DuncanRG

If De Vrij doesn't end up at Lazio for whatever reason, I can't imagine why he'd come to us ahead of United. It's not like he'd be on the bench there.

This article confirms that Sky Sports will be showing all four opening fixtures from last season's top four, which includes our game at Anfield: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/10964707/Premier-League-on-TV-Louis-van-Gaals-Manchester-United-to-feature-on-BT-on-opening-weekend.html

Where?

I think they will, or did. They'll get over it quickly but I can imagine lines like 'no business at Southampton' left a bit of a sour taste. I'd feel let down if my team mate went to the press like that.

He'll play.

Cracking signing for them if it goes through - a central threat to add to their wide men.

There's no point drawing up a contract as a gesture, but it might be that a pay rise is what it takes to keep him here. Fair enough if you ask me - and if he signs it, then that release presents an opportunity for him to say the right things.

I think there is a guarantee. You don't get to Premier League level if you don't love it.

It's probably his brother

Haven't spotted him in any photos but if he's going on the trip that's a start/not a strike

Bloody hell mate.

This isn't FIFA 10.

The fact that it's part of a slightly ludicrous story about a £135m 'spending spree' makes me feel a bit better. Especially funny is the line that Rodgers feels Jay Rodriguez is the perfect replacement for Suarez.

Haha yup, I think this is about right.

It's better than 'another week in the sun!' At least he's coming back (by the looks)

Mail Online reporting that the fee is £8m, or €10m. Was that not the asking price we were refusing to meet?

Thanks Monk, terrific news on Cork - though I hope Fonte's contract is still to follow. £6.2m is well below Cardiff's asking price for Marshall but we're right to start low.

Love that they put one outside Fratton Park. They had a couple in Winchester as well.

It would be quite incredible if we signed anyone in or around the Dutch first XI, Vlaar aside.

I suppose Osvaldo and Honda are similar in some ways. They're both quality players who were poor in their short spells at new clubs. The difference is that Milan will be loaning him out to see if he can improve whereas we'd only loan Osvaldo if we can't get a more attractive offer from a permanent buyer. I'd rather get rid of Osvaldo permanently but Honda is a great player who would provide a bit more depth in the final third while Rodriguez is out.

Well that's ********, isn't it

Oh yeah, I don't mean that if he'd stayed we would or should have made him captain, just that it would have been good to see it at some point during his time with us.

Yeah, you're not wrong. I was only talking about wanting to leave to play at the highest possible level, rather than the way Adam himself went about it the other week.

I'm surprised we're planning/open to playing with a poacher (Hernandez), but if we want one we could and should buy someone much better than Billy Sharp. I mean, he's been training with quality players here when he hasn't been on loan, and he still doesn't get near the matchday squad.

Do they still want £12m for him or whatever it was?