19 Aug 2026 10:09:43
We should only ever wait for David Ornstein to tweet right? ?.
19 Aug 2026 12:19:58
There are doubts surrounding Baleba, but he still had some good moments last year, and his profile is exactly what we need. Obviously, it's a risk, but the upside is huge, and he and Santos can rotate. A rebuild for 150M would be great work, and if things don't quite work out, we should have scope to change it up next year.
Tielemans, Mainoo, Santos, and Baleba, with Mount, if he's ever fit, would allow for a lot of flexibility. Fingers crossed, the deal gets done!
19 Aug 2026 12:29:42
Don
Net spend is presently 32.5M, 60m for Baleba and 60m for Hall would come to 150 ish. 30 for Watkins as well would be better.
19 Aug 2026 12:23:28
Ha s that fraud Romano put out a here we go yet?
19 Aug 2026 14:54:27
Red Man, the figure I mentioned is for midfield and refers to outgoings and not a net amount. Tielemans 35M + Santos 50M + Baleba 65M. Obviously, just going off reports of the Baleba fee.
I'm not concerned about net spend, etc. I think you're being unreasonable. We've had higher net spend more than anyone else for a decade. Our net spend is so large because we overspent on players on the way down rather than buying players coming into their prime.
Are you not happy with those 3? On the previous thread, I'd have them all as tier 2 players, and of the tier 1, only Eliot Anderson has moved this summer (obviously I'm not including Rodri, who was only ever going to Spain).
If we get at least one decent fullback, I'll regard this as excellent work, and I won't give a jot about net spend. I'd love another forward player and a centre back, but not everything is possible at the same time, and sometimes that's not because of finances.
19 Aug 2026 18:50:37
Don,
Yes, it's a far better midfield than we had before as long as Baleba goes through. I said on here the other day I felt Scott would be a better choice, but to actually get a mf player like Baleba is an improvement.
Yes, we got the wrong players previously, and if you look back at my posts, you would see I often said that, Casemiro and Mount being examples.
I took loads of stick on here for saying it about Casemiro.
We now need a lb and striker, but suspect the striker may be a loan. Let's hope they finish the needs off, and look at rebuilding other parts in the coming window.
Full spend or net spend seems to be used to suit the argument, but it is relevant this period given how we did nothing in January.
19 Aug 2026 21:34:44
Net spend is down because the Hojlund fee came through this summer. But, hey ho, we're not going to agree on this topic. I think we're shaping up well. A fullback is really needed, but this will be 3 really good summer transfer windows. You seem to just ignore that and get caught up with a particular narrative.