Liverpool rumours 5

31 Aug 2026 14:42:19
Hi all,

First post but been reading for years.

Is there any truth in the Estevao rumours? Has had injury troubles but could be a brilliant player.
Thanks all and let's hope we get a DM, RB and LB in before the end!

31 Aug 2026 15:15:36
Probably not, looks like we're closer to Sarr e maybe Rayan next summer.

31 Aug 2026 15:22:57
Ability-wise I'd love Estevao, but Chelsea will want an arm and a leg. He's also on the back of an awful injury that is suspect to recurrence.

Assuming Rayan isn't an option, I think it has to be Minteh and/or Sarr. Both want us and are tested in the PL. I don't want anyone from abroad if it's not Olise, the market stinks for RW. If you're taking a punt, do it on a Sarr or Minteh who both seem to enjoy the rigours of English football. And, even if they can't dribble past a low block, we all know they are work horses and "Premier League fast".

Sarr, because he haunts us every single time, he is a genuine option for both the centre and RW, with solid output.



But there is something about Minteh for me. He cannot strike a ball, but he is a monster presser, is a right-backs best friend because he always tracks back, spans runs/take ons/crossss. And, most importantly for me, is left footed. Excellent carrier in transition.

Sarr will come in and definitely be an asset and a more instant goal return, and won't be injured. But Minteh has just turned 22 and I think his ability to get to the byline and put a cross in benefits Isak and Ekitike in the longrun. He's out til October but there's a big fat international break coming (think this one is 3 weeks long?).

31 Aug 2026 15:28:20
He will be a brilliant player, but I don't think the Premier League is the place to let that hamstring recover.

There's no chance Chelsea will sell to an English club.

31 Aug 2026 15:40:33
In the past year Chelsea have sold players to Arsenal, Bournemouth, Everton, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.

31 Aug 2026 15:47:03
Yeah, they'll sell their unwanted dross, they won't sell a player like Estevao who could be a generational talent.

31 Aug 2026 16:40:10
Not sure how true, but apparently we enquired about Neto & Estevao & was told 75million for Neto & 85 for Estevao. Personally, I would use Koumas & Munoz, then go all out for Olise next season.

31 Aug 2026 17:01:29
I'd rather Minteh than Olise. How
many fancy lightweight players do you want in n one forward line? We need some heavy metal up
top.

31 Aug 2026 17:06:45
If we sign just one more player, we need a ball winning, quick, strong in duals midfielder. Munoz, Szob, Frimpong, Barcola can cover RW.

31 Aug 2026 18:09:43
The talk in Brazil is that Estevao is the next generational talent that will take over Neymar's place in terms of leadership in the national team. I have no idea how the current injury will affect things.

31 Aug 2026 18:29:34
Jeez, funky. You and I are football brothers. Everything you say, I agree with.

31 Aug 2026 19:14:31
Minteh over Olise. 🤣🤣

31 Aug 2026 14:00:12
Barcola announcement now.

31 Aug 2026 15:28:31
Are you sure about this? How sure? Like Lfc tv not showing him off sure?

31 Aug 2026 16:04:47
It's official.

31 Aug 2026 16:47:49
Oooh, exciting.

Can we sign a ten year old fifth choice keeper please?

I want anything but players coming into problem positions.

31 Aug 2026 17:05:37
Came out of nowhere this one! I'm liking how the club keeps things underwraps until it's announced.

31 Aug 2026 17:28:13
At last, took damned long enough.

31 Aug 2026 17:38:32
Have you heard? Barcola is joining!

- What about the midfielder, right winger, and full back?

Have you heard? Barcola is joining!

31 Aug 2026 13:07:51
Afternoon Gents

We're pushing hard for Sarr

I'd expect it to get done.

Cheers.

31 Aug 2026 14:53:21
Robbo, any noise on midfield? Feels like we could make it through the season with what we have in attack if Gakpo stays but not in midfield.

31 Aug 2026 14:54:03
If not Sarr, are we not looking at other names, or do we prefer those in the Premier League.
Even the Pardo that just agreed a deal with Newcastle should be hijacked, as I see him moving to a big club by next summer, except LFC is after a more experienced, PL-proven player, and then wait till next summer for someone like Ryan.


