3 hours ago, Night-T said:

Even in his sh*t season last year he managed to score 15 goals in 25 games. 
We would really benefit from him. 

In Serie A. A 37yr old Giroud scored 15 league goals in the same league. Take out the 2022/23 season and he looks average.

29 minutes ago, ducavis said:

In Serie A. A 37yr old Giroud scored 15 league goals in the same league. Take out the 2022/23 season and he looks average.

But average would be a massive upgrade on the well below average we have already!!

My take on signing Osimhen is there aren't any outstanding sure fire hits when it comes to strikers at the moment (especially given our record).   Osimhen is probably one of the less risky options and I'd be happy to give him a chance if the price is reasonable.  From what I know about him he's a no nonsense, no dicking about in the box, smash the ball in the back of the net type player.  He's one of the best I've seen aerially, a real dominate header of the ball.  All these traits are completely missing from our team and with Netos excellent crossing along with Enzo's long balls he could really flourish here.

Now my concern is if he will fit Marescas style of football because he's not a passer, creator, or massively involved in the build up (can't recall if he gets involved in pressing I'm assuming not).  However Maresca could adapt to allow him to fit in a similar way Pep has accommodated Haaland who has similar attributes and deficiencies.

On the subject of his wages while probably massive for Napoli it doesn't look like they are ridiculous.  A quick google and it looks like he's on around € 246,000 Weekly which is a lot less than Raheem.  Given Napolis desperation to sell and Victors need to leave the longer we leave this the more chance the fee and wages will be reduced.  If the price is right I'm all in on Victor.  

I've watch seasons after seasons of players messing around in the box taking too many touches and missing opportunities to shot or missing guilt edge chances.  It's time for someone who doesn't think but just cracks the ball in the net.

1 hour ago, WhiteWall said:

Okay, got you. I just couldn't work out the African element of your post as i couldn't see the relevance. But i can see that any new player to this league will be a risk of some sort as to whether they can meet the physicality. He does look built more for the intensity of our league but i get that there is risk involved. 

As you mentioned, physicality. I haven't watched Serie A for years, I have watched a fair amount of Barca and Real in recent years though, referees protect the best forwards in La Liga as is well known, they're generally not as well protected up here, I detest that, as I've said before I want the culture of English football changed, most of the people watching football here should be watching rugby league, rugby league should be the most popular sport in England, only slightly more popular than football but more popular nonetheless.  It's one of the reason why I don't want to see England win the WC or Euros.

As Giroud has scored more goals in Serie A I guess referees protect strikers more in Serie A than the PL, even with the case of the reputation Italian defenders have gotten.

I want referees up here to protect attackers far more from certainly, sociopathic, I would say psychopathic defending at times.  

This is my guess is what happened:

- A deal was agreed for Samu and Medical agreed  

- Napoli realised that if we sign Sami then we wouldnt be able to sign Oshimen which would leave in a very difficult position. 

- Napoli got in contact late and said they are willing to do a deal on Oshimen

- Chelsea then ditched Samu but still needed someone from Ath Madrid because of the Conor deal. Ath Madrid then offered us Felix which was accepted. 
- I’m guessing at this point we’re thrashing out a deal with Napoli for Victor. 

18 minutes ago, Llangennech said:

As you mentioned, physicality. I haven't watched Serie A for years, I have watched a fair amount of Barca and Real in recent years though, referees protect the best forwards in La Liga as is well known, they're generally not as well protected up here, I detest that, as I've said before I want the culture of English football changed, most of the people watching football here should be watching rugby league, rugby league should be the most popular sport in England, only slightly more popular than football but more popular nonetheless.  It's one of the reason why I don't want to see England win the WC or Euros.

As Giroud has scored more goals in Serie A I guess referees protect strikers more in Serie A than the PL, even with the case of the reputation Italian defenders have gotten.

I want referees up here to protect attackers far more from certainly, sociopathic, I would say psychopathic defending at times.  

I'm in Italy, I see a lot of Serie A. It's not about refs protecting strikers, more some very dodgy defences.

