S-Clarke

They're going all 'galactico'' on us. Was surprised to learn that Bastian (I'm not attempting his 2nd name..) only made 15 starts last seaosn.

But you've never, ever, ever seen him play - so how can you come to that conclusion?

Inside The SPFL ‏@AgentScotland Jul 9 Swansea and Southampton have both made contact with Celtic about Van Dijk, both had positive talks with club but no official bid offered yet

Forty Nine Million?! That FFP is working wonders. Depay is a better player, he only cost £23m. British Players are so pointlessly overpriced.

I imagine there are a few clauses in that, which will bump it up a bit. But that really is a snip, when you consider someone like Rodwell set Sunderland back £12m last summer. Sounds like this is now moving very, very fast though. Going by the rate it's going, I'd say we could see an announcement early next week.

I don't think you can really class Crook as a journalist.

I'm amazed at how either he, or his ''wife'' seems to be so connected to every, single, club in the world. Impressive.

He's quality tbh. We could do a hell of a lot worse, would be a big investment as he'd be £14-15m

StekelenBORG

Yeah, building so much for the future that he was checking out other clubs in his last 6 months. If that isn't building for the future, I don't know what is. Enjoy supporting Arsenal/Man Utd next season, they're welcome to your looney tunes rants.

They'll have a hell of a lot of options if he signs, best midfield they've had in a long time. Hopefully he signs as a start though, and not just someone who will be on t he bench.

So, are we close to any signings?

Lucky, given that his ball composure is normally as good as an elephants.

I like Soares tbh, always offers himself in attack on an overlap and has a bit of grit about him too.

Just imagine this guy as commentator, with Owen as co-commentator. The TV station would have to invent an alternative ''mute'' commentary option.

There is simply no midfield out there. No room for error with the Morgan replacement.

So, Stoke missed out on Shaquiri, Konopolyaka and Soures. Lost Begovic and N'Zonzi and have signed Given and Glen Johnson. Ouch. That's gotta hurt.

I dunno, I'm personally looking forward to the thread moaning about others moaning about people moaning again.

I dunno, Williamson pushes him close.

I don't agree with what you say at all. edit, oh ****...

I can see Van Dijk being a target. And one which wouldn't ''underwhelm'' me what so ever. Terrific centre back.

Yeah, I've just had a quick look on there actually. Quite stunned to see how 'meh' they'd be if they signed Bastian rather than Morgan...! Shows how highly Morgan is thought of by opposition fans. They may well get both....what a flaming midfield that would be if they did.

Yeah, he did. Pretty bluntly put that to bed. So has Wilson and Adam in the echo. Unless we're playing the ultimate poker face.

Hmm, interesting developments with Bastian. I personally have always loved him as a player, been a little injury prone the last few years, but easily one of the best midfield players over the last 5-10 years. Up there with the Xavi's/Ineista's for influence on the team. They're putting a hell of a lot of money down for him though, I think he's been there number 1 target all along. Then you look at their options. Fellani, Herrara, Carrick, Bastian, Mata, Blind. They may want Morgan 'as well', but I don't see why. Plenty of good options there. I guess the only thing now is if Arsenal will revive their interest. Vidal seems to be their number 1 target in that position. Man City? they seem hell bent on getting Pogba and will probably put all their energy into that. My worst fear is that we get to the last few days of the window, and a big club panics and throws the money. That leave's us no time what so ever to replace the most crucial component in our team. I think we should set some sort of internal deadline - if they haven't gone in by x date, then sit tight and prepare to be with us again this season. Maybe he will realise that he's not as in-demand as he assumed, seems to be on a lot of clubs lists....but not first choice by any means.

If he could avoid playing like he did at St Mary's last season, then that would be great.