If I am to ask, how about anyone in the middle of the pack?

31 Aug 2026 14:56:05
Any news on cm Robbo? Cheers for info.

31 Aug 2026 14:58:36
You are kidding me...

31 Aug 2026 15:00:04
Thanks, Robbo, crazy money for a player his age when we didn't go for Mbaye.

31 Aug 2026 15:00:15
At the figures being touted, it's super weird. He is not a good RW. He might be a decent Isak backup until Hugo returns. But at that price? Wow.

31 Aug 2026 15:04:00
Cheers, Robbo. Certainly gives us more options.

Are we actually looking close to getting a decent no 6 this window, or do you think we'll go with what we have?

My main worry is the lack of bite and leadership (which many have already alluded to). Henderson and Milner weren't the best technically, but the passion, bite and leadership they brought we sorely miss.

31 Aug 2026 15:05:16
Thanks for sharing Robbo. Horrific decision-making from the club.

31 Aug 2026 15:08:42
So let me get this straight. We're pushing hard for a soon to be 29-year old No. 10/striker who would cost around £70 million, instead of signing a much needed defensive midfielder in Lamine Camara, who may I add, is on the market, available for £50 million and actually wants to come to us.

That is simply baffling to me, and no one can convince me otherwise.

This has got to be the most bizarre, scattergun, inexplicable and disappointing transfer window from us in a long time. Oh, and signing Sarr would mean the right wing position still hasn't been filled.

We are simply an embarrassment!

31 Aug 2026 15:10:08
That's the going rate for an average player in this market, FPF.

31 Aug 2026 15:11:00
Sarr would be a poor acquisition. For the amount quoted, I don't see any benefit in selling Gakpo, who is, in my opinion, the better all round player.
Has anyone ever seen Sarr play against a low block team? I simply don't think he has the talent to play against that sort of set up.


Minteh, although injured, would be the better option. Tbh, I still wish we'd at least try West Ham's resolve over Bowen. Prem proven and a leader, similar age to Sarr and probably cheaper.

31 Aug 2026 15:12:01
Seeing Palace want 75m pounds now... seems like a lot.

31 Aug 2026 15:13:46
I really don't want Sarr, very one dimensional; all he has to his game is scoring.
All the other areas of his game are worse than Gakpo.

31 Aug 2026 15:22:49
I just hope those who hated on Slot, and will inevitably blame Ai, realise it's the idiots above who have destroyed this club. Even Klopp never got the backing he deserved. It's weird, we will go on these mad splurges and waste money n then it's almost like ok let's sell n not offer any contracts, therefore leaving us in the s*** for few seasons.

I do not know the inner working of clubs, but I think FSG have really let us down this season and last season.

31 Aug 2026 15:27:18
"....Very one dimensional; all he has to his game is scoring."


Sorry Snoots, no offence, I know what you mean, but that comment made me laugh out loud. 🤣

31 Aug 2026 15:27:31
Robbo, any update on Camara? Looks like Chelsea has moved on to Kone.

31 Aug 2026 15:30:52
Even worse, there are supporters who make a habit of gaslighting and harassing anyone who dares to question the club's transfer activities or demand better. Gutter standards!

31 Aug 2026 15:34:12
Gakpo not gone yet? For me, I would like to see a left footed winger for team balance and also more effective for coming inside to shoot, opens the goal up, that would mean 6 right foot forwards, and only two natural left footers now in the team, Kerkez/Tsimikas?

The only other team I can recall with 11 right footers, which was my favourite to watch of all time, was Shankly's League and FA Cup winners in the 1960s, so it can be done.

Some notable left footers: Ray Kennedy, Alan Kennedy, Barnes, Fowler, Berger, Riise, Agger, Robertson, Salah. You would not swap any of them for a right footer in the same position, would you? The Kennedys were the only left footers in Sir Bob's magnificent eleven.

31 Aug 2026 15:38:31
Aye snoots, imagine signing a player who scores goals.

31 Aug 2026 15:51:56
So disappointing if true - Sarr doesn't solve any issues for us.

Doesn't get assists, doesn't have age on his side to improve, is actually very limited technically, not proven against low block (only in counter attacking teams), pace is his biggest asset and he's 29.



