Frenkie de Jong | The last muppeting lap

[Strootman's Finger]

Neves, a player so good that despite everyone knowing his club will sell and are planning replacements, not one club has been credibly linked with him the entire transfer window, other than maybe Barca for 5 mins at the beginning of June.

 

[dutchred]

Think he's going to Real, mate. Who else?

Can't think of anyone else but certainly not Neves for the price

 

[OrcaFat]

If we could be guaranteed one or other of FDJ or Neves, I’d take that now. Would prefer FDJ because that’s who ETH wants but personally I like Neves. Before FDJ was “available”, Neves was my first choice.

I’ve read some people saying he’s slow and not press resistant but I disagree. He’s mobile enough, very calm under pressure, has a good passing range, knows when to get forward and can score from distance. I’d be over the moon with him.

Having said all that, it sounds like general speculation from Reddy.

 

[Drifter]

So confident that they have a backup, just in case.

 

[Nicoseth]

No he's not

Eh, yes he is. On a free. Next summer.

 

[jamesjimmybyrondean]

Eh, yes he is. On a free. Next summer.

Reports only said Real are interested in him but only on a free. Doesn't make him Real bound

 

[Nicoseth]

Can't think of anyone else but certainly not Neves for the price

That's the issue, mate - not many alternatives of sufficient quality. Neves for 60m is steep, but it's the going rate.

 

[mu4c_20le]

That's the issue, mate - not many alternatives of sufficient quality. Neves for 60m is steep, but it's the going rate.

That kind of attitude is how we ended up breaking the record with Maguire.

 

[JJ12]

So confident that they have a backup, just in case.

Would be pretty moronic not having a back up. Imagine the backlash if it was De Jong or nothing.

 

[tomaldinho1]

The underrating of Neves is so weird, are these people just not happy with signing someone from Wolves? He would be a huge upgrade for our midfield, as we can move Fred forward.

Nail on head. It’s bizarre. He’s a top player, a little slow though which worries me given I think our squad needs more dynamism

 

[Nicoseth]

Reports only said Real are interested in him but only on a free. Doesn't make him Real bound

I guess we'll see. Still much more solid link to them than us.

 

[Cypriot]

So confident that they have a backup, just in case.

Would be very stupid not to. Even if all is agreed Barca can flat out refuse to sell at the very last second if they wanted to. You just never know.

 

[croadyman]

Barcelona leak Chelsea are interested and we reply by saying we've got back ups in Neves.

And so the stand off continues

Yeah this stand off has drained most of us

 

[Nicoseth]

So confident that they have a backup, just in case.

Well, yeah.

 

[RDCR07]

Linked ? Looks like you are bit behind.

Oh I am sorry did they sign even one of those players on that list?

 

[Nicoseth]

Neves, a player so good that despite everyone knowing his club will sell and are planning replacements, not one club has been credibly linked with him the entire transfer window, other than maybe Barca for 5 mins at the beginning of June.

Could say the same about Frenkie until the Chelsea link this week.

 

[Counterfactual]

We're playing poker holding a hand of dominoes, but it's still on!

 

[Strootman's Finger]

Could say the same about Frenkie until the Chelsea link this week.

That link has been there almost as long as ours. City was credibly linked with him early on and PSG was mentioned quite a bit in the beginning as well and Bayern has been thrown around a number of times.

 

[Nicoseth]

That kind of attitude is how we ended up breaking the record with Maguire.

That's just not true. Can't compare all transfers to Maguire. There were cheaper, possibly better alternatives to Maguire (Koulibaly for example), but Maguire was the player Ole wanted. With de Jong there aren't many quality alternatives out there which is why Neves is pricy, but worth it imo.

 

[Shark]

Neves being backup is music to my ears.

 

[Semper Fudge]

Bye bye week minded muppet

It’s a daily occurrence at this point.

 

[sillwuka]

Knowing our luck the backup will end up being more expensive than FDJ.

 

[TheReligion]

I've never even heard of Omari Hutchinson. Is he supposed to be particularly talented? I would assume yet again he isn't seen as someone who has much place in the 1st team this season or next. From what I've seen RLC is likely to leave before the end of the window. Jorginho and Kante's contracts are up at the end of the season and instead of relying on 2 youngsters to replace them, it is more likely they would want someone they're more confident can definitely make the step up now. I seriously doubt they intend to use Gilmour this season considering he wasn't particularly impressive at Norwich. I expect he'll be going back out on loan. Mount can fill in in midfield sure but he's definitely at his best on the right of the attack and I would expect that's where we'll see him most this season. Gallagher I'd expect will get a lot of mins but from what I've heard in the pre-season and the bits I've seen he might not be fully ready to take over from Kante yet. He was great at Palace but I expect Tuchel will want the option to rotate him in and out at this stage. Kovacic will of course start every game he's available for. He does have a history of injuries which could recur and they need to be prepared for that just in case. Most importantly, which of these players can actually fill in for Jorginho? There are perhaps options to replace Kante/Gallagher/Kovacic but who can play that deeper playmaker role? FDJ would fit that role perfectly and be a significant upgrade on Jorginho imo, who will likely not even be a Chelsea player next season.

I don't even necessarily think they will get FDJ. I still think he'll just end up staying at Barcelona and take the massive wage he's due personally. I just don't assume that Chelsea aren't interested in him and I see plenty reason why they would be.

