Ivan Katalinic's 'tache

I think the issue is around us demanding compensation because he's under 24 and we've offered him a new contract. If Rovers sign him, and we're entitled to compo, then we knock that off the fee they want for Lines (assuming Bart wants to go there and doesn't fail the medical, as he supposedly did at Braga...).

Forgot to say that I checked a Rovers forum and they're saying that their manager has said their new keeper would be a "surprise". None of them have mentioned Bart so could be this will happen.

Really? Is this a guess or have you some news? Would we be offsetting any development fee for Bart, because he's under, 24 against a transfer fee for Lines then? Or can't we do that because Bart isn't a product of our youth system? And I thought Lines had indicated he was staying at Rovers? So many questions...

Adjusted to take on board the very reasonable point that we don't make morning announcements!

To be fair, isn't the start of pre-season the part that most players hate the most? Mainly lots of running and fitness work before the proper training and friendlies start. Can't say that would make me too happy either...

Maybe Cortese has gone off on holiday having tied up any immediate signings but without details of who those signings may be being released to the wider world? Who knows, may be the OS will release a story tomorrow morning, for instance, saying Jackson has signed and has joined up with the rest of the squad in Switzerland...

Very nice. 1 away shirt please, Mr Cortese!

Having looked at that Betfair article again, one of the other stories listed is a rumour about Kalifa Cisse leaving Reading for Bristol City. Which he did today. Maybe Betfair are the rumour site to trust!

http://www.fansonline.net/gillingham/mb/view.php?id=107625 Patred doing some digging for us on Gills forum? Really hope this comes off as will be that missing ingredient of pace up front for us, if it does. Isn't AP good mates with the Gills chairman or something? Might help us beat off the competition...

I think the reality is that we won't know anything is completed until it's actually done. Some of the names speculated may still be true but we won't get the rumours such as a player "is at the round and about to sign" any more. Despite my impatience, that's fine with me if they keep delivering quality signings!

Here's hoping we get automatic promotion and he doesn't have to!!!

With all this talk of Brian Stock, does this mean we're no longer interested in Chris Lines? I thought some were thinking of this as pretty much a done deal?

yeah i've heard this too but i've also heard stock is on his way which is why we've been able to afford billy and also why we've brought gillett back Above is a comment I've lifted a comment from a Doncaster forum, which may mean Stock's arrival might be quite soon.

I think the most concerning thing is the lack of communications from Pardew, TBH (as per the recent thread). If he'd said something outlining his vision for the season ahead, reassuring us all about forthcoming transfer activity etc, I'm sure most of us panickers would draw breath...

Interestingly they splashed out over a million for Billy Sharp today. Not sure they have that much spare cash knocking around so maybe they're sensing some imminently incoming funds? Any idea whether any of these deals are imminent? Sorry for all the questions but my impatience is getting the better of me!

I guess I should also ask if you know the identity of the other 3 potential signings (the RB, CM & winger)?!

Ok, cheers. That said, Trundle hasn't been that careful with his weight in recent years. Maybe we've been focussing on the wrong "weighty" striker (Akinfenwa)!!

Presumably the plan is to reveal details of new signings on 7th July, at 11.30pm, to ensure news is broken first on the OS.

Have to agree. Given Saints luck, we'd only sign that right back and end up with a spate of injuries in September!!

They've run off to Brighton together. They got the wrong idea about forming a partnership.

There's a post on the other transfer thread indicating that the striker is a "massive" signing. Any indication from your source who the 4 might be? Are any of them stellar signings or 'just' better than we already have?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milton_Palacios_Suazo Wikipedia lists some more brothers, amongst them this fella. Who just happens to have Jose as a middle name and be a defender.

Would he come back here if Kelvin was to leave?

A few have mentioned Ben Burgess as a possibility (as back-up for Rickie). Another one to rule out then, as Sky say he's signed for Notts County. The freebies are gradually being snapped up and I'm beginning to wonder if we're more in the purchase (or even loan) market rather than taking on free transfers.

Would be nice to hear something, anything(!), from our manager!