I just do not get it at all.

I wouldn't start him ahead of Munoz or Szob at right wing.

Would give zero service to Isak...

If you're going to buy a 29 year old who is proven in the prem for goals and assists and don't care about sell on value, then just get Jarrod Bowen!

31 Aug 2026 15:56:15
Is it gaslighting? Or is it all you Richard's just whining for the sake of whining, it's boring, it's like your life depends on Liverpool Football Club.

31 Aug 2026 16:02:03
I'd be up for nicking Pardo from
Newcastle - I think he'll outperform Barcola. He looks like a little terrier.

31 Aug 2026 16:14:43
Really don't want Sarr, he's not good enough.

31 Aug 2026 16:15:18
This signing will be the worst of the entire window. Terrible player.

31 Aug 2026 16:16:37
Sarr Gakpo bad deal.

31 Aug 2026 16:17:18
You probably don't even know what 'gaslighting' means, so there's no point going back and forth with you.

Tying your shoelaces in the morning already exhausts half of your brain capacity, I would imagine. Bless your heart, Kloppers.

31 Aug 2026 16:33:50
Has anyone thought that Sarr might be a player Ai wants? So, regardless of what any of us think of Sarr, he might be the manager's choice.

31 Aug 2026 16:48:36
Why on earth are we trying to buy Sarr when we are in desperate need of a strong CM!!!!!!
What is going on within the club, surely they can see what is needed!!!!!!

31 Aug 2026 17:18:06
I guess if Gakpo is leaving, Sarr kind of offers options both at RW and CF, but I'm not a fan of him at RW.

Like someone else said above, why not just pay around the same for Mbaye when we were clearly interested? Seems odd.

I'd personally just use Muñoz and Koumas at RW till January and then go for Minteh if he's fully recovered from his injury.

31 Aug 2026 17:39:46
Can we just wait and see what he does first! He might get 20 GC for the next 3 years.

31 Aug 2026 17:51:25
If we can chisel a bit more fof e
Gakpo and knock Sarr's price down a bit. This move makes sense and will
undoubtedly bring more goals to
the team. Gakpo scores a decent amount but Sarr would fit in better

31 Aug 2026 17:59:33
007, does Frimpong count as his both feet are left footed?

31 Aug 2026 12:30:04.
Hi fellas.

Still expecting the Soule bid but the Kone situation is holding it up. Chelsea may force our hand on Kone. Too many moving pieces for our impotent transfer team to handle.

As I said, Sarr is the last resort which is why it hasn't been done already.

31 Aug 2026 12:58:24
Soule would be a terrible buy for us.

Adds nothing we don't already have and nothing we need (physicality, pace, energy, pressing).

Probably is who Hughes is looking at then.

31 Aug 2026 13:09:05
Chelsea in for Kone -
He would suit us well.

31 Aug 2026 13:11:04
It'll be Barcola and that's it. Hopefully, the FSG out banners will be out before we're mid table at Christmas.

31 Aug 2026 13:11:30
I disagree. Soule would be an excellent buy. Can play either wing or central attacking. Has good dribbling, crossing and is hard working. Also fairly equal with both feet.

31 Aug 2026 13:12:29
Not bad, young left-footed RW with decent stats in Serie A. Good backup/competition for Munoz, imo. But I don't think the transfer team is competent enough to get him or other decent wingers.

31 Aug 2026 13:19:55
Yeah, because FSG have done nothing to make us batter at all in the last decade.

What is wrong with you people?

31 Aug 2026 13:41:25
I have a suspicion that the FSG Out poster is Harry. Has his style!

31 Aug 2026 13:43:57
I never said Soule was bad, but he is a bad fit for us. How does he add balance to the team? He is simply not what we need. Some team would need a technical player like him, but that is certainly not what we need.

Our "last resort" Sarr would be a ten times better option.



Minteh is far better again, though.

Estevao is an interesting option from a player perspective, but his injury record is just too scary for me. If he stays fit, I love it, but I still wouldn't do it with the injuries. Head ruling the heart kind of decision.

