06 Aug 2021 12:43:18
Afternoon,
Any updates on Bissoumma please Eds? Has Philips and a fee actually been offered ? Are we still embarrassingly waiting to sell more fringe players? Thank You.

{Ed002's Note - Yves Bissouma (CM/DM) Brighton will resist any approaches although the player has made known his desire for the club to consider offers for him but has not formally requested a transfer. He shares a "representative" with Pepe who he spent a season with at Lille and he failed to persuade Arsenal to move for him - and since then Arsenal have signed Partey and a change in the decision process at Arsenal means any move is only possible if they can clear the clutter of Torreira, Xhaka and Guendouzi - then they could look to him to play alongside Partey - but Xhaka is now staying. He is a significant upgrade on Xhaka and Elneny and will add experience with Dani Ceballos departing. Arsenal are working hard to sell players to make space for him but are struggling right now. Interest of Spurs will have departed with Mr Mourinho. Monaco may also provide an option but I suspect the price will be too high for them and they have a first choice preference. He is another who would be off to the Africa Cup of Nations in January 2022 and not Home Grown makes him less attractive to most English sides although Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Leicester have spoken with his representative, but Leicester have another solution pretty agreed already. He is not first choice for Manchester City but they could return - Manchester United do not currently have space in the midfield and have a preferred target - Liverpool interest remains but they may not have the money. There is a further complication in that his family is directly involved in all major decisions.

Nat Phillips (CB) Liverpool will look to cash in and hang on to Matip which seems like a short-term plan to me. Liverpool need to be careful over the asking price as they are now smarting from rejections from other clubs for players where they are asking too much. Burnley were keen but are not happy with the £15M asking price - but there are talks. Bayer Leverkusen, Newcastle and Brighton may provide solutions for the player not wanted by Liverpool.}

1.) 06 Aug 2021
06 Aug 2021 12:55:43
What's embarrassing is the desperation of fans for a transfer.
Expect more of it now City have spent £100 million on Grealish who isn't worth that much.

{Ed025's Note - if city win the EPL and CL flash then maybe he is worth the fee mate..

2.) 06 Aug 2021
06 Aug 2021 13:15:02
Interestingly the Athletic's piece suggests Kessie, Florian N and Pellegrini are the 'best' fit for us if we wish to evolve, with no mention of Bissouma.
Re fee's if white is worth 50, then nat is worth 15, so burnley can do one.

3.) 06 Aug 2021
06 Aug 2021 13:22:02
I very often agree that we over price our players but £15m for Phillips is more than fair. He's an upgrade on Tarkowski who they inexplicably wanted £50m for not that long ago.

4.) 06 Aug 2021
06 Aug 2021 13:37:59
I'd be over the moon if we signed Kessie tbh. Such a great player and also a good age. Very versatile also.

Neuhaus would also be a good option but suggestions are he could be a next year job.

Bissouma is very similar to Kessie in that he's versatile (less of a goal threat) but very much prem proven.

Any of those and I'd be extremely happy. Saul would also be excellent.

Not holding my breath however, few more sales needed I expect.

{Ed002's Note - Liverpool have made no approach for Kessie.}

5.) 06 Aug 2021
06 Aug 2021 13:54:22
Ed025 If City do win that lot I don't think it'll be due to the addition of Grealish, they are already a tremendous team and squad. He's not going to have the effect that Cantona had on their red neighbours. He's just another trinket to sit on a dresser already loaded with riches.

{Ed025's Note - you cant have too many good players flash, if he scores or assists goals that produce trophy winning performances then who is to say hes not worth it?, of course he could end up the biggest flop in history of course ...time will tell mate..

6.) 06 Aug 2021
06 Aug 2021 14:17:56
Kessie says he's happy in Italy, so that seems to be a non starter.
He would add the most to our team according to the stats.

7.) 06 Aug 2021
06 Aug 2021 14:28:55
Spaceman - The Athletic and TIFO are stocked with Football Manager obsessives who think the entire game revolves around stats and formations. Listening to the guys at TIFO try to analyse football is a painful experience I wouldn’t recommend to anyone. Don’t forget they were among the first to attempt to justify Southgate leaving out Trent for the Euros. Ignore their ‘recommendations’.

8.) 06 Aug 2021
06 Aug 2021 14:43:00
Good to know Lowe. Having said that we have been linked with all 3 of those players anyway, prior to TIFO doing their piece and they do all make sense as potential targets.
Personally i think Bissouma is the best bet, with Neuhaus coming in next year when Naby/ Ox leave.

9.) 06 Aug 2021
06 Aug 2021 15:06:21
Bissouma is a really good player, he would certainly be one I’d target if Saul was just not possible (which it seems is the case) .

10.) 06 Aug 2021
06 Aug 2021 16:11:17
I agree Flash mate. Grealish is certainly not the player to take them up another level. They already have Foden, Silva, Mahrez etc. The only area they fell short last season was a striker. The Grealish signing to me doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

11.) 06 Aug 2021
06 Aug 2021 19:06:37
---------------Take it to the Manchester City page please-------------------

12.) 06 Aug 2021
06 Aug 2021 19:47:10
Bledd85 Not sure how closely you have watched Grealish mate because he is significantly better than Foden. and this is coming from a Foden fanboy.

13.) 07 Aug 2021
07 Aug 2021 03:01:01
How is 15mil an unfair price for Phillips? Proved himself last season, still relatively young, Premier League ready - I’d of thought 15mil was a comparative bargain, I think we’re right to be holding out for at least that.

14.) 07 Aug 2021
07 Aug 2021 05:16:13
I feel it's harsh on Nat Phillips. I'd have him above Matip n Gomez n VVD will probably be eased back into the season. Keep the lad!

15.) 07 Aug 2021
07 Aug 2021 06:30:07
Jp1989 it Liverpool had a choice between Grelish and Foden it would be Foden all day long for me.

16.) 07 Aug 2021
07 Aug 2021 12:26:42
Grealish to Man City seems such a strange one to me.
He couldn't get into the England team because of Sterling and Sterling struggled to get into the City team at the end of last season, because of Foden. I think that he will slow their play down by holding onto the ball too long.
But Pep usually knows what he is doing.
Until it comes to Champions League semis and final.

17.) 07 Aug 2021
07 Aug 2021 12:55:43
I respectfully disagree JP.