***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (8 Viewers)

[Sammy3469]

I'm in shock that an American soccer team just spent $41m on a four year contract.

Anyone else mildly worried that things are about to go off the rails with the pro leagues here?

MLS about to go to the notorious number 24 (the high water mark of the NASL, though the MLS has generally taken things much slower - well that is until the last couple of years where the pace has seemed to really pick up with adding franchises).

The presence of nebulous competitor in the NASL and the Cosmos. I don't see any way the MLS is knocked off the top-block by NASL, though I'm more concerned if a bidding-war type construct comes about with that team. In spite of the glory of those Cosmos years I have no idea why they are pushing that sort of business model as it was the ruination of the NASL the first time around. Even with the heavy involvement of some of the former Cosmos from the 70s it's comical to consider this some sort of true descendent but that's another matter altogether.

I just have that feeling that the bad old days of over-expansion and salary inflation are creeping back into the picture at a time when the league seems to have gotten a much firmer footing.

Notwithstanding my comments about expansion, I still hold out hope that New Jersey will one day be given an MLS team of its own.

Thoughts?

-QG

I frankly don't quite understand the fascination with going to 24. I can understand why they want more of a southern presence with Atlanta and Miami, but after those 2 I really fail to see any exciting location for expansion. I guess the other 2 frontrunners are Detroit and Orlando, but neither of those locations seem necessary in the short term.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

I honestly thought Giggs had retired this summer.

 

[T Bell]

I honestly thought Giggs had retired this summer.

There can be only one (wing, not woman).

 

[Sebowski]

And I'm sure you'll all be pleased to know my 2013-14 epl predictions will be posted in a few weeks. Just waiting for transfers to settle down a bit.

I'll also have Serie A predictions (top 6 only) since I'm sure you're all on pins and needles.

Give me a Serie A teaser. Will Roma make your top 6?

Absolutely. But, I'm biased because I love the way they play.

Inter not gonna make top 6. From what I've seen so far, they will be lucky to finish top 10.

Gervinho break out party coming this Fall to a Rome near you.

 

[Christo]

Aguedelo signs with Stoke. That makes 4 Yanks. Had to be a record for an EPL team.

Nope.

Fulhamerica worked so well. It's going to be tough coming up with something between Stoke and the Potters.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

And I'm sure you'll all be pleased to know my 2013-14 epl predictions will be posted in a few weeks. Just waiting for transfers to settle down a bit.

I'll also have Serie A predictions (top 6 only) since I'm sure you're all on pins and needles.

Give me a Serie A teaser. Will Roma make your top 6?

Absolutely. But, I'm biased because I love the way they play.

Inter not gonna make top 6. From what I've seen so far, they will be lucky to finish top 10.

Gervinho break out party coming this Fall to a Rome near you.

Forza(head)!

 

[Good Posting Judge]

We'll take Coutinho.

 

[The Gator]

We'll take Coutinho.

SOD

 

[Sebowski]

Saurez is finally speaking for himself.

“I want to move to play in the Champions League and there is a club offering me that opportunity,” he said. “I have told the manager that I want to leave the club.

"I am being accused of showing a lack of loyalty but last year I had the opportunity to move to a big European club and I stayed on the understanding that if we did not qualify for the Champions League the following season then I would be allowed to go.

“I gave absolutely everything last season but it was not enough to give us a top-four finish. Now all I want is that Liverpool honour our agreement.

“Last season, we told Liverpool there was interest from a top European club but they told me: ‘we have a new coach, we are going to push for the Champions League’. I spoke with Brendan Rodgers several times and he told me: ‘stay another season, and you have my word, if we don’t make it then I will personally make sure that you can leave’.

“Liverpool is a club with a reputation for doing things the right way, I just want them to abide by the promises made last season.”

Suárez says his contract was amended to include a clause, which, to his understanding, would allow him to leave if an offer for over £40 million came in.

“I have the club’s word and we have the written contract and we are happy to take this to the Premier League for them to decide the case but I do not want it to come to that,” insisted Suárez. “We have the backing of the PFA.”