Re Osimhen. It's well worth looking at who he scores a lot of his goals against. Teams in and around the relegation zone. His record is nowhere near as flash against the bigger boys.

Every sh*t source that pops up this morning is making this deal look far worse. I am not sure what leverage Napoli and Osimhen in particular think they have over us? We should not be giving in to such demands when in reality Napoli face extreme internal issues this coming season if they don't sell. 

f**k em. Osimhen on our terms. 

1 hour ago, dermott said:

I'm in Italy, I see a lot of Serie A. It's not about refs protecting strikers, more some very dodgy defences.

Re Osimhen. It's well worth looking at who he scores a lot of his goals against. Teams in and around the relegation zone. His record is nowhere near as flash against the bigger boys.

Got to consider Osimhen was playing for a midtable side last year and most strikers would struggle against the best sides.  The season previous when he played for the best team in the league he scored 6 goals vs the top 7 teams 0 of them against the top 3.  

In comparison Haaland again playing for the best team in the league score 4 goals in total vs the top 7 (half of them against us) and 1 of those goals vs the top 3, Liverpool.

The mighty Nico Jackson playing for a just scraped into the top 7 team 6 goals in total vs the top 7 (half of them against Spurs) and 1 of those goals vs the top 4, Man City.

There's nothing wrong with a player that punishes the lesser sides.   Heck we could have done with one last season seeing from our 11 losses last year as we lost to West Ham, Notts Forest, Brentford, Everton and Wolves twice.  On top of losses to badly performing Man Utd and Newcastle and draws against Bournemouth, Brentford and Sheffield Utd.

Its defiantly a risky transfer but if it works it could transform our fortunes in a way no 18 year old from South America will.

3 hours ago, ducavis said:

In Serie A. A 37yr old Giroud scored 15 league goals in the same league. Take out the 2022/23 season and he looks average.

He did indeed. In 35 games. Which is 10 more than Victor. 

Apart from that. I am sure that the Milan fans were very happy to have that 37 year old Giroud  who was topscorer of their club getting them to the 2nd spot in the Serie A. 

But coming back to Victor. He is more than just his goals. He is also a presence upfront. Very good with his head. I also disagree with taking away that one season suddenly makes him average. He has been highly regarded in every competition that he played at those times. 

Having approx an average of 1 goal every 2 games is good. Especially because he never played at the best teams in those competition. 

I am sure that if we would sign Watkins. You would be happy. And he has similar goals. Not saying goals are the only metric that count. Watkins eg. Is proven in the prem. and maybe you also don't rate him. But you don't have to score every season 20 goals at the sub-top to be a good striker in my books. 

 

Latest rumour doing the rounds is Napoli have proposed a player swap for Osimhen involving Lukaku, Casadei, plus €45m.

Which is not unreasonable. 

3 minutes ago, Dr. Socrates said:

Latest rumour doing the rounds is Napoli have proposed a player swap for Osimhen involving Lukaku, Casadei, plus €45m.

Which is not unreasonable. 

If we value the Omdorion guy at 40 million then a proven performer in Serie A like Lukaku should be valued at atleast 60 million by the club. And Casedei is easily 30 million. 135 million + monster wages for Oshimen is really not a good deal. 

7 minutes ago, Dr. Socrates said:

Latest rumour doing the rounds is Napoli have proposed a player swap for Osimhen involving Lukaku, Casadei, plus €45m.

Which is not unreasonable. 

Would depend on the value place on each player.

There seems to be this growing feeling, as Sconnie also alluded to, that Napoli hold all the cards, when in truth we actually do and must be blind not to see it.

 

1. Napoli cannot afford to keep Victor, a player who wants out and they want sold, with his huge wages and a contract expiring next summer, when they lose him for free.

