09 Aug 2022 05:02:33
Hi Ed,

Any truth in United finally turning their attention to SMS or is it just useless paper talk. Does this mean that they have given up on FDJ completely?

Thanks!

{Ed002's Note - Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (CM/AM) Lazio had no intention of selling unless the player pushed for a move, but the reality of having 10 players out of contract in the summer means they are facing selling two out of three key players, including Milinkovic-Savic, to help fund the changes they wish to make and to free up wages. It would take a huge offer of perhaps €70M to complete a sale. At that price the interested parties would want to include players in any deal if possible. Inter are effectively priced out of any move with other transfers they are making. Real Madrid's interest has moved on but circumstances are rapidly changing in Madrid and they could look again. PSG may make an offer after failing to sign midfield targets in recent windows. Manchester United remain very keen - and he is the preferred choice by some at the club but not all, and they are off chasing another target. Lazio are interested in three Chelsea players and it may be possible some sort of deal could be found including Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. Spurs may show an interest but a move is seen as very unlikely - the same with Juventus and Newcastle, although Juventus could yet look to an offer. Arsenal have declared an interest and made a verbal offer but cannot offer Champions League which makes it more difficult to persuade the player.

I have explained the position with de Jong.}

1.) 09 Aug 2022
09 Aug 2022 10:42:28
This is significantly better news than Arnautovic or Rabiot.

2.) 09 Aug 2022
09 Aug 2022 11:27:23
Apparently ETH very unhappy with Murtough’s competence this window and told Arnold that he needs someone in like paul Mitchell.

3.) 09 Aug 2022
09 Aug 2022 12:51:16
According to someone I know who knows Paul Mitchell, they said that Paul Mitchell "was'nt up to the job". Now I don't know if they meant if he was good enough, more like he maybe was'nt interested in the job. That was around the time he met up with Ralph. Would you leave Monaco the millionaires playground with great weather for as Ed002 would put it, the rain, cobbled streets and dead pit ponies of manchester?

4.) 09 Aug 2022
09 Aug 2022 12:57:45
If that was true getting in a proper, competent DoF would be the best thing that could happen this summer to us.

I believe the manager has the quality required but no faith anywhere else.

5.) 09 Aug 2022
09 Aug 2022 12:30:55
Ed, could De Jong end up and United and SMS at Chelsea?

{Ed002's Note - I cannot sensibly answer such questions.}

6.) 09 Aug 2022
09 Aug 2022 14:47:41
Hey Ed,

Thanks for the update. Just a follow up on the same, which other midfielder are united chasing now? Is that Rabiot?

Thanks!

{Ed002's Note - Right now yes.}