More here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/10227164/Luis-Suarez-calls-on-Liverpool-to-keep-promise-to-let-him-leave-the-club-this-summer-as-Arsenal-waits.html

I'm still hoping Real madrid comes in for him. I don't hate him like a lot of people do, but I don't want him at Arsenal. Especially for that price.

 

[The Gator]

When the Bale deal falls through, he'll be off to Madrid

 

[The Gator]

This guy...Oof

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s403x403/1098371_500238170057617_1378468935_n.jpg

 

[T Bell]

When the Bale deal falls through, he'll be off to Madrid

I don't think it's going to fall through. I don't think Spurs spend all that money unless they figure that more is coming back through Bale.

 

[The Gator]

Benzema to Roma

Suarez to Madrid

Lamela to Liverpool

cycle complete

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Gooners > y'all need a new owner.

 

[Christo]

QPR! QPR! QPR! Capital One Cup Here We Go!

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Anzhi is blowing it up.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

Saurez is finally speaking for himself.

“I want to move to play in the Champions League and there is a club offering me that opportunity,” he said. “I have told the manager that I want to leave the club.

"I am being accused of showing a lack of loyalty but last year I had the opportunity to move to a big European club and I stayed on the understanding that if we did not qualify for the Champions League the following season then I would be allowed to go.

“I gave absolutely everything last season but it was not enough to give us a top-four finish. Now all I want is that Liverpool honour our agreement.

“Last season, we told Liverpool there was interest from a top European club but they told me: ‘we have a new coach, we are going to push for the Champions League’. I spoke with Brendan Rodgers several times and he told me: ‘stay another season, and you have my word, if we don’t make it then I will personally make sure that you can leave’.

“Liverpool is a club with a reputation for doing things the right way, I just want them to abide by the promises made last season.”

Suárez says his contract was amended to include a clause, which, to his understanding, would allow him to leave if an offer for over £40 million came in.

“I have the club’s word and we have the written contract and we are happy to take this to the Premier League for them to decide the case but I do not want it to come to that,” insisted Suárez. “We have the backing of the PFA.”

More here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/10227164/Luis-Suarez-calls-on-Liverpool-to-keep-promise-to-let-him-leave-the-club-this-summer-as-Arsenal-waits.html

I'm still hoping Real madrid comes in for him. I don't hate him like a lot of people do, but I don't want him at Arsenal. Especially for that price.

It's funny how things change so quickly.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Bale, Suarez and Rooney all missing club friendlies due to minor knocks. Get well soon lads.

Man, I hope these aren't too serious..

Damn ... David Luiz with a niggle in training and won't play tonight against Real. Godspeed DL4.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Bale, Suarez and Rooney all missing club friendlies due to minor knocks. Get well soon lads.

Man, I hope these aren't too serious..

Damn ... David Luiz with a niggle in training and won't play tonight against Real. Godspeed DL4.

He's out for two weeks with split ends.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

"Hello, ladies. My name is David Luiz, and I like to get kinky."

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Bale, Suarez and Rooney all missing club friendlies due to minor knocks. Get well soon lads.

Man, I hope these aren't too serious..

Damn ... David Luiz with a niggle in training and won't play tonight against Real. Godspeed DL4.

He's out for two weeks with split ends.

Can't be. That would be a fatal injury in this case.

 

[Sebowski]

Saurez is finally speaking for himself.

“I want to move to play in the Champions League and there is a club offering me that opportunity,” he said. “I have told the manager that I want to leave the club.


"I am being accused of showing a lack of loyalty but last year I had the opportunity to move to a big European club and I stayed on the understanding that if we did not qualify for the Champions League the following season then I would be allowed to go.

“I gave absolutely everything last season but it was not enough to give us a top-four finish. Now all I want is that Liverpool honour our agreement.

“Last season, we told Liverpool there was interest from a top European club but they told me: ‘we have a new coach, we are going to push for the Champions League’. I spoke with Brendan Rodgers several times and he told me: ‘stay another season, and you have my word, if we don’t make it then I will personally make sure that you can leave’.

“Liverpool is a club with a reputation for doing things the right way, I just want them to abide by the promises made last season.”