2. Conte badly wants Lukaku, and they know what happens if you pi$$ of Conte.

3. Osimhen is not a priority for us, elsewhere we would have moved heaven and earth to get him, like Caicedo or Enzo.

 

If Napol want that deal then we should demand:

 

They pay Lukakus book value of 37.5mill pounds 

They pay us 30mill for Casadei, giving us a nice FFP profit, and give us matching rights to a future sale plus 20% sell on.

Then we agree to pay 100mill Euro asking price of Victor.

Thats fair, for a player worth nothing to them next summer and will cripple them on wages this season if he stays.

Can we give them Casadei, Lukaku, Kepa and Sterling? and make it even?

1 hour ago, axman2526 said:

Would depend on the value place on each player.

There seems to be this growing feeling, as Sconnie also alluded to, that Napoli hold all the cards, when in truth we actually do and must be blind not to see it.

 

 

We have all the cards. We also have the best negotiators in transfer dealings and they are Americans and they will show us how it is done.

yeah we have all the cards - and two of them are jokers

Edited August 14, 20241 yr by TheCeleryKing

1 hour ago, axman2526 said:

Would depend on the value place on each player.

There seems to be this growing feeling, as Sconnie also alluded to, that Napoli hold all the cards, when in truth we actually do and must be blind not to see it.

 

1. Napoli cannot afford to keep Victor, a player who wants out and they want sold, with his huge wages and a contract expiring next summer, when they lose him for free.

2. Conte badly wants Lukaku, and they know what happens if you pi$$ of Conte.

3. Osimhen is not a priority for us, elsewhere we would have moved heaven and earth to get him, like Caicedo or Enzo.

 

If Napol want that deal then we should demand:

 

They pay Lukakus book value of 37.5mill pounds 

They pay us 30mill for Casadei, giving us a nice FFP profit, and give us matching rights to a future sale plus 20% sell on.

Then we agree to pay 100mill Euro asking price of Victor.

Thats fair, for a player worth nothing to them next summer and will cripple them on wages this season if he stays.

You’re only about £5m off the supposed offer there.  Get over there and help broker the deal.  The £5 million could be your fee.

I don’t think we value Victor at £100m more like £60-70m.  Napoli on the other hand probably value Lukaku at £20-25m and Casadei at £15-20m.

Edited August 14, 20241 yr by DarkMata

14 minutes ago, TheCeleryKing said:

We have all the cards. We also have the best negotiators in transfer dealings and they are Americans and they will show us how it is done.

yeah we have all the cards - and two of them are jokers

Is De Laurentiis the thief?

7 hours ago, ducavis said:

Same Giroud that never scored 10 league goals in any of his 4 seasons here? He is a cult hero type player IMO.

Giroud was still a far far better footballer than Jackson. Not a 20 goals a season striker, but football intelligence, link up play, making an impact when it mattered, he was well ahead of Jackson.

Funny how Drogba and Mikel are telling him to come here and that he’s this alleged Chelsea fan yet Felix is the only one willing to drop his wages to come here. 

23 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Funny how Drogba and Mikel are telling him to come here and that he’s this alleged Chelsea fan yet Felix is the only one willing to drop his wages to come here. 

Perhaps Osimhen wants to give a chaotic Chelsea a wide berth and thinks another club will come in for him, and perhaps Felix has been told there is no future for him at Atlet and thinks after a few underwhelming seasons Chelsea are the only club interested in him.

42 minutes ago, Valerie said:

Perhaps Osimhen wants to give a chaotic Chelsea a wide berth and thinks another club will come in for him, and perhaps Felix has been told there is no future for him at Atlet and thinks after a few underwhelming seasons Chelsea are the only club interested in him.

Maybe Osimhen is a smart man (most likely his agent) biding his time waiting for the best deal to appear.  
 
Felix is definitely a desperate man who knows we’re his best bet.  Maybe he liked it here first time round?

 

4 hours ago, axman2526 said:

UWould depend on the value place on each player.

There seems to be this growing feeling, as Sconnie also alluded to, that Napoli hold all the cards, when in truth we actually do and must be blind not to see it.

 

1. Napoli cannot afford to keep Victor, a player who wants out and they want sold, with his huge wages and a contract expiring next summer, when they lose him for free.

