** Summer Transfer Window 2011/12 Season Rumours/Signings **

[Shamikebab]

I would assume he thought she was asking something else, it was too nonchalant an answer.

 

[Rotty]

"Could Berbatov play with Paris?"
"Yes...no problem"

That's what was said, whether he thought she said something else though.

He thought she said "would you like a large scotch ? "

 

[Rameses]

lol I wouldn't hold much to that interview the pair of them didn't / couldn't understand what the other was saying...

He thought she said "would you like a large scotch ? "

LOL

 

[FrankJH]

double post - sorry

 

[FrankJH]

I think SAF knows somethign more about Berba but isnt saying, he certainly heard correctly and the slight change / extended smile

being on the other side of the fence (ie buying side) he would also say he knows nothing about sneijder - IF any agreement has only just been clarified with Milan then Sneijder's agent has probably not got to Manchester yet (officially at least - let alone getting the player back from China where he is with Milan currently) so SAF will stick to standard "paper talk" line until WS is standing next to him holding a United shirt (if he ever does)

While WS is highly unlikely to score anything like Berba did last season, he could certainly make it a **** of a load easier for Utd to score, so I wouldnt be surprised if both deals hinged on each other (not so much from a money point of view - just from the squad/ goals pov)

Of course Berba is now more like 3rd if not 4th choice striker (depending on Welbeck) , where as WS would obviously be primary choice in AM position - if deals do rely on each other then there are good and bad aspects to it being a striker for an AM.........

kicks myself - I REALLY dont want to be drawn into any hopeful discussions about this player anymore, its sooooo infuriating

 

[BaZ87]

Don't think it's been mentioned on here yet but all the rags are running stories saying that we've either agreed or close to agreeing a fee of around £6m with Newcastle for Enrique.

He'd be a decent signing for us and that's a decent price too.

 

[sammo62]

Don't think it's been mentioned on here yet but all the rags are running stories saying that we've either agreed or close to agreeing a fee of around £6m with Newcastle for Enrique.

He'd be a decent signing for us and that's a decent price too.

We'd only be a good CB and keeping Aquilani away from having a decent transfer window if that's true.

 

[Azza]

Don't think it's been mentioned on here yet but all the rags are running stories saying that we've either agreed or close to agreeing a fee of around £6m with Newcastle for Enrique.

He'd be a decent signing for us and that's a decent price too.

Obviously just paper talk, Liverpool can't buy anyone now without spending £12m+ on them.


Being serious, I don't see why you'd get him since Johnson signed a new contract the other month, so Kenneth obviously likes him.

 

[Andybtsn]

Enrique is a quality LB, Johnson is good there but in the end he ain't a LB.

 

[BaZ87]

Obviously just paper talk, Liverpool can't buy anyone now without spending £12m+ on them.

Being serious, I don't see why you'd get him since Johnson signed a new contract the other month, so Kenneth obviously likes him.

Because Johnson's a RB and Enrique's a LB

On the basis that both Aurelio and Insua will be sold (or at least the club are trying to sell them), Johnson and Kelly (if he can be classed as senior) would be our only senior fullbacks. Although we've also got 2 decent young full backs coming through in Robinson and Flanagan, there's still a need for an experienced LB. A serious injury to one of Johnson or Kelly and we're left relying on 1 of the youngsters and we paid for that 2 seasons ago when Aurelio was out for so long.

 

[Pigeon_Killer]

Enrique is a quality LB, Johnson is good there but in the end he ain't a LB.

Johnson had an outstanding season at LB last year. Didn't offer as much going forwards but the defensive side of his game was faultless. Don't know if that was down to him having to concentrate more because he was out of position or because of Kenny but he looked far more assured as a LB than he did as a RB

As for Sneijder to United, until Rooney learns to stay in position and stop dropping deep NO attacking midfielder will succeed at United. Having said that, if Fergie manages to control him and get the best out of both of them

 

[BaZ87]

We'd only be a good CB and keeping Aquilani away from having a decent transfer window if that's true.

Agree completely regarding the CB but seriously get over Aquilani, he's going. He doesn't want to be here and even if he did, it's hard to see where he'll fit into the side too.

Pigeon mentioned in the pre-season thread that if Aquilani's going to play then he's got to play off the front and he's not going to start there ahead of Suarez. He would however be excellent cover but can you justify keeping somebody on big wages and who would command a sizable transfer fee if he's only going to be a squad player? Had he wanted to stay, I'd be gutted if we didn't keep him but he doesn't want to be here so while I'd be happy if he ended up staying, I'm not that fussed if he goes either.

As for Sneijder to United, until Rooney learns to stay in position and stop dropping deep NO attacking midfielder will succeed at United. Having said that, if Fergie manages to control him and get the best out of both of them

I suspect Utd would have to change their system in order to fit Sneijder in. I'd be surprised if they played in him the middle in a 4-4-2, which would mean either leaving out Hernandez and playing Sneijder off Rooney or shifting Rooney out wide.

 

[Pigeon_Killer]

Don't see why Aquilani can't play in the centre of a 3 with Suarez and Downing either side of him. Henderson will take a season or two to mature and Adams will play deeper alongside Lucas so the only issue is where Gerrard will play if and when he regains fitness. Certainly wouldn't keep Aqua if Kenny favours a 4-4-2 though.