The fact remains it’s €85m on a player that they don’t need this season or who will be a bit part player with Jorginho.

They have also bought two talented 18 year old CMs for probably next season and beyond.

If they sell some of their CMs then happily revisit this with you but as it’s stands it’s extremely unlikely.

Id also suggest they don’t have the funds in line with who else they have bought and are linked with nor is it more of a priority than a forward.

 

[Nicoseth]

That link has been there almost as long as ours. City was credibly linked with him early on and PSG was mentioned quite a bit in the beginning as well and Bayern has been thrown around a number of times.

This statement is pretty inaccurate. Yes, names have been mentioned - but not seriously. One of the main things United have had going for them this whole feckin time has been that we were the only club seriously in for him. City distanced themselves from the story very early on, same with Bayern and PSG. Chelsea links were very weak until this week.

 

[Adnan]

Melissa Reddy is saying that Neves is one of the names that has been looked at and not the only name.

 

[SteveCoppellFan]

The idea that we would be willing to wait this long and then not get him would be just insane.

How utterly stupid would we look then ?

It cannot possible happen surely !

 

[Chief123]

Melissa Reddy is saying that Neves is one of the names that has been looked at and not the only name.

Another name we’re looking at as aswell is Vidal.

 

[croadyman]

I don’t hate Neves, in any other scenario I’d be buzzing to have him- genuinely admired him for years at wolves, but if it’s at the expense of Frenkie who is a dream player for our team.

Yeah feel exactly the same as you

 

[bond19821982]

Oh I am sorry did they sign even one of those players on that list?

Don't even know what you are trying to prove here. They will sign Cucurela and a CB. Even if they don't sign a backup right back they would still be hitting close to 220-230 m mark.

If you are asking me to show the bank statement, then I may not be able to produce it for you . Sorry.

Jeez, the length to which some people go just to prove a point !!!

 

[Withnail]

Real bound by the sounds of it.

I thought Real were looking at him for next Summer.

 

[Trequarista10]

The underrating of Neves is so weird, are these people just not happy with signing someone from Wolves? He would be a huge upgrade for our midfield, as we can move Fred forward.

Agreed. Very good player, suits what we need. The moaning about "why are we signing someone from [insert club]" has been going on for years, despite the multitudes of examples of players moving from weaker teams to better teams and it being a brilliant move. Even if you analyse that silly argument, we're no longer in a position where everyone outside the top 4 is our potential feeder club. We used to be able to sign one of Spurs' best players every couple seasons, those days are long gone.

De Jong is a class above and would be the dream signing but Neves would improve us. Id take both tbh if we could, and move on one or two of our weaker CMs.

 

[P-Nut]

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Isn't it his job to answer questions like this, not ask them?

 

[Dazzmondo]

The fact remains it’s €85m on a player that they don’t need this season or who will be a bit part player with Jorginho.

They have also bought two talented 18 year old CMs for probably next season and beyond.

If they sell some of their CMs then happily revisit this with you but as it’s stands it’s extremely unlikely.

Id also suggest they don’t have the funds in line with who else they have bought and are linked with nor is it more of a priority than a forward.

If they sign FDJ he's obviously not going to be a bit part player for a midfielder who will be leaving the club next season. Jorginho would obviously be FDJ's backup in the event that they sign him.

Seems like Sterling was their forward. Haven't seen any links with any strikers and he has played through the middle in pre-season. They also have Broja as a backup if they plan to keep him and can shift Havertz up front in the event of an injury to Sterling with the option to bring Pulisic in (who seems to actually be playing pretty well in pre-season).

 

[SalfordRed18]

Neves is class.

 

[TheReligion]

If they sign FDJ he's obviously not going to be a bit part player for a midfielder who will be leaving the club next season. Jorginho would obviously be FDJ's backup in the event that they sign him.

Seems like Sterling was their forward. Haven't seen any links with any strikers and he has played through the middle in pre-season. They also have Broja as a backup if they plan to keep him and can shift Havertz up front in the event of an injury to Sterling with the option to bring Pulisic in (who seems to actually be playing pretty well in pre-season).

Werner and Ziyech look like going, Lukaku has left. They need a forward more than De Jong.

Anyway as I say it looks quite obvious they are planning their midfield for the future with these signings and there’s no current scope to add De Jong for €85m nor would their budget allow it.

Cucurella at £50m, Fofana rumoured at £80-90m, Dumfries £30m..

 

[Brownie85]

I'm guessing that at some point this week, we'll know for sure whats going on.
I still think he's coming and there has been somewhat of a breakthrough with the wage situation, due to the narrative change yesterday from Barca. Thats just my opinion though, i don't have a clue whats actually going to happen of course, but i suppose if we've briefed somewhat that we're still confident, then it should be done

 

[pogbasformerbarber]

Neves is class.

If we tell Barca to piss off and get Neves for significantly less I would be a very happy fanboy.

Watching Barca implode financially in the wake would make it even more worth it...

 

[hobbers]

£80m for Neves on deadline day, what a crap ending that'll be to a crap window.

 

[Withnail]

So we take Dest off their hands they pay Frenkie... Job done

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[Shark]

£80m for Neves on deadline day, what a crap ending that'll be to a crap window.

Still better than Fellaini on deadline day.