31 Aug 2026 13:51:09
Dick, I guarantee there will be no FSG out banners.

31 Aug 2026 13:58:03
Good user name though.

31 Aug 2026 14:01:19
Thing is, Fonz, whereas it's very hard to argue that FSG haven't been good owners, any good will is eroded very quickly if we continue to get poor results and have failed to address the glaring issues in the squad, particularly when you consider they have been evidently happy for Richard Hughes to oversee the transfer window for his new employer whilst still under contract here and apparently still supposedly working for the club.

The optics of that whilst collecting a billion quid for 38% of the club are not good whichever way you look at it.

31 Aug 2026 14:21:25
Joyce saying we're most likely done this window. Can't help but feel we're leaving Iraola short. Would really love Camara or Kone, and the RB situation feels perilous. Have a feeling we'll be seeing a lot of Dom at RB until the winter...

31 Aug 2026 14:47:37
Iraola has been left short. Weak and soft in midfield and woeful in fullback positions. We'll concede too many goals to make a title challenge and we don't have a strong enough squad to win a cup. Priority has to be top four.

31 Aug 2026 14:48:10
We also have a traffic Kone for RB?

Bradley has just done his first LFC interview in French?

His first congratulatory text was from Hugo - "you're only keeping it warm for me", as the vicar said to the virgin actress?

31 Aug 2026 14:56:58
I will not take Joyce's words until it is over.
There are several pieces that can make us bring in additional two players between now and tomorrow evening.

31 Aug 2026 15:01:46
I disagree with us not needing a technical winger. If Soule comes, we have 2 similar profiles for each wing:
Soule & Ngumoha
Barcola & Munoz

But what Soule can do with his left-foot wand is a secondary attacking playmaker. He can either dribble with finesse and cross, or he can ping a one touch throughball/floater that releases Barcola and/or Isak. That helps us utilise Barcola's burst behind the defence. This catches the opposition off guard before they could drop deep to organize.



If Ngumoha adds that to his locker, Munoz would capitalise as well.

Helps free space and time for Wirtz to do his magic as well. Add to that the 3rd man running into the box by Szobo/Grava, we would have a wide range of arsenal in attack.

But for the cherry on top, we would need a stable and disciplined 6/8 to support the attacks and especially shield our CBs. Camara would be that cherry, hopefully.

31 Aug 2026 17:54:11
Half a season, a bit light to sort the boys from
The men may not be a bad thing. Maybe Trey steps up, maybe Dom settles at RB. I have no doubt that Munoz and Araujo will do
Good things.

Jaquet looks
Like
A
Future
Worlds.
Once Bezos and co
Take over, I will
Be playing at a different table and we can all
Stop caring about fees and expense costly squad players.

31 Aug 2026 11:59:01
In addition to the Goalkeeper joining in 2027, Djylian N'Guessan will also be joining from St Etienne. 18-year-old striker, never seen him before, so no idea if this is a senior signing or youth signing.

31 Aug 2026 12:24:44
Is that true? Or are you just N'Guessan?

I'll get my coat!

31 Aug 2026 12:34:14
Genuine question, why must this be done now? If he's joining in 2027, could we not complete it next week? Haven't we got other things to focus on?

31 Aug 2026 12:36:39
Ah, beat me to it, Babbs.

31 Aug 2026 12:41:30
Chelsea now in for Kone, while we're busy singing children for next year's U21s. Infuriating.

31 Aug 2026 13:01:27
If Chelsea is going for Kone, we'll have a clear path for Camara and vice versa. So yeah, either Kone or Camara would make us stronger in midfield.

31 Aug 2026 13:07:17
Chelsea have over 50 first team players, what makes you think they won't buy both?

31 Aug 2026 13:16:02
RedKei, may I remind you of Lavia and Caicedo...

31 Aug 2026 13:31:55
Odds on Chelsea sign both, we don't sign a midfielder then continue to wonder why we get run through more often than Bonnie Blue at a gang bang.

