2018 Summer Transfer Extravaganza

Zomp

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It's a world cup year so expect a lot of transfers to happen before the tournament (if clubs are worried about a player's value rising) and after the tournament.

Liverpool had made a nice swift move for Fabinho to shore up their midfield.

Big names that are unlikely but possibly moving: Ronaldo, Neymar, Bale

Names that will likely move: Fekir, Milinkovic-Savic, Lichsteiner, Sokratis,


United are rumored to be close to an agreement with Shaktar Donetsk for midfielder Fred. I haven't seen much but the 25 year old Brazillian will hopefully be Kante with better passing.
 

Dummy Hoy

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It's a world cup year so expect a lot of transfers to happen before the tournament (if clubs are worried about a player's value rising) and after the tournament.

Liverpool had made a nice swift move for Fabinho to shore up their midfield.

Big names that are unlikely but possibly moving: Ronaldo, Neymar, Bale

Names that will likely move: Fekir, Milinkovic-Savic, Lichsteiner, Sokratis,


United are rumored to be close to an agreement with Shaktar Donetsk for midfielder Fred. I haven't seen much but the 25 year old Brazillian will hopefully be Kante with better passing.
So A) yeah, hilarious, and B) The fact that there's another Fred is news to me.
 

Vinho Tinto

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You’d think they would add an inho like they did for the two Ronaldos.

Rui Patricio is moving to Napoli for 18 million. 2nd player to leave Sporting after their president aired out the team after their Europa League exit.
 

ehaz

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I’d add Lemar to the “likely to move” list. I don’t see Monaco hanging on to him especially after he tried like hell to leave the last two windows. They’ll wait till after the World Cup and then Arsenal will spend an incomprehensible fee.

There’s some talk about Willian leaving Chelsea as well.

One name to keep an eye out for is Matthijs de Ligt. Someone is going to pay Ajax an insane amount for this kid. He could be the a generational talent at CB. I think he’ll be in plenty of rumors to go to a team like Spurs/BVB/Liverpool/Manchesters/etc only to make an even bigger leap to Barca.
 

Zomp

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Fred is being rumored to be announced today.

Also being rumored is the signing of Porto's right back Diogo Dalot. He was a back up last year and was expected to take over for Ricardo Pereira. All Porto fans that have come over to write about him in the reddevils subreddit say they're disappointed if he leaves because he's very promising. I do think Valencia has another season or two in him so if this is a buy with an eye on the future it could be a good move. I wonder if resident Portuguese expert Linguica and Cacoila eater @Vinho Tinto has an opinion?
 

Zomp

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In all seriousness from what I've seen his game is very similar to Ander Herrerra. Why Jose thinks he'd be a better fit I don't know, but I do think this is a sign that we'll play more of a 4-3-3 next year. If Fellaini leaves the rumors are another midfielder would come in.
 

Vinho Tinto

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Fred is being rumored to be announced today.

Also being rumored is the signing of Porto's right back Diogo Dalot. He was a back up last year and was expected to take over for Ricardo Pereira. All Porto fans that have come over to write about him in the reddevils subreddit say they're disappointed if he leaves because he's very promising. I do think Valencia has another season or two in him so if this is a buy with an eye on the future it could be a good move. I wonder if resident Portuguese expert Linguica and Cacoila eater @Vinho Tinto has an opinion?
I’m more of a prosciutto man.

I remember his name from last summer. Some people thought that he had a shot to win the job to replace Maxi Pereira. Instead it went to the older and more experienced Ricardo Pereira. I haven’t seen him much. He’s mostly played for their B team in the second division, but he’s always been featured for the Portuguese youth national teams at each age level. His rep is that he’s good on both of ends of the field and very good on the ball. Besides YouTube video, you can see him play vs Liverpool in their return leg. But he played on the left since they started Maxi.
 

Cellar-Door

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Small deal, but West Ham have taken on Ryan Fredricks from Fulham. Fills a need for a pacey right back that has been a problem for years. Also happens to be homegrown which is nice. I think of him as the English DeAndre Yedlin, world class speed, very good going forward, intermittently dodgy in defense.
 

Senator Donut

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Small deal, but West Ham have taken on Ryan Fredricks from Fulham. Fills a need for a pacey right back that has been a problem for years. Also happens to be homegrown which is nice. I think of him as the English DeAndre Yedlin, world class speed, very good going forward, intermittently dodgy in defense.
…and with better passing
 

Zomp

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Dalot is official for United.

I'd be shocked if we signed anyone else before the World Cup begins, but I do think two more players will be brought in.
 

Schnerres

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Thomas Delaney(26) from Werder to Dortmund.

-went from FC Copenhagen to Werder in January 17 for 2mil.€
-his dream was the Premier League
-when Dortmund was calling, he didn´t have to think about it: Top10 team, Top2 in the Bundesliga, the best arena, so he went for it
-transfer sum: 20mil.€

--> nice business for Werder
 

