S-Clarke

If people are still wondering who he is/how he plays... As you can see, he pops up on the left, the right, in the middle, cuts inside etc. I think the comparisons to Kaka seem fair, going by his stature and physice. Seems quite tall but insanely technical.

It's great being the big fish and the ''Man Utd'' of a league. The pressure is huge, but it's exciting seeing the wins stack up. A club the size of us, and yourselves can get a real momentum, and then at that level you can see all sorts of club records broken (in good ways). Like we did. Enjoy it, I only have fond memories to be honest. 2 great years, but good to be back where we are.

Maybe - Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik ? I don't think Nixon has mentioned him before but we have been linked in some places, but he'd be a coup. Being tracked by a host of top clubs all over europe, very good CB.

Not really asked him about stuff in the past, he's an old work colleague who ahs moved into the sports media so gets lots of snippets. Thought I'd ask him about this to see what he though and that's what he said. Let's just wait and see I guess, but I have no reason to believe who I spoke to is speaking rubbish. I must admit even I'm still about sketpcial about us actually being able to pull it off in the end, good ambition being in for him...but let's see if we can get it over the line.

Some southern freelance Journalist based on the Isle of White i believe.

£15/16m euro's apparently, so £11/12m is what Bolgona want in English pounds. Which I don't think is too bad, considering Jarvis is going for £10-11m.

He can play as one, but he's a winger pretty much. From what i've read about him, he likes to cut in and go through the middle etc.

Can't see any signings done before the weekend myself, left it too late now, and they wouldn't be involved at City anyway - maybe just from the bench if signed in time - so makes sense just taking a bit more time over it. We'd struggle at City with a couple of new faces anyway...! Best to treat this as a bit of a bonus game.

Yep, I saw that one. Would assume it's Gaston. - if it progresses, as he said anyway. Gaston is about £12m, phillips £6m - so that's almost £20m eaten up already, which is why I think it's 1 of Gaston/Phillips and then 2x CB's.

http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/sport/football/footballnews/9878276.Spurs_pursuit_of_Ramirez_over_/?ref=rss - Spurs end pursuit.

TBF Nixon has been spot on with everything so far.

Nixon on twitter - Think a few things are a lot closer. Maybe three or four deals before window shuts. Maybe 20m spent. That's apparently an additional £20m on top of the £10m we've already spent.

Not sure myself, got a feeling that Phillips is the ''alternative'' option. That's just a hunch though.

Phillips is stronger, quicker, younger and cheaper. No brainer for me. I don't think there's a great deal between either player. Once Phillips gets a chance in the Pl I think he could have as good an impact, if not better.

Pretty much. Both can play on either flank, or through the middle, pacey direct players. Although Gaston is much, much better technically.

I have heard that this is serious. We have been in discussions with representatives on Gaston's side, and Bologna's side since Monday - Cortese was apparently in Italy at the start of the week where he met with them, and the parties have now traveled to England, along with Gaston. A fee of around £12m is still being thrashed out, but we seem to be in the driving seat. Might be a load of twaddle, but I thought I'd share. I didn't believe it at first as I thought he was too big a player to get here, but with what I've heard, what the Italian press people have said and a couple of other ''ITK'' people, I'm sure there is active interest to make this a real possibility. It could well be that our driving to get Phillips done signals the end of the Gaston interest, but whatever, our interest seems to be/have been real. Exciting.

Christ, this one won't go away will it??

Ince really came into the forefront in the 2nd half of the season and established himself as a starter. As you said, Phillips was much more influential over the course of the entire season. Let's not forget his spell at Sheff U in L1 as well, an amazing month there where he ripped the league apart.

Bearing in mind we've got to the PL ahead of schedule, so there's prob still a bit to play with.

I think Phillips has a bit more of a presence about him. Stronger, a bit quicker and pretty ''bulky''. Ince is fairly small and doesn't have the same sort of physical presence, although from what I've seen he looks to be a bit better technically.

Would imagine both clubs have been talking for days (since the illegal approach came out) Maybe this is the agreement we've come to.

From what I understand, a Trust fund was set up shortly after the takeover. Markus put around £50m of his personal wealth into this trust fund. That is there to call on whenever and was part of the 5 year plan, and stayed even after he passed as far as I know. That's where the money is being sourced for the academy/training ground and other club developments - and transfers. Maybe we've almost used it all up though...! And who knows what happens when we no longer have that investment to call on.

Look at players like Pilkington, plucked from L1 after a bad injury but he always had class. Stands out in the PL as a real quality player, had a great season last year. Phillips has the potential to do that, and more. Don't see a problem with this policy if I'm honest. Good resale value and a good life-span in the team, could stick together for years.

A fair wad of cash right there, but he's that direct, pacey right winger we need - who can also play left. Exactly the sort of player we need. Can also play up top and through the middle with a real goal threat. I rate him very highly, if only we'd have signed him when we were interested before - 800k would have got him then...!!!!!!