Suárez says his contract was amended to include a clause, which, to his understanding, would allow him to leave if an offer for over £40 million came in.

“I have the club’s word and we have the written contract and we are happy to take this to the Premier League for them to decide the case but I do not want it to come to that,” insisted Suárez. “We have the backing of the PFA.”

More here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/10227164/Luis-Suarez-calls-on-Liverpool-to-keep-promise-to-let-him-leave-the-club-this-summer-as-Arsenal-waits.html

I'm still hoping Real madrid comes in for him. I don't hate him like a lot of people do, but I don't want him at Arsenal. Especially for that price.

It's funny how things change so quickly.

Yes its.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Chelski/Real on tonight. Unfortunately, both teams cannot lose. But it should be an entertaining game for sure.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

Saurez is finally speaking for himself.

“I want to move to play in the Champions League and there is a club offering me that opportunity,” he said. “I have told the manager that I want to leave the club.


"I am being accused of showing a lack of loyalty but last year I had the opportunity to move to a big European club and I stayed on the understanding that if we did not qualify for the Champions League the following season then I would be allowed to go.

“I gave absolutely everything last season but it was not enough to give us a top-four finish. Now all I want is that Liverpool honour our agreement.

“Last season, we told Liverpool there was interest from a top European club but they told me: ‘we have a new coach, we are going to push for the Champions League’. I spoke with Brendan Rodgers several times and he told me: ‘stay another season, and you have my word, if we don’t make it then I will personally make sure that you can leave’.

“Liverpool is a club with a reputation for doing things the right way, I just want them to abide by the promises made last season.”

Suárez says his contract was amended to include a clause, which, to his understanding, would allow him to leave if an offer for over £40 million came in.

“I have the club’s word and we have the written contract and we are happy to take this to the Premier League for them to decide the case but I do not want it to come to that,” insisted Suárez. “We have the backing of the PFA.”

More here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/10227164/Luis-Suarez-calls-on-Liverpool-to-keep-promise-to-let-him-leave-the-club-this-summer-as-Arsenal-waits.html

I'm still hoping Real madrid comes in for him. I don't hate him like a lot of people do, but I don't want him at Arsenal. Especially for that price.

It's funny how things change so quickly.

Yes its.

Not to defend LiverpoolFC News, as I don't even know who that is, but to be fair, pages like that often have more than one moderator. That could easily have been someone completely different posting as the same page. Just a thought.

 

[The Gator]

LiverpoolFC News on tweeter said that?

OH NOSE

 

[Native]

LiverpoolFC News on tweeter said that?

OH NOSE

Ancelotti is Ex-Chelsea; Mourinho is Ex-Real.

Fun!

 

[Sebowski]

Saurez is finally speaking for himself.

“I want to move to play in the Champions League and there is a club offering me that opportunity,” he said. “I have told the manager that I want to leave the club.


"I am being accused of showing a lack of loyalty but last year I had the opportunity to move to a big European club and I stayed on the understanding that if we did not qualify for the Champions League the following season then I would be allowed to go.

“I gave absolutely everything last season but it was not enough to give us a top-four finish. Now all I want is that Liverpool honour our agreement.

“Last season, we told Liverpool there was interest from a top European club but they told me: ‘we have a new coach, we are going to push for the Champions League’. I spoke with Brendan Rodgers several times and he told me: ‘stay another season, and you have my word, if we don’t make it then I will personally make sure that you can leave’.

“Liverpool is a club with a reputation for doing things the right way, I just want them to abide by the promises made last season.”

Suárez says his contract was amended to include a clause, which, to his understanding, would allow him to leave if an offer for over £40 million came in.

“I have the club’s word and we have the written contract and we are happy to take this to the Premier League for them to decide the case but I do not want it to come to that,” insisted Suárez. “We have the backing of the PFA.”

More here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/10227164/Luis-Suarez-calls-on-Liverpool-to-keep-promise-to-let-him-leave-the-club-this-summer-as-Arsenal-waits.html

I'm still hoping Real madrid comes in for him. I don't hate him like a lot of people do, but I don't want him at Arsenal. Especially for that price.

It's funny how things change so quickly.

