees in statistics if the answer to 'we need a striker who can score goals' is Darren Bent?

[smokie36]

Oh well, who knows.

The press seems to think that LFC are going to buy Darren Bent. That is the sort of idea my cat would have. Why employ all those scouts and have DC up to his knees in statistics if the answer to 'we need a striker who can score goals' is Darren Bent?

We all need a striker Abrak that's the problem. All the decent ones are on silly wages though.

[Abrak]

Oh well, who knows.

The press seems to think that LFC are going to buy Darren Bent. That is the sort of idea my cat would have. Why employ all those scouts and have DC up to his knees in statistics if the answer to 'we need a striker who can score goals' is Darren Bent?

We all need a striker Abrak that's the problem. All the decent ones are on silly wages though.

Yes I agree.

I personally think that Spurs will wangle something in the end with Adebayor. City arent looking for much of a transfer fee as they are leaking wages on him on a weekly basis. So I somehow think Spurs will get around the problem by signing him on say a 100k a week contract but giving him a large one-off signing on fee.

You cant even get a Drogba or Anelka at the tail end of their useful footballing life for decent wages these days as the Chinese and Russians want them. And some of the youngsters are asking 150k a week when they are barely out of pampers.

[smokie36]

Oh well, who knows.

The press seems to think that LFC are going to buy Darren Bent. That is the sort of idea my cat would have. Why employ all those scouts and have DC up to his knees in statistics if the answer to 'we need a striker who can score goals' is Darren Bent?

We all need a striker Abrak that's the problem. All the decent ones are on silly wages though.

Yes I agree.

I personally think that Spurs will wangle something in the end with Adebayor. City arent looking for much of a transfer fee as they are leaking wages on him on a weekly basis. So I somehow think Spurs will get around the problem by signing him on say a 100k a week contract but giving him a large one-off signing on fee.

You cant even get a Drogba or Anelka at the tail end of their useful footballing life for decent wages these days as the Chinese and Russians want them. And some of the youngsters are asking 150k a week when they are barely out of pampers.

Cahill is the big joke. Chelski are welcome mate.

[carmine]

Oh well, who knows.

The press seems to think that LFC are going to buy Darren Bent. That is the sort of idea my cat would have. Why employ all those scouts and have DC up to his knees in statistics if the answer to 'we need a striker who can score goals' is Darren Bent?

One might also say why employ a clown like Damien Comolli in the first place? We've never looked back since Levy sacked the idiot.

it will probably remain one of the biggest mysteries in football to me as to how that man gets employment.

[carmine]

Oh well, who knows.

The press seems to think that LFC are going to buy Darren Bent. That is the sort of idea my cat would have. Why employ all those scouts and have DC up to his knees in statistics if the answer to 'we need a striker who can score goals' is Darren Bent?

We all need a striker Abrak that's the problem. All the decent ones are on silly wages though.

Yes I agree.

I personally think that Spurs will wangle something in the end with Adebayor. City arent looking for much of a transfer fee as they are leaking wages on him on a weekly basis. So I somehow think Spurs will get around the problem by signing him on say a 100k a week contract but giving him a large one-off signing on fee.

You cant even get a Drogba or Anelka at the tail end of their useful footballing life for decent wages these days as the Chinese and Russians want them. And some of the youngsters are asking 150k a week when they are barely out of pampers.

Agree with you there on Adebayor. Thats the only way the likes of Spurs can compete anyway in this ludicous market. We still need another striker of his equal ability though. Defoe is simply not that man and Pavlyuchenko will be sold in the near future aswell. I still hold onto hopes of signing Leandro Damiao.

[Abrak]

So let's sum up. Transfers so far.

Thierry Henry to Arsenal

Scholes to Man U

that's it.....very 1990s

[carmine]

So let's sum up. Transfers so far.

Thierry Henry to Arsenal

Scholes to Man U

that's it.....very 1990s

If ever there was a blatently obvious case of papering over cracks its those two deals.

[bkkjames]

So let's sum up. Transfers so far.

Thierry Henry to Arsenal

Scholes to Man U

that's it.....very 1990s

If ever there was a blatently obvious case of papering over cracks its those two deals.

Robbie Keane to Spurs, you heard it here last.

[carmine]

So let's sum up. Transfers so far.

Thierry Henry to Arsenal

Scholes to Man U

that's it.....very 1990s

If ever there was a blatently obvious case of papering over cracks its those two deals.

Robbie Keane to Spurs, you heard it here last.

Not in a million years!

[Abrak]

Of the players linked to Liverpool, one I like is Junior Hoilett. He is bound to move because his contract is up in the summer and Blackburn have to cash in. Spurs are favorites to get him but I dont see how he fits in and will get a game. He makes a good replacement for one of Maxi/Bellamy/Kuyt all of who are getting on.

The other name I like is Jackson Martinez. No idea whatsoever what he is like (doesnt even feature in FIFA 12). But is a Colombian with a good goal scoring record and a name that makes him sound like a crack cocaine dealer.

[carmine]

Of the players linked to Liverpool, one I like is Junior Hoilett. He is bound to move because his contract is up in the summer and Blackburn have to cash in. Spurs are favorites to get him but I dont see how he fits in and will get a game. He makes a good replacement for one of Maxi/Bellamy/Kuyt all of who are getting on.

The other name I like is Jackson Martinez. No idea whatsoever what he is like (doesnt even feature in FIFA 12). But is a Colombian with a good goal scoring record and a name that makes him sound like a crack cocaine dealer.

I think its doubtful our focus is on Hoilett. Agree though he's a good player but our needs are elsewhere.

[Abrak]

Of the players linked to Liverpool, one I like is Junior Hoilett. He is bound to move because his contract is up in the summer and Blackburn have to cash in. Spurs are favorites to get him but I dont see how he fits in and will get a game. He makes a good replacement for one of Maxi/Bellamy/Kuyt all of who are getting on.

The other name I like is Jackson Martinez. No idea whatsoever what he is like (doesnt even feature in FIFA 12). But is a Colombian with a good goal scoring record and a name that makes him sound like a crack cocaine dealer.

I think its doubtful our focus is on Hoilett. Agree though he's a good player but our needs are elsewhere.

It could be that your interest in Blackburn is more Samba and people are putting 2+2 and making 5. Afterall he is the first player that you have been linked with all season that Harry has NOT actually expressed an interest in.

Note to Martinez. We know that at your previous club Medellin, it was acceptable to assassinate linesmen who made the wrong call **my hero**. Please note that cultural differences in the UK mean that such practices are deemed inappropriate and may lead to sanction by the FA.

[Abrak]

Hmmm according to Harry the actual buyout price on Demba Ba 'is even less than 7m'. Gee at that sort of price City can buy him and put him in the reserves.

The Cahill saga is turning into the most pathetic of the window. He wants 120k a week - Chelsea dont want to pay but Spurs, Liverpool and Utd are queuing up to buy him if the Chelsea move falls through. Yeah right, he wouldnt actually get off our bench (not a lot of positions I can say that for) and anyways if you cant persuade Chelsea to massively overpay you - just dream on. I wonder what Bolton fans will think of his legacy if he decides to stick it out until the summer so they dont get a transfer fee and he gets a signing on bonus.

I want Chelsea to sign The Hulk (who actually isnt that big but looks tall to the Japanese.)