1 hour ago, dansubrosa said:

Southampton now have a manager with Liverpool ties.

means f**k all.  Their board wont sell to Liverpool.   Everyone is forgetting the public media release ending any interest

On the centre back theme. Manolas seems to be going to Zenit for 35m pounds. 

Interesting after our interest last summer that we haven't returned for him. Seems a more realistic signing given he seems to be actually be available unlike VVD or Bonucci.

6 minutes ago, Spiller86 said:

On the centre back theme. Manolas seems to be going to Zenit for 35m pounds. 

Interesting after our interest last summer that we haven't returned for him. Seems a more realistic signing given he seems to be actually be available unlike VVD or Bonucci.

VVD is deffinatly available, he is at a mid table selling club, has stated he wants CL football and has interest from us, city and Liverpool, what makes you think he isn't available?

2 minutes ago, DonAntonio said:

VVD is deffinatly available, he is at a mid table selling club, has stated he wants CL football and has interest from us, city and Liverpool, what makes you think he isn't available?

There ridiculous reported asking price.

That and Southampton's firm insistence they won't sell. They also have a new manager as well. Can't imagine that will get things off on the right foot if they sell their best player. 

Can't see VVD moving now - reckon he'll stay at least until next summer. If up to me I'd offer up to £50m and throw in £25m Ake to sweeten the deal.

Edited June 23, 20179 yr by the special one

That and Southampton's firm insistence they won't sell. They also have a new manager as well. Can't imagine that will get things off on the right foot if they sell their best player. 

They've done that several times in the past 4 years or so.

Can't see VVD moving now - reckon he'll stay at least until next summer. If up to me I'd offer up to £50m and throw in £25m Ake to sweeten the deal.

Thank God it's not up to you. That's a terrible deal for CFC.

10 minutes ago, Barrettinator said:

That's a terrible deal for CFC.

I'd argue with VVD we'd be buying a player for 3 positions - CB/LCB in a back 3 + LCB in a back 4. If it's assumed £30m is the going rate for 1 position... £30m x 3 = £90m. If £50m + Ake keeps Conte happy for me that represents value.

I don't think we're in a position to negotiate on our terms.

Sure we are. He's not the only CB around. 

20 hours ago, DonAntonio said:

Looks like we are getting things moving I'm a huge VVD proponent I think he would be next level for us but him for 68 million euros or koulibaly for 60 million euros, tough choice for me I like them both, maybe go with VVD for PL experience the Italian league is much slower although player vs player I think koulibaly is almost world class, been watching him a bit this season he is top notch.

68 mil Euros is a lot of money for s player that was at Celtic 2 years ago, Southampton shouldn't say no. If this gets done and the Bako deal is done, that's 2 good signings,  I rate bakayoko more than most here seem to, add Sandro and we are very solid, no rwb may spell a back 4 though. If we can add a top forward I think that would be a very good window.  

I agree with you about Koulibaly being the better player of the two. In fact I reckon VVD's ball playing skills are overrated, whereas I think KK can also operate as a DM. Koulibaly for me, without doubt.

4 minutes ago, the special one said:

I'd argue with VVD we'd be buying a player for 3 positions - CB/LCB in a back 3 + LCB in a back 4. If it's assumed £30m is the going rate for 1 position... £30m x 3 = £90m. If £50m + Ake keeps Conte happy for me that represents value.

I don't think we're in a position to negotiate on our terms.

The 3 x £30m logic only holds if VVD's presence meant you could trim your squad size be two bodies because he effectively covers those other two positions, if indeed it's accurate to consider them three separate roles, requiring to be covered by three different 3 squad members whch I don't suppose we would think was necessary. In short £90m is right out of the question. Mind you, so too is £60m as far as I'm concerned.

3 hours ago, the special one said:

I'd argue with VVD we'd be buying a player for 3 positions - CB/LCB in a back 3 + LCB in a back 4. If it's assumed £30m is the going rate for 1 position... £30m x 3 = £90m. If £50m + Ake keeps Conte happy for me that represents value.

