He'd be as big a signing as Bonucci. Two serious signings which genuinely put us as title contenders if we pull the second off.

Agreed there, it's his attitude that's worrying for me. If he wants to be petulant, he spends the majority of a game focused on antagonising the opposing defenders rather than on his game.

Add to that, his desire to go to Atletico is also problematic because if he's not happy and not fully committed to the cause he'll be a bad influence on the rest

Anyway, we'll see who we end up with in the end, all the guys we've been linked with, aside from Kalinic, are all top class and would instantly make us contenders for top 2 imo. So as I said before, I'm not going to worry too much either way and let Fassone & Mirabelli work their magic

Well, we have Andre Silva. If the Costa and Sanches deals go through, that would be three Mendes clients.

I see your point re: getting him to wantto stay. I just don't think it's going to happen. he has made his wishes clear enough and caused enough problems at other clubs when he didn't get his way (eg Chelsea).

We'll have to agree to disagree. I don't think Costa is anywhere near world class - and as stated above, my definition is 'would this player make a world XI'.

My definition of world class strikers would include the three from Barca (depending on how you define striker), Ronaldo, and maybe Lewandowski. I think the English-language media is VASTLY overusing the term.

Agreed.

I think Fish is onto something here. Look at the whole summer. Apart from Bonucci, when it comes to attractive (high-fee) players, we've been linked with various Mendes players. First James, then we signed in a questionable deal Andre Silva, now I read Falcao also being mentioned beside Diego Costa and a very likely transfer of Renato Sanches.

Now tell me, do we really need Renato Sanches for 40M?

Your definition is as vague as the English language media's is. You talk about a world XI but then name five strikers you'd put in it!

Bit top-heavy no?!

Let's face it, it is less a vague term and more an invalid one but all too easy to use. For me, if you name the best five strikers on earth, he wouldn't quite make it. Mbappe, Suarez, Lacazette (bargain for Arsenal that one), Dybala, and Auba would be one group I could validly use (MNC just aren't in this group, they are a league and category of their own) but equally I could say Benzema, Higuain, Lewandowsk, Costa and and Aguero have strong cases too.

It's subjective but one thing I'd say about all these players. They're world class. Whatever that means (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Only club he has ever had any issues at has been Chelsea. And even then he didn't so much not get his way as simply get told Conte didn't want him.

He's not a dressing room problem and never has been. He's really the kinda guy you WANT on your side, and the type you hate when he isn't.

I've been objecting to Sanches since the name cropped up. And I thought we weren't allowed to question the signing of Silva!

Yeah he can be a total c*nt on the pitch, depending on his mood. But then what makes us weaker - Costa going round annoying folk or Suso having a poor match? Answer - neither - both are a pain. Most attackers have weaknesses - Suso it's his consistency and slight selfishness, Costa it's his loss of focus at times and winding opposition players up. I'd take that with the package given just how much else he can offer.



He's also talked us up too. There's been so much b*llocks tbh in this window - I think he'd go where he's wanted and where he gets paid what he wants.



Haha love how you avoid the 'world class' debate with 'top class' (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I have my doubts about Belotti, and obviously we lost out on Morata, and Aub remains up in the air.

Not much we can do beyond wait and see.

This post has been edited by Danny: Jul 26 2017, 11:47 AM

Very close to signing Renato Sanches.

He wants to leave Bayern for playing time, but he should be a bench player here too. I mean, we're already covered in midfield in terms of starters.

What kind of player is he anyway? DM? Box-to-box? Creator?

From what I saw v us and what I remember at the Euros box to box creative. Really not sure why we're interested.

I mean he's not a horrible player, and there's potential, but like Silva I'm at a loss as to what he'll bring over what we have.

I AM SHOCKED. Danny and I actually agree for once.

I'd much rather develop Locatelli or another of our kids than develop someone else's.

I see a flying sheep (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)



It lasted till you mentioned Locatelli (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

I've seen him play in person a couple of times. I'm a fan.