Yes its.

Not to defend LiverpoolFC News, as I don't even know who that is, but to be fair, pages like that often have more than one moderator. That could easily have been someone completely different posting as the same page. Just a thought.

Fine, but the point is the same. Is it that hard for you to believe that Suarez was really happy one year ago after being promised he can leave if they don't make CL, and now a year later after not being allowed to leave he isn't very happy? Seems pretty straight forward to me.

 

[The Gator]

Awesomeness is PSV/whoever beating Arsenal then Liverpool ok'ing the move to Arsenal.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

Saurez is finally speaking for himself.

“I want to move to play in the Champions League and there is a club offering me that opportunity,” he said. “I have told the manager that I want to leave the club.


"I am being accused of showing a lack of loyalty but last year I had the opportunity to move to a big European club and I stayed on the understanding that if we did not qualify for the Champions League the following season then I would be allowed to go.

“I gave absolutely everything last season but it was not enough to give us a top-four finish. Now all I want is that Liverpool honour our agreement.

“Last season, we told Liverpool there was interest from a top European club but they told me: ‘we have a new coach, we are going to push for the Champions League’. I spoke with Brendan Rodgers several times and he told me: ‘stay another season, and you have my word, if we don’t make it then I will personally make sure that you can leave’.

“Liverpool is a club with a reputation for doing things the right way, I just want them to abide by the promises made last season.”

Suárez says his contract was amended to include a clause, which, to his understanding, would allow him to leave if an offer for over £40 million came in.

“I have the club’s word and we have the written contract and we are happy to take this to the Premier League for them to decide the case but I do not want it to come to that,” insisted Suárez. “We have the backing of the PFA.”

More here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/10227164/Luis-Suarez-calls-on-Liverpool-to-keep-promise-to-let-him-leave-the-club-this-summer-as-Arsenal-waits.html

I'm still hoping Real madrid comes in for him. I don't hate him like a lot of people do, but I don't want him at Arsenal. Especially for that price.

It's funny how things change so quickly.

Yes its.

Not to defend LiverpoolFC News, as I don't even know who that is, but to be fair, pages like that often have more than one moderator. That could easily have been someone completely different posting as the same page. Just a thought.

Fine, but the point is the same. Is it that hard for you to believe that Suarez was really happy one year ago after being promised he can leave if they don't make CL, and now a year later after not being allowed to leave he isn't very happy? Seems pretty straight forward to me.

January and March 2013 aren't last year. That was the whole point. If it was a year ago, I wouldn't have bothered. The point was that, even within the past month or two, it has gone from "This is the club of my dreams. I don't care about the Champions League" to "The English press is against me" to "I have to have the Champions League and you promised". If you can't see that point, then there's not really much else I can tell you.

 

[T Bell]

Awesomeness is PSV/whoever beating Arsenal then Liverpool ok'ing the move to Arsenal.

I give you credit for your progress - you've moved to the Bargaining stage (stage 3) of the Kubler-Ross model.

 

[The Gator]

Lol, not bargaining. I don't think he's going to Arsenal, just stating it would be funny to send him there after they're out of the CL qualifying. If Liverpool decide they want to cut bait, it'll be closer to 50M from arsenal

 

[The Gator]

Professional Footballers' Association chief Gordon Taylor says Luis Suarez's contract does NOT require Liverpool to sell him if they receive a bid of £40m.

Pere> oops?

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I'm sure there will be enough hypocrisy regarding Suarez to go around. I'll get my hypocrisy out in the open.

I think Suarez is kind of a dirtbag. I think he's a talented dirtbag, and I have no aversion to Arsenal signing talented dirtbags so long as they score goals. If he calls some guy a racist name or bites some dude while playing for Arsenal, I won't be mad about any FA punishment but will root for him to score goals when he gets back.

I feel the same way about Ibra. He's a nutcase. Maybe even a "cancer." But he's a cancer who: 1) scores ####loads of goals; and 2) tends to win championships. I'd ritually sacrifice David Seaman's mother for the chance to sign him.

 

[Sebowski]

Saurez is finally speaking for himself.

