colossus

Sorry if it has already been discussed, but any chance we can make a Courtois + cash for Oblak deal happen? Even if it wouldn’t go through, it would raise doubts about his rationale for a move to Madrid being driven for family reasons.

Not a bad result to take into the away leg I feel. Had we won 1-0 today, in the next match Barca would likely come out strong and we would probably be trying to defend for 90 mins. Other teams have gone there with first leg leads in recent times, and been unable to defend them. In 2012, we took the 1-0 lead over there, and started poorly as they took it to us. This could all be coincidental, however a 1-1 away result can often lead to complacency for the team hosting the 2nd leg. Let’s hope this gives us extra motivation to play some good attacking football there - I think we’ll need to score 2, and I think we can.

Indeed. Also the possibility of talking about getting higher wages coming back in January, and we would presumably pay a smaller transfer fee?

Not sure of the relevance of what other clubs in other leagues might be doing?

Cheers Bob! Hopefully doesn't happen, but if it does, you heard it here first ;)

Yes. Just wondering if technically possible, within UEFA regulations? Not saying it will happen. P.S. Not smoking anything, but reasonably drunk, for what it's worth ;)

Just wondering, could the following situation go down? We sell Matic to Inter, as we refuse to sell to United. United offer to buy Perisic from Inter, and Matic in top. Topping up the Perisic fee with some extra fee for Matic. Possible? Any ramifications if it did happen? I know it is Juventus who are supposedly in for Matic, but any chance Inter/United doing such a deal?

It is - but it's part of the reason why English clubs end up paying a lot more. They should really just allow it as it goes on everywhere, and it would be a level playing field.

I think so. If that happened it was likely after the Chinese option went off the table, and we were still confident of getting £65M+ for him this window from elsewhere. I can't see them ever spending this much..

Agree, it is primarily him, but they would be doing whatever they could to reduce the price.

Haha, I am sure they don't need to, but I can imagine them stoking the fire wherever they can :) I can't imagine his agent would be promoting anything that drops their cut..

Absolutely. I wouldn't be surprised if they have been tapping him up, causing some of what's been going on to try force the price down, by warding off any competition.

Value doesn't mean as much if a player publicly states there is only one team he'll play for.

Hopefully Madrid spends the money they are getting for Morata on De Gea. Putting United in a tough spot, and improving our chances of keeping Thibaut long term.

Agree this is likely to happen, providing we don't bring anyone else in to start at RWB. If we were to, I can't see Azpi being dropped, and of Luiz/Cahill/Rudiger, Cahill seems most at risk.