31 Aug 2026 13:42:11
You misheard. The rumour was actually our transfer team is Dillying and guessing.

31 Aug 2026 13:15:33
It's Hughes trying to cover himself and make it look like he's doing something while all summer he hasn't done a tap. Apart from lining his pockets with Saudi money the rat

31 Aug 2026 14:41:13
One can hope it's not a repeat of Lavia & Caiceido, Rusty.

Either one would definitely want UCL this season itself and Chelsea can't offer that.

31 Aug 2026 13:26:18
Man do Chelsea just buy everyone to stop other teams getting them. I'd love Kone. Quality DM. They already have Caicedo and Lavia in the position 🙄

31 Aug 2026 20:15:26
We'll have quite a solid team in 2031.

01 Sep 2026 09:50:09
@Redman, you really can't figure it out? How about today we pay a reasonable amount for 2 18 years olds. We leave it to next summer, off the back of them having stellar breakout years we need to pay 4 or 5 times what we are paying now and everyone says how come we didn't buy them last summer.

31 Aug 2026 11:47:00
Estevao from Chelsea now apparently.
We are a joke.

31 Aug 2026 12:28:07
I really like the player. I think it would be a good signing.

31 Aug 2026 12:30:23
Not a hope that sick.
Note signs - it's app a big game.

31 Aug 2026 12:35:52
At this point the club is just putting names out there to try and make it look like they are busy going for a RW. It's all a smokescreen. We know damn well we are going into next Season as Munoz as the main guy on that side.

And tbh that ain't even my worry, the biggest worrying thing is the midfield is going to be operated by 3 attacking midfielders. We will be in deep s**** come Christmas time.

31 Aug 2026 12:37:43
Estevao is an amazing player, super young. Zero chances of Chelsea selling him to us.

31 Aug 2026 12:38:07
I think every agent is offering their winger players to us and leaking it as interest, probably not every name is someone we are actively considering or looking to sign. I'll take Estevao, I think he will be a good signing and for me he is better than Mbaye.

31 Aug 2026 12:39:35
Decent player but slim chance of getting him.

The fact we are just knocking on everyone's door and asking about players is getting embarrassing though, and shows desperation!

31 Aug 2026 13:05:04
You lot talk like we are the only ones struggling to get players in.

Arsenal (everyone's favourite team at the moment) are talking about a loan for Rashford!

We are not quite that desperate yet!

31 Aug 2026 13:07:55
Exciting news!

Bags of tricks, got pace and speed to burn, young and isn't afraid to put a foot in.

Highly unlikely, but if true, Iraola will have fun.
Munoz & Estevao on RW.
Barcola & Ngumoha for LW.

Wirtz will be licking his lips having runners.

31 Aug 2026 13:14:19
I would take Estevao in a heartbeat, him and Camara/ Kone would be a sensational end to a frustrating window.

31 Aug 2026 13:41:23
Wouldn't touch Estevao with the dirty end of a barge pole, notwithstanding the fact it means giving Chelsea big money. The guy had a grade 4 hamstring tear (according to reports it was such a severe rupture it was hanging by threads), which will always be a huge concern for a winger who relies on explosive pace.

We'd be buying a busted flush. You have to wonder why Chelsea wouldn't be so keen to move him on.

31 Aug 2026 13:47:51
Either Estevao or Pedro Neto would make sense. Each one wants minutes, and their agents must be keen to help them out.
Alonso has Palmer, Quanda and Gittens on the right wing. Welback can also play there.
Estevao would be awesome, while Neto could be handy, but I am not fully convinced.

31 Aug 2026 14:33:33
Might be controversial, but in my opinion,
Estevao > Rayan.

31 Aug 2026 14:37:56
I'm not knocking the player.
Just our s*** show of a transfer window.
We will probably be linked with Ryan Giggs next.

31 Aug 2026 15:29:41
In a different time I would've preferred Estevao over any of Diomande, Mbaye, Rayan etc but not after his injury. He'd be a huge risk buying now.

I've seen players with not as bad tears forever struggle with hamstring problems.

Neto would suit Iraola but I think Chelsea would want ridiculous money for him, similar to whatever Rayan would cost.

31 Aug 2026 10:35:58
Luca Brugmans is having an early medical for Liverpool.
Belgian goal keeper 6.7 tall, to replace Marmaduke who appears to be in negotiations with Nottingham.
Personally I would be surprised to see Marma move there.
Source is Sacha Tavolieri.