“I want to move to play in the Champions League and there is a club offering me that opportunity,” he said. “I have told the manager that I want to leave the club.


"I am being accused of showing a lack of loyalty but last year I had the opportunity to move to a big European club and I stayed on the understanding that if we did not qualify for the Champions League the following season then I would be allowed to go.

“I gave absolutely everything last season but it was not enough to give us a top-four finish. Now all I want is that Liverpool honour our agreement.

“Last season, we told Liverpool there was interest from a top European club but they told me: ‘we have a new coach, we are going to push for the Champions League’. I spoke with Brendan Rodgers several times and he told me: ‘stay another season, and you have my word, if we don’t make it then I will personally make sure that you can leave’.

“Liverpool is a club with a reputation for doing things the right way, I just want them to abide by the promises made last season.”

Suárez says his contract was amended to include a clause, which, to his understanding, would allow him to leave if an offer for over £40 million came in.

“I have the club’s word and we have the written contract and we are happy to take this to the Premier League for them to decide the case but I do not want it to come to that,” insisted Suárez. “We have the backing of the PFA.”

More here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/10227164/Luis-Suarez-calls-on-Liverpool-to-keep-promise-to-let-him-leave-the-club-this-summer-as-Arsenal-waits.html

I'm still hoping Real madrid comes in for him. I don't hate him like a lot of people do, but I don't want him at Arsenal. Especially for that price.

It's funny how things change so quickly.

Yes its.

Not to defend LiverpoolFC News, as I don't even know who that is, but to be fair, pages like that often have more than one moderator. That could easily have been someone completely different posting as the same page. Just a thought.

Fine, but the point is the same. Is it that hard for you to believe that Suarez was really happy one year ago after being promised he can leave if they don't make CL, and now a year later after not being allowed to leave he isn't very happy? Seems pretty straight forward to me.

January and March 2013 aren't last year. That was the whole point. If it was a year ago, I wouldn't have bothered. The point was that, even within the past month or two, it has gone from "This is the club of my dreams. I don't care about the Champions League" to "The English press is against me" to "I have to have the Champions League and you promised". If you can't see that point, then there's not really much else I can tell you.

My bad. I misread the date on the first link, and didn't even notice there was a 2nd link till just now. What a #####. That isn't news though.

If there really was a promise that is not being fulfilled, that actually is news.

 

[T Bell]

My bad. I misread the date on the first link, and didn't even notice there was a 2nd link till just now. What a #####. That isn't news though.If there really was a promise that is not being fulfilled, that actually is news.

Thinking as an American lawyer, it's stupid for Suarez not to have put firmer language into his contract about departing if Liverpool failed to make the CL rather than relying upon an oral promise (a promise which, BTW, I have not seen Liverpool deny making).

That said, he's Uruguayan with a Spanish agent and there culturally may have been higher confidence than I would have had in that situation.

Regardless, while the clause would have made it a clear cut transfer at the 40M amount, all this does is mean that he's going to have to agitate to get what he wants so as to make Liverpool want to rid themselves of him. That would seem to have begun to occur here.

 

[Slapdash]

Professional Footballers' Association chief Gordon Taylor says Luis Suarez's contract does NOT require Liverpool to sell him if they receive a bid of £40m.

Pere> oops?

 

[SmoovySmoov]

My bad. I misread the date on the first link, and didn't even notice there was a 2nd link till just now. What a #####. That isn't news though.If there really was a promise that is not being fulfilled, that actually is news.

Thinking as an American lawyer, it's stupid for Suarez not to have put firmer language into his contract about departing if Liverpool failed to make the CL rather than relying upon an oral promise (a promise which, BTW, I have not seen Liverpool deny making).

That said, he's Uruguayan with a Spanish agent and there culturally may have been higher confidence than I would have had in that situation.

Regardless, while the clause would have made it a clear cut transfer at the 40M amount, all this does is mean that he's going to have to agitate to get what he wants so as to make Liverpool want to rid themselves of him. That would seem to have begun to occur here.

