Donatello

Note, I think it's too low too, *but* I can't see Liverpool improving from £10m to £20m, let alone £25m. I just don't think they would've bid that low to begin with if they envisaged spending £20m or so. My original comment of "sold" was merely a reflection of what I see the club doing/settling for.

Yeah, maybe he's gone (in spite of all the positive interviews (urgh, why give them?!)). So, with that being assumed, what fee do we accept? £10m is a big NO by the looks of it. £12? One more try, please. £14/15m? Sold.

What the Hell is a mini-Blatter anyway? :S

Yes, I s'pose. So one could argue that club history may be a factor for Clyne at this stage. All that being said, he's cashing his chips in earlier with a move to Liverpool (of the last 5 years).

Yeah, history probably does count...but it's non-existent unless the first three are satisfied, right? I.e. unless Liverpool, A) upped his wages, B) have had recent domestic & cup success, and C) have the potential for future short-term success, I can't imagine it factors in (yet).

In what regard? I'm not disagreeing, but I'd like to know your reasoning. Do players really give a fudge about the history of a club? What's most important to players is, A) wages, B) recent success (last 5-7 seasons), C) Probability of future success (next 1-3 seasons)....what else? Edit: I'm talking in relation to Clyne's move here.

They were 10th when he left. Hardly embarrassing. Not that I would recommend him for Manager Of The Season!

To those opting for Monk (above Mourinho/Koeman), why? Curious, not questioning legitimacy.

The same sort of advice Sherwood is trying to drill into Benteke (albeit he's (Sherwood) on weaker ground). Hopefully it'll work

Considering United have been using Valencia, and Arsenal have been using Bellerin (Debuchy when fit), I'd say he was more than good enough for a top 4 side at present. Oh, wait, you're doing a funny, aren't you? My bad In future, please include a face, so that the galactically stupid (moi) may understand.

Well, you could claim that he assisted away at West Ham for starters. And he did score 2 goals during that same period (first half of the season). For comparison, Bertrand has 2-3 assists (for the season), depending on your source.

In Clyne's defence (something I'll likely come to regret ), he played far deeper over the second half of the season. Whether this was tactical (i.e. Koeman's instruction) or a lack of effort, who can say, but it's probably reflected in this assist tally for this season. That doesn't absolve him of his poor (floated) crossing at times though. Furthermore, any player crossing the ball would've found it hard to assist with second half of the season Pelle shuffling around in the box.

I'd find this one hard to stomach. I'd rather sell we to Man U for a cut-price, such is my disdain for Rogers. I really hope the club offer some resistance here. One thing I will say though, that interview he gave (was published) yesterday...is it possible that it took place *after* this bid? (i.e. he's inclined towards staying even after this 'offer'). Presumably this bid didn't take place last night.

I can imagine that he's on £30,000+ pw already, in voucher form or otherwise.

£25m for both?...that's dreaming. Ashley is a successful businessman (however loathable), not a pushover. A club the size of Newcastle (with their fanbase) aren't going to stomach selling their best player to a club like ours for anything other than a premium. The fans would revolt. Classless he (Ashley) may be, stupid he isn't. (As always, my opinion)

As mentioned earlier (by WC), http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/26/sami-khedira-juventus-real-madrid Apologies if already linked.

Sissoko is a fine idea and all that, but you're looking at a £20m outlay. And a big salary commitment (£50,000+pw - pure speculation, ha) given that he's probably on a fair bit at a club like Newcastle. That fair enough, I guess, But I imagine we'd baulk at the transfer fee.

Note, Liverpool and Spurs aren't leading because they've produced players (save for perhaps Sterling, and even he was brought North with a big fee attached). Point being, this isn't an exclusive examination of academies. It's much easier to pick already ripening fruit.

So....assess him based on his Premier League performances?

Instantly discredited the moment I found out Fellaini wasn't No.1

*How meaningless stats *can* be Ultimately, a lot of those selected stats are subjective. Effective? Duel? I mean, define 'duel'. I sure as Hell don't remember seeing any pistols. At what point does something become a duel? Bah, I'm rambling. I'd very much be interested in seeing a comparison for the stat 'Number of times an opposing player left you on your a-s-s'.

Similarly, thanks for the information/your interpretation/etc

Ta! Feels/Looks a bit bloated (the current top-class DM/CM market).

Thanks, The9. The sort of posts I hoped for when I joined this forum (i.e. informative)

Amen.