I don't think we're in a position to negotiate on our terms.

Kennedy can play 5 positions he isn't worth 100 mil, I think VVD is worth 60 all by him self as a CB, should I say worth it to us at 60 mil, as I think he will help us win things, in the context of his experience and track record it's very expensive but he is some player 

Edited June 24, 20179 yr by DonAntonio

21 hours ago, Spiller86 said:

On the centre back theme. Manolas seems to be going to Zenit for 35m pounds. 

Interesting after our interest last summer that we haven't returned for him. Seems a more realistic signing given he seems to be actually be available unlike VVD or Bonucci.

I think it's another under the radar signings we might have missed out on. He might have not been performing as spectacular as he did when he broke out but he seems a tidy footballer to me

20 hours ago, Spiller86 said:

That and Southampton's firm insistence they won't sell. They also have a new manager as well. Can't imagine that will get things off on the right foot if they sell their best player. 

This I agree with somewhat. I'd be fuming if I was a Soton fan to be honest, they could arguably compete for Top 4 had they retained some of their players.

20 hours ago, the special one said:

Can't see VVD moving now - reckon he'll stay at least until next summer. If up to me I'd offer up to £50m and throw in £25m Ake to sweeten the deal.

Sure, sell one of our highest rated youth while overpaying a 40m CB

19 hours ago, the special one said:

I'd argue with VVD we'd be buying a player for 3 positions - CB/LCB in a back 3 + LCB in a back 4. If it's assumed £30m is the going rate for 1 position... £30m x 3 = £90m. If £50m + Ake keeps Conte happy for me that represents value.

I don't think we're in a position to negotiate on our terms.

We are in a position to negotiate our terms as

A) There are a host of other CBs that we can bid on

B) We offer Champions League

C) We are the current Prem Champions that atm has a good chance of going to the latter stages of CL

D) A coach who maximizes a player's strength and has groomed arguably one of the best defensive line in world football from mediocrity.

E) We can offer wages on par to the best of them

F) We're not Liverpool who has bought 1/3 of their first team at this point as well as being respectful enough not to incur any problems with the Soton Board thus far, we may have skirted the line though lol

16 minutes ago, Deino said:

A) There are a host of other CBs that we can bid on

Respectfully I disagree, for me van Dijk and Bonucci are the only two CBs who I think could really take us to the next level. Ake is a good fit for the back 3, but would he step up against the likes of Lewandowski, Mandzukic, or Dzeko when it counts? I'd bet against it personally. Koulibaly has been discussed but I have my doubts if he'd fit in to the back 3, same goes for the likes of Romagnoli, Laporte, Rudiger etc

If Southampton are willing to sell van Dijk if Ake is part of the deal then sadly ruthless decisions need to be made.

Edited June 24, 20179 yr by the special one

17 hours ago, DonAntonio said:

Kennedy can play 5 positions he isn't worth 100 mil, I think VVD is worth 60 all by him self as a CB, should I say worth it to us at 60 mil, as I think he will help us win things, in the context of his experience and track record it's very expensive but he is some player 

The point I was trying to make is that VVD is 'worth £30m' in each of the specific roles he can play, would you pay £30m for Kenedy to play at LM? For me if we sign van Dijk we'd potentially be a RCB short of seamlessly being able to switch between a back 3 or a back 4 (something Conte achieved at Juventus with Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini). I don't get the impression Conte feels confident with Azpi, Cahill and Luiz at CB in a back 4, that's why for me VVD would be worth every penny. If VVD costs a bomb so be it, sell Zouma and Ake to balance the books.

Edited June 24, 20179 yr by the special one

3 minutes ago, the special one said:

Respectfully I disagree, for me van Dijk and Bonucci are the only two CBs who I think could really take us to the next level. Ake is a good fit for the back 3, but would he step up against the likes of Lewandowski, Mandzukic, or Dzeko when it counts? I'd bet against it personally. Koulibaly has been discussed but I have my doubts if he'd fit in to the back 3, same goes for the likes of Romagnoli, Laporte, Rudiger etc

If Southampton are willing to sell van Dijk if Ake is part of the deal then sadly ruthless decisions need to be made.

What about Boateng or Sokratis? I think they'd fare well against the forwards you mentioned don't you think? Ofc we could argue who can do what against who all day long but I see your point.

Ake is untested against the truly world class forwards so I see why you'd sell him but in a back 3 why do you think it'd be Ake who will be targeted by those you've mentioned? If anyone is to be targeted, surely it'd be Luiz or Cahill or even Azpi no? And does this back 3 in your mind include Christensen? There are more at play in a 3 backline than there are in 2 and football can be more than just head to head battles.

In short, I think it'd be better if we avoid selling our best youths in trying to get players. It's not like we're cash-strapped or Arsenal

i could be miles off, but i don't see Southampton selling him to Liverpool out of principle and spite now.  I fail to see how the deal can happen, bridges burnt etc

Do they really care? clubs tap up players all the time i expect Southampton do it too. Money talks and if Liverpool offer enough they will let him go

4 hours ago, the special one said:

The point I was trying to make is that VVD is 'worth £30m' in each of the specific roles he can play, would you pay £30m for Kenedy to play at LM? For me if we sign van Dijk we'd potentially be a RCB short of seamlessly being able to switch between a back 3 or a back 4 (something Conte achieved at Juventus with Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini). I don't get the impression Conte feels confident with Azpi, Cahill and Luiz at CB in a back 4, that's why for me VVD would be worth every penny. If VVD costs a bomb so be it, sell Zouma and Ake to balance the books.

I don't really think you can make that argument he isn't a crazy versatile player like Dave, I think most CB's could play on the left of the right CB if asked to,  Garry Chill isn't particularly a naturally gifted player and he has played in all the rolls you're saying,  and I mean what makes you think he can do that better than the next player, I want VVD I think he is excellent for us but what you're saying makes no sense to me. 

On 2017-6-23 at 23:23, jack_super_class said:

There ridiculous reported asking price.

That's not ridiculous when us, city and apparently even liverpool can easily afford it, how does 60 million make a player unavailable.....we got 60 million for oscar are you serious? And if it's too much and the consensus is he is worth 40 they will still sell for that but truth is he might go for even more because clubs are willing to pay, he is certainly not unavailable. 

9 hours ago, the special one said:

The point I was trying to make is that VVD is 'worth £30m' in each of the specific roles he can play, would you pay £30m for Kenedy to play at LM? For me if we sign van Dijk we'd potentially be a RCB short of seamlessly being able to switch between a back 3 or a back 4 (something Conte achieved at Juventus with Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini). I don't get the impression Conte feels confident with Azpi, Cahill and Luiz at CB in a back 4, that's why for me VVD would be worth every penny. If VVD costs a bomb so be it, sell Zouma and Ake to balance the books.

I think we're on the same page about VVD but I wouldn't want to part with Ake unless it was a deal breaker. I don't think we're missing a RCB in a 4 either. Dave-Cahill/luiz-VVD-LB would be alright. But to your point he gives us options to play both 3 and 4 defenders plus he himself could play 2 if not 3 of the CB roles in a back 3

The Sun are saying that Ake is set to join Bournemouth for £20m when he returns from holiday in July...blimey if it's true we better be getting some replacements in soon...

I think if we were to sign Virgil he would give us flexibility. I've watched him play any of the roles in a back three and do it well. Couple of performances for Holland in particular have been great (Belgium and France

Not saying he is worth the cash but our biggest risk I think is an injury to David Luiz. Noone else has the passing range to play that role (perhaps Christensen but that is a big ask in his first year). Van Dijk can do that.

Van Dijk, Luiz, Cahill, Christensen and Ake with Dave is a very solid rotation.

4 hours ago, doctorblue said:

The Sun are saying that Ake is set to join Bournemouth for £20m when he returns from holiday in July...blimey if it's true we better be getting some replacements in soon...

VVD, Christensen,Luiz, Azpilicueta, Cahill and Alonso is more then enough cover, 20mil for Ake with buyback clause is a good deal.