While a fantastic player, he has routinely shown that he has the intelligence and maturity of a second grader.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

With three weeks to go (plenty of time for transacting) EPL clubs have spent about 400mil euros acquiring players this summer. Arsenal and WBA are the only clubs who have yet to spend anything. WBA at least picked up a couple interesting frees in Anelka and Lugano. Arsenal are the only team in the green after selling Mannone and Djourou. If they sell Chamakh and Gervinho, they'll be +20mil or so Euros. Perusing transfermarkt, it looks like they've been in the green 4 of the last 5 transfer windows. I think they have to make a big acquisition, just to maintain the brand if for no other reason. There's a good reason Real tries to break is own transfer record every few years. It's the same reason the nouveau riche teams announce their arrival with big signings like Robinho, Sheva, Ibra, Eto'o and Falcao. Its still obviously an extremely valuable worldwide brand, but after selling a couple crown jewels, both team captains, the past few years I think they absolutely need to make a big purchase this summer. Especially after all the talk saying they would do so. Suarez seems an odd choice to me, but he's world class, and Piers loves him. If not Suarez, who else could it be?

 

[Good Posting Judge]

In auction leagues, there are times when you should "overpay" by a few bucks for certain players, yet there's times when you need to walk away. I'd say Arsenal could stand to do more of the former, and Real the latter.

 

[T Bell]

In auction leagues, there are times when you should "overpay" by a few bucks for certain players, yet there's times when you need to walk away. I'd say Arsenal could stand to do more of the former, and Real the latter.

 

[T Bell]

I know Crystal Palace has lost out on some players they were targeting, but right now they've done nothing to improve themselves and they of course already lost Zaha in a transfer to United. They're supposedly trying to get Arsenal's Chamakh on loan, but I don't know how they could possibly stay up.

 

[The Z Machine]

With three weeks to go (plenty of time for transacting) EPL clubs have spent about 400mil euros acquiring players this summer. Arsenal and WBA are the only clubs who have yet to spend anything. WBA at least picked up a couple interesting frees in Anelka and Lugano. Arsenal are the only team in the green after selling Mannone and Djourou. If they sell Chamakh and Gervinho, they'll be +20mil or so Euros. Perusing transfermarkt, it looks like they've been in the green 4 of the last 5 transfer windows. I think they have to make a big acquisition, just to maintain the brand if for no other reason. There's a good reason Real tries to break is own transfer record every few years. It's the same reason the nouveau riche teams announce their arrival with big signings like Robinho, Sheva, Ibra, Eto'o and Falcao. Its still obviously an extremely valuable worldwide brand, but after selling a couple crown jewels, both team captains, the past few years I think they absolutely need to make a big purchase this summer. Especially after all the talk saying they would do so. Suarez seems an odd choice to me, but he's world class, and Piers loves him. If not Suarez, who else could it be?

They should make a move for CRonaldo. Assuming Bale goes to RM that is. That would be a bold move.

 

[bentley]

For the record, it sucks that Suarez is really leaving. Doubly awful that he's staying in the Premier League.

 

[T Bell]

With three weeks to go (plenty of time for transacting) EPL clubs have spent about 400mil euros acquiring players this summer. Arsenal and WBA are the only clubs who have yet to spend anything. WBA at least picked up a couple interesting frees in Anelka and Lugano. Arsenal are the only team in the green after selling Mannone and Djourou. If they sell Chamakh and Gervinho, they'll be +20mil or so Euros. Perusing transfermarkt, it looks like they've been in the green 4 of the last 5 transfer windows. I think they have to make a big acquisition, just to maintain the brand if for no other reason. There's a good reason Real tries to break is own transfer record every few years. It's the same reason the nouveau riche teams announce their arrival with big signings like Robinho, Sheva, Ibra, Eto'o and Falcao. Its still obviously an extremely valuable worldwide brand, but after selling a couple crown jewels, both team captains, the past few years I think they absolutely need to make a big purchase this summer. Especially after all the talk saying they would do so. Suarez seems an odd choice to me, but he's world class, and Piers loves him. If not Suarez, who else could it be?

They should make a move for CRonaldo. Assuming Bale goes to RM that is. That would be a bold move.

