02 Jun 2019 21:17:24
There was a mention a while back that it would not totally be out of the question for Keita to leave this window due to various reasons.

Bruno Fernandes has been mentioned and ED2 has made it clear the he looks Manchester bound and would be too pricey for us and would need to be a starter etc.

Fernandes made a pretty strong comment today re our team, that being we are his favourite premier league team and we play better football than City. That writes off City as a prospective employer and also seems misguided if he is going Utd, bad choice of words as best if he is to make friends up there.

Anyway, point of the post:

1: Is there any more info on Nabys future? Any indication things are still not great?

2: Was that just a schoolboy error by Fernandes or is there another reason for the sudden public kudos for us vs other prem teams?

{Ed002's Note - (1) No. (2) I don't know what BF has said, but critically what question was he asked, and by whom?}

1.) 02 Jun 2019
02 Jun 2019 22:21:16
I read it somewhere before the final. The thing is, quite a number of players talked about Liverpool before any transfer and I can't remember any of them joining in the end.

2.) 02 Jun 2019
02 Jun 2019 22:26:58
I found the original quotes in the Portuguese press where Fernandes talks about both Liverpool an Man City. After talking about City's style of play, he's quoted as saying:

"Gosto muito do Liverpool também" before talking about us for a bit.

The Daily Star appear to have translated that as stating he prefers Liverpool to Man City. Google translates it more neutrally, as "I like Liverpool a lot too". Anyone here speak Portuguese and can advise?

I wouldn't read a lot into it anyway.

{Ed002's Note - But what was the question he was asked?}

3.) 02 Jun 2019
02 Jun 2019 22:30:16
In an interview on Friday with De Cadeirinha he was asked about speculation linking him with the PL and he refused to discuss it. The he was asked what he thought of the league and what teams does he prefer. He said this:

I like Liverpool a lot more. It’s a more direct, more offensive, maybe less organised, but more intense football. When you do not have the ball possession you are more intense. ’

‘In Liverpool they are more individual players, especially in the midfield, usually playing three very aggressive players and recovering the ball. Then they have three players at the front who are lethal. When they have the opportunity, to be the difference. ’


As I said, could be misguided/ misplaced if he is headed to United but high praise for us when he was given a chance to sing the praises of any team. The Keita question was just because I remember it being mentioned and there is no way we even look at a big money midfielder unless a starter goes and he is the only slight possibility by my reading of past posts.

{Ed002's Note - Thanks for that. I have explained that there is Liverpool interest and I guess around €90M might get him. As I have said, the AM role is the one I think Liverpool still need to address.}

4.) 02 Jun 2019
02 Jun 2019 23:32:52
But he is most probably on his way to Manchester.

5.) 03 Jun 2019
03 Jun 2019 06:19:30
Is he any good, ed001? Can't say I've seen him play but he's scored 20 goals and nabbed 13 assists this season which is impressive, albeit in a weaker league.

{Ed001's Note - looks it.}

6.) 03 Jun 2019
03 Jun 2019 09:01:17
31 goals in all comps and 19 assists. What's impressive is he's played often as a box to box CM and he works his socks off, lacks any sort of pace and dribbling threat but he's got quality vision, passing, crossing, set pieces, and strikes a sweet ball. His style is probably similar to de bruynes strengths. The main worry for me would be that the Portuguese league in recent years has seen so many of the top performers not able to cut it in the big leagues. His price tag is double his realistic current value though.

7.) 03 Jun 2019
03 Jun 2019 02:16:09
Ed002 do you feel that this 90m fee will actually be met? Would Sporting flat out reject any lower offers? Surely 50 or 60m would tempt them as a realistic offer, or do you think that a club will be silly enough to pay 90?

{Ed002's Note - They will be open to negotiating but €90M is what they have asked of the club Sporting are talking to - so perhaps something in the rgion of €75M to €80M would get a deal agreed - but certainly not €50M.}