2. Conte badly wants Lukaku, and they know what happens if you pi$$ of Conte.

3. Osimhen is not a priority for us, elsewhere we would have moved heaven and earth to get him, like Caicedo or Enzo.

 

If Napol want that deal then we should demand:

 

They pay Lukakus book value of 37.5mill pounds 

They pay us 30mill for Casadei, giving us a nice FFP profit, and give us matching rights to a future sale plus 20% sell on.

Then we agree to pay 100mill Euro asking price of Victor.

Thats fair, for a player worth nothing to them next summer and will cripple them on wages this season if he stays.

My totally made up figures are Lukaku =€45m. Casadei =€20m. Plus €45m cash gets us to Napoli’s valuation of Osimhen at €110m.

2 minutes ago, Dr. Socrates said:

My totally made up figures are Lukaku =€45m. Casadei =€20m. Plus €45m cash gets us to Napoli’s valuation of Osimhen at €110m.

That's the thing...some of us don't think Osimhen is worth that. Hence we are losing out going by your figures.

4 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Would depend on the value place on each player.

There seems to be this growing feeling, as Sconnie also alluded to, that Napoli hold all the cards, when in truth we actually do and must be blind not to see it.

 

1. Napoli cannot afford to keep Victor, a player who wants out and they want sold, with his huge wages and a contract expiring next summer, when they lose him for free.

2. Conte badly wants Lukaku, and they know what happens if you pi$$ of Conte.

3. Osimhen is not a priority for us, elsewhere we would have moved heaven and earth to get him, like Caicedo or Enzo.

 

If Napol want that deal then we should demand:

 

They pay Lukakus book value of 37.5mill pounds 

They pay us 30mill for Casadei, giving us a nice FFP profit, and give us matching rights to a future sale plus 20% sell on.

Then we agree to pay 100mill Euro asking price of Victor.

Thats fair, for a player worth nothing to them next summer and will cripple them on wages this season if he stays.

In the trading year 20/21 and 21/22 combined in the stat accounts a combined sum of £94 million was shown as impaired. What that means is that in effect the club carried out an accounting exercise where they looked  at players book values and took  an informed view as to what their current value would be against those book values. From everything I have read it is almost a given that two players whose values would be impacted would have been Lukaku and Kepa.

I have no idea what RL current value is but what we need to assess going forward is the impact of such a deal and to do that you have to factor in wages simply because we have to going forward be  even more focused on costs and not just amortisation in isolation 

The reports are that RL agreed a reduction in his weekly £325k a week cheque I believe it is now closer to £275 k a week Casadei is said to be on just £7500 per week so combined that would be circa £280k or £14.5 million pa.As I say we don’t know what the current combined  annual amortisations charge is but is going to be at least £15 million pa so in terms of squad costs that’s at least £29 million a year 

The reports are that the current assumption is that Napoli value Osimhen is £80-£85 million and he wants wages of €10 million or £8.8 million a year. So based on the 5 year amortisation limit £16 -£18 million add to that £8.8 million and that’s circa £26-27 million annual cost.

For me if the numbers stack up at worse being cost neutral at best show a saving then it’s a no brainer if there truly is a deal around the sort of numbers being reported and of course it suits all the players

 

 

 

3 minutes ago, Simplymo said:

That's the thing...some of us don't think Osimhen is worth that. Hence we are losing out going by your figures.

I agree. But to be honest, I think we’d be doing well to get €45m for Lukaku. I guess that’s what we’re negotiating about. The real issue though must be Osimhen’s salary. 

Just now, Dr. Socrates said:

I agree. But to be honest, I think we’d be doing well to get €45m for Lukaku. I guess that’s what we’re negotiating about. The real issue though must be Osimhen’s salary. 

Yeah, I can imagine that too. If he really wants the move, like someone said above, he could take a pay cut like felix is willing to.

 

That's why I'd rather just forget about it and stick with what we got. If it's going to get complicated then pass pls.