I don't see why Ronaldo would want to go to Arsenal from RM. To the extent that CR would want to depart at all, I'd figure he'd only want to go to United (particularly if they sell Rooney), or go to another one of the elite clubs on the continent like Milan or Bayern, or maybe some newly rich club like PSG or Monaco.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Arsenal say 40m, Liverpool say 55m. Sounds like he'll be moving for around 47m unless Real do swoop in.

 

[T Bell]

Arsenal say 40m, Liverpool say 55m. Sounds like he'll be moving for around 47m unless Real do swoop in.

I agree - it'll be between 45M & 50M.

I think Bale's going to RM based upon his increasing posturing in favor of the transfer and the sheer amount of money Spurs are spending in the transfer window, so I don't think RM is going to swoop in on Suarez too.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I'm not convinced that Arsenal should break the bank for just any player. I really wouldn't have gone as high as Napoli did for Higuain. But I do get frustrated that they don't go out and execute their plan early. Dortmund is a club with certain financial constraints. But they identified their targets early and got them. And Aubamayang would have been the the type of signing that could have worked for Arsene.

What's frustrating about Arsenal is you never get the sense that they're executing their plan. They apparently bid at the beginning of the window for Lars Bender. That makes sense. But when Leverkeusen insisted he wasn't for sale, you didn't hear a word about CMs from Arsenal for weeks. Now, I'm just beginning to hear rumors about Gundogan (for a fee that Arsenal will never get him for). But if they knew they needed a box to box CM, their list couldn't be one player long. Same with striker.

I'd rather overpay a bit to get a player at the beginning of the window (because you can't win a title leaking points in the first half of the season) and I'd rather have the number 2 guy on your list on July 25th than the number 1 guy on the list on August 31.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Spurs also also removed Bale from their Twitter list (I guess?), so a move definitely seems like it's more probable than not. I don't think Levy can drag it along for this long and then not have it happen.

And if it does, I don't think RM would go after Suarez too. I mean they might, but apparently Ronaldo's been playing some "9" for RM.

 

[T Bell]

I'm not convinced that Arsenal should break the bank for just any player. I really wouldn't have gone as high as Napoli did for Higuain. But I do get frustrated that they don't go out and execute their plan early. Dortmund is a club with certain financial constraints. But they identified their targets early and got them. And Aubamayang would have been the the type of signing that could have worked for Arsene.

What's frustrating about Arsenal is you never get the sense that they're executing their plan. They apparently bid at the beginning of the window for Lars Bender. That makes sense. But when Leverkeusen insisted he wasn't for sale, you didn't hear a word about CMs from Arsenal for weeks. Now, I'm just beginning to hear rumors about Gundogan (for a fee that Arsenal will never get him for). But if they knew they needed a box to box CM, their list couldn't be one player long. Same with striker.

I'd rather overpay a bit to get a player at the beginning of the window (because you can't win a title leaking points in the first half of the season) and I'd rather have the number 2 guy on your list on July 25th than the number 1 guy on the list on August 31.

That sounds a lot like you're describing Higuain vs. Suarez. Higuain was the "sweet spot" this transfer window at striker for Arsenal, and they fumbled it, apparently over a mere 5-7M which is silly, especially when Higuain's actual price was quite reasonable in this striker market for a player of his quality.

My problem with Suarez is that while it's a lot of money to spend anyway, he's also a risk given his personality. I just don't trust the guy. I don't even really like him on a personal level.

Just in the last hour there are some reports surfacing of Suarez acting up in Liverpool's camp and Rodgers now changing stance on keeping him. It may just be rumors, but do we really want that sort of person in our team, regardless of quality?

 

[T Bell]

Spurs also also removed Bale from their Twitter list (I guess?), so a move definitely seems like it's more probable than not. I don't think Levy can drag it along for this long and then not have it happen.

And if it does, I don't think RM would go after Suarez too. I mean they might, but apparently Ronaldo's been playing some "9" for RM.

The only plausible scenario that would allow both Bale and Suarez to end up at RM would be RM also selling Ronaldo, but the only realistic club for Ronaldo right now would be United, so they'd have to sell Rooney first. All of that could happen, but it would have to happen in record time given that we're approaching mid-August.