 

[BaZ87]

Don't see why Aquilani can't play in the centre of a 3 with Suarez and Downing either side of him. Henderson will take a season or two to mature and Adams will play deeper alongside Lucas so the only issue is where Gerrard will play if and when he regains fitness. Certainly wouldn't keep Aqua if Kenny favours a 4-4-2 though.

That would certainly work for Aquilani but would you be getting the best out of Suarez if he was playing from the right? I'm sure he'd have the freedom to come off the wing but he'd be still be restricted. Suarez needs to be playing as close to Carroll as possible and with freedom to drift out wide on occasion. Not the other way around.

I'm not sure if he's capable but if Aquilani could play that right hand side role in a similar way to Meireles did last season then that would be a solution.

It looks like being a case of 1 of Aquilani or Meireles needs to leave to balance the books/the squad and with Aquilani's desire to leave and seemingly there being more interest in him, he's the 1 that will leave. I wish it were the other way around though.

edit: On Johnson. He played a few games at RB post-Dalglish's appointment too and looked equally as good defensively as when he was at LB and naturally more dangerous going forward.

edit2: I remember when we first bought him Benitez played him at LB in pre-season and explained the reason was to try and make him think more about when to attack and when to stay back.

 

[Pigeon_Killer]

I like them both but Aquilani provides that extra bit of class only Suarez and Gerrard are capable of producing whilst being far more creative. We've already got our fair share of work horses so it would be a shame to see such a talent be allowed to walk away.

Having said that, I've always thought he's the type of player that would shine in a team like Arsenal so perhaps he's just not suited to the way we play football.

 

[BaZ87]

Agree about the added class and can't help but think he'd excel playing with Suarez and Gerrard under Dalglish (if you found a system to fit them in). Based on his attitude and performances pre-season, I see no reason to doubt Aquilani's application if he does end up staying. Lets just hope any deal to sell or loan out Aquilani falls through at the last minute and he's forced to stay, and with the up coming Euros he accepts he's here and plays for his place in the Italian squad.

I'm not sure if you're implying Meireles is a work horse but if so, I think that's a bit harsh. I do like Meireles but I do think people went way over board with their praise of him on the back end of that month or so when he kept scoring. To me he's no different and no better than Maxi. When the side is playing well he plays well; links up well and uses the ball efficiently but lacks a spark and too often the game passes him by when we're not on top.

 

[bagsjoni]

I think Aquillani will leave. Its a shame we will lose such a talent cheaply but i think he was a victim of circumstances. He joined at a time when we were in a confused state and some how we messed his carrier.

I still think loaning him to Juventus was so stupid in all ways and if RH had not done it he wouldn't even be on sale now.

Reports are saying he might join AC Millan for 8.7m. His agent seems to be his opposite he really talks too much!!

 

[CliffyG]

So is this going to be another window of making stupid offers then never increasing them? Why can't Wenger just get his **** together and sell / buy at the start of the window for a change.

 

[placeholder]

I think SAF knows somethign more about Berba but isnt saying, he certainly heard correctly and the slight change / extended smile

being on the other side of the fence (ie buying side) he would also say he knows nothing about sneijder - IF any agreement has only just been clarified with Milan then Sneijder's agent has probably not got to Manchester yet (officially at least - let alone getting the player back from China where he is with Milan currently) so SAF will stick to standard "paper talk" line until WS is standing next to him holding a United shirt (if he ever does)

While WS is highly unlikely to score anything like Berba did last season, he could certainly make it a **** of a load easier for Utd to score, so I wouldnt be surprised if both deals hinged on each other (not so much from a money point of view - just from the squad/ goals pov)

Of course Berba is now more like 3rd if not 4th choice striker (depending on Welbeck) , where as WS would obviously be primary choice in AM position - if deals do rely on each other then there are good and bad aspects to it being a striker for an AM.........

kicks myself - I REALLY dont want to be drawn into any hopeful discussions about this player anymore, its sooooo infuriating

That makes a lot of sense. I think its inevitable that if another player comes in on a sizeable fee then someone fairly big will leave. We have too many players up front as it is and if an offer came in Berbs is the most likely to go as I see it. A shame because i really like him as a player and im sure he would rather stay. However Hernandez and Rooney are obviously going nowhere, Welbeck isnt going on loan again, Diouf and Macheda arent really in the first team picture and Owen looks like a useful squad man so theres really only one person left.

I think a front four of Hernandez, Rooney, Owen and Welbeck, supplimented by the likes of Young and (in an emergency) Macheda, has quite a good balance and pecking order to it. Thats without mentioning the arrivial of any Dutch attacking midfielders!!

 

[The Running Man]

If fergies plan was to buy a load of wingers and give them the team of smallest forwards of any premiership team to aim at, well by jove, he's done it!

Asked if berba to Psg fergie said. 'yes he might. that's possible'

I guess it makes sense if you think your team is big and ugly enough to play without throwing Chris smelling up front in an emergency. or if you fancy that your wingers are as incapable of crossing the ball as say, park, obertan, valencia are.