31 Aug 2026 11:01:51
Well, Marma was brought in as a medium term 1st choice, but has not proved good enough. If they can cash in then it's best for all and he gets to prove himself without waiting for opportunities to play.

31 Aug 2026 11:06:06
Sounds like it's a money back deal on Mamar (obligation to buy at around £30m, which is roughly what we paid for him - our purchase price included add ons so we may make a small profit). Good business all round, his lack of distribution was never going to work for us.

31 Aug 2026 11:07:52
From his point of view, he would get more game time staying with us than he will at Forest. Sels is a good keeper, I can't see him replacing him. Odd move, in my opinion.

31 Aug 2026 11:07:58
Woodman is my 2nd choice. Better, more vocal, and, though he may lack the height, he makes up for sheer effort and cat-like reflexes.

31 Aug 2026 11:14:56
With Freddy having signed a 3-year extension, it is clear he is happy to be the No.2 or No.3 choice goalkeeper, and gives a level of security that Mamardashvili did not provide. Bringing in the hugely talented Lucca Brughmans (who is still growing - frightening) will provide talent for post-Alli while giving him time to bed in to the side.

Mamardashvili recently informed his representatives that he wanted a move, as his move to us had not worked out the way he envisaged. It'd be best to cash in on him while there is a need elsewhere.

31 Aug 2026 11:18:32
Marma just wasn't it for us. Not suited to how we play.

If he does move this window, best of luck to him in his career.

31 Aug 2026 11:20:59
We need a replacement for Becker at some point, for some reason he always seems to be on the verge of a move.

Marmadashvilli is not a replacement.

31 Aug 2026 11:30:30
Brughmans is staying at Genk for this season though. Mamadashvilli leaves and that leaves us with Woodman, I don't know if he is good enough to cover Allison for an 8 game run of CL & Prem games though.

Ali is prone to injury more lately.

31 Aug 2026 11:35:41
I would be looking at Verbruggen next year to replace Alisson. He will have one year left on his contract.

{Ed001's Note - he is not even close to good enough!

31 Aug 2026 11:42:20
I thought Zion Suzuki could be a decent option, Babbity, but he's already gone to Villa.

31 Aug 2026 11:42:26
Jaros is due back around December, Red, we'd be sorted then. Hopefully our No.1 won't have his annual winter injury this season. 😁

31 Aug 2026 11:52:38
When it's time to lose the great Alisson. We should look at that Uni Simon.

Keeps Raya out of the Spain national team, and only let in one goal in a full World Cup winning campaign. Not the youngest but defo gettable from Bilbao.

I dread the day when we lose VVD and AB1. Especially when you see the dross being lined up to replace Salah.

{Ed001's Note - when you say gettable, you have to factor in that they have no need of money, they can't spend it due to their Basques-only signing policy. The only way players leave is if they want to go. So he is only gettable if he wants to join us, in which case, yes, he is very gettable as they will not stand in his way.}

31 Aug 2026 12:01:45
I'm.
With you on Unai Simon. Top.
Top keeper.

31 Aug 2026 12:02:01
Bilbao players aren't the easiest to obtain, LiverpoolFC8. Bilbao don't sign non-Basque players, so they are reluctant to sell top talent and can end up demanding release fees. Also they want a lot of the payments in cash (according to a quick Google) so they can use the money to invest in infrastructure.

{Ed001's Note - that is spot on. They have no real need of money at all, their infrastructure is incredible and they have amongst the best youth systems in the game.}

31 Aug 2026 12:06:08
How about Pecsi or Jaros or the giant Belgian 18-year-old rather than taking the easy option of shelling out tens of millions? What's the point of bringing on top young talent if you have no intention of ever promoting them to the starting team?

31 Aug 2026 12:07:49
Diogo Costa all the way. Will cost a lot, but should sort that position for 5+ years. Great distribution and kicking.

31 Aug 2026 12:34:22
Wasn't Pecsi meant to be the next big thing, is Brughmans rated higher?

31 Aug 2026 12:32:45
Curious Ed001, would the Athletic Bilbao approach to running a club, work in England for one of the lower Premier League sides? To be a top league side and constantly in Europe is a testament to their youth system given the geographic restriction they self imposed.

{Ed001's Note - probably not, we don't have the catchment areas to use. You have to remember the Basque region is a large area of Spain and France.}

31 Aug 2026 12:39:01
This kid looks like a bonafide wonderkid tbf.

31 Aug 2026 12:44:17
Ahh, very interesting. I did not know that, cheers guys. 👌🏻

If we wanted him, we'd just have to turn his head, then I suppose.

Great goalkeeper either way.

31 Aug 2026 13:10:53
Leoni, Lucca, and Iffy - three certified giants.

31 Aug 2026 13:34:01
I'd have Kelleher back in a heart beat myself.

31 Aug 2026 12:47:19
I wrote my question wrong Ed001. What i mean is by shifting the focus to developing an academy system like Bilbaos instead of focusing on the transfer market. So they can still sign players from anywhere, but youth development is the focus. Bilbao are not in financial trouble at all and I think a lot clubs should look to be run like them.

{Ed001's Note - totally agree.

31 Aug 2026 08:45:15
Any insight on Minteh’s injury?
Quick search said unspecified to right leg requiring surgery…

31 Aug 2026 10:14:32
Severe ankle ligament injury caused by a tackle, which required surgery to correct by all accounts.

31 Aug 2026 10:38:30
Not like you to exaggerate the negative, Vik.

31 Aug 2026 10:57:32
Is Mbaye still not completed to Villa? If not, do we have a chance still?

31 Aug 2026 11:00:49
Riosstepover, you do realise Minteh clearly hurt his ankle badly, was in a lot of pain, has already had surgery, and is scheduled to be out for 3/4 months. Vik is literally stating facts.

31 Aug 2026 11:02:42
I think Minteh has a sore ankle.

31 Aug 2026 11:33:48
Severe ankle ligament damage, Chewy? Severe would be a season-ending injury.

He damaged his ankle ligament and it was repaired in surgery. It's a perfectly normal and non career threatening football injury.

31 Aug 2026 11:38:15
Imo, if an injury requires surgery then it is a serious one, BP. Maybe severe is pushing it a little, but I wouldn't classify it as a normal one either.

31 Aug 2026 11:38:26
Linked N'Guessan, Saint Etienne, has just turned 18, seems another cheap option lol.

31 Aug 2026 11:45:19
So, some places you read it's 8 weeks. The people that think it's a good signing believe that version. For those opposed, it's three or four months. 😂 Love the way "severe" has to be added.

31 Aug 2026 11:53:51
Do not buy an injured Minteh. Just look at it again in January if we really want him.

31 Aug 2026 11:59:28
@Flo,
Just for the usual suspect who has a need to exaggerate negatives.

31 Aug 2026 12:09:51
Which specific accounts @Vuktor? Name the names for the accounts or was it just another unsubstantiated jackanory tale

31 Aug 2026 12:54:01
I don't think he's a bad long term signing for what it's worth, but there is no escaping the fact it's a severe injury. Do as much mental gymnastics as you want to in order to convince yourself otherwise. I don't care.

The Brighton manager has come out and said as much that it's a severe injury. A minor injury wouldn't require that kind of moderately invasive surgery and minor injury would have a recovery within a few weeks at most.



The surgery he's alleged to have had has a full normal recovery period 4 to 6 months without the level of physiotherapy a professional athlete will have access to. So three months is probably the quickest recovery expected without triggering recurrence or complications and even then it'll take him weeks to get back to full match fitness.

31 Aug 2026 13:24:17
Before I swapped to individual sports psychology, I was a radiographer, and my time in MRI, x-ray and CT, I saw hundreds of ankle injuries.

Generally speaking, it is a very resistant area of ligaments which usually heals back to normal (unlike knee which gets weaker every time it gets injured in the miniscus area), it does, however, depend entirely on how it's injured. Lateral rolling injuries tend to strip the ligament from the bone, and it doesn't always reattach with the same strength it was originally when the roll happens inward.



If the ankle roll is outward, then it does cause some heavy bruising and tearing, but almost always repairs just fine and is one of the strongest joints in the body.

When it comes to ankle injuries in sports, 9 times out of ten they heal exactly like before. Ankle breaks are a different story, and are extremely problematic, rarely healing like before, and often requiring long term management.

I hope that helps clear up any questions people had about this kind of injury.

31 Aug 2026 15:41:03
Riosstepover. Severe doesn't automatically mean season-ending. There are grades of severity; you can have a moderately severe injury that requires surgery and a relatively lengthy recovery process without it being a season-ender. You can also have severe damage to different body parts and have totally different recovery times; Ekitike, by comparison, though he also damaged his ankle, tore an Achilles tendon. Tendons have terrible blood supply, and as a result, recovery is notoriously long. Minteh likely suffered a fracture and ligament damage severe enough that it required surgery and 3-4 months' recovery. Given the obvious pain Minteh was in, along with the fact that he required surgery and a substantial recovery period, on top of the likelihood that there was a break and/or ligament damage, it seems appropriate to describe the injury as moderately severe, at least until we know more.

Nevada, nice input, mate.

Much appreciated, but I think your closing paragraph is a bit of a blanket statement, and therefore a little inaccurate. As you well know, ligaments never heal "exactly as before" due to the body being incapable of regenerating the tissue; instead, the body repairs the damage with a much inferior scar tissue, meaning the affected area will never be as flexible/robust as it was before. Of course, depending on the level of damage, speed/type of treatment and rehab efforts, the amount by which the scar tissue affects the joint going forward can be considerably reduced. So whilst you can build strength and flexibility in the surrounding tissue to reduce the likelihood of repeat injuries, to say that 90% of ankle injuries heal "exactly like before" would be clinically inaccurate. I think I know what you meant to say, though, that 9/10 of the ankle injuries you might see tend to return to full functional mobility.

31 Aug 2026 17:20:09
I had an ankle ligament injury and it was absolutely debilitating. 1 year and still not healed. They said it would never get back to what it was. I know footballers have better doctors than me, but even still.

31 Aug 2026 09:19:38
Expect news on Matias Fernandez-Pardo today folks.

31 Aug 2026 10:02:24
Are we interested just because we like hijacking a Newcastle signing?

31 Aug 2026 10:09:01
He is a decent player and would be a good buy.

31 Aug 2026 10:30:33
Ekitike was a hijacked Newcastle signing; he didn't turn out that bad.

31 Aug 2026 10:56:06
Would be a bit underwhelmed by the amount of minutes he got for Belgium in the World Cup considering how ageing some of their players are. However, he is young and I'll be honest, I haven't seen enough of him to judge, but every signing seems to sound expensive these days, even for potential.



That being said, Ekitike and Munoz, both snatched from Newcastle, haven't been too bad so far. Early days from Munoz, but I've seen enough to think there's at least a bit of value in his price compared to the numbers being floated lately.

31 Aug 2026 10:58:52
I'm really looking forward to seeing him in a Liverpool shirt. He's young and has real fire in his play. For good or bad, he reminds me a bit of Nunez. (Weirdly, looks like him a bit facially too.....).

31 Aug 2026 11:15:22
Don't know much about Fernandez-Pardo, but I kinda like the idea of either Dario Osorio or Matias Sule. Both South American, left footed Right Wingers. They've got that intense hunger but at low wages (compared to European players).



They do anything to win; biting and all. And boy, we need some nastiness in our squad. Hence why Araujo improves the team. He even goes into full-blown tackles during training.

31 Aug 2026 11:31:00
What about Fernando Partridge?

31 Aug 2026 11:53:17
Fernando Partridge..... It's bank holiday Monday. Who ya with, what ya doin .....

31 Aug 2026 12:03:15
Partridge plays mostly from
The left.

31 Aug 2026 12:08:52
@RobbyRoll. 😅😅😅

31 Aug 2026 12:12:34
Rhetorical questions - Has anybody seen him play? Hand on heart, could you pick him out in a crowd?

31 Aug 2026 14:53:39
A deal has just been agreed with Newcastle so that's a no.

31 Aug 2026 19:08:57
The news is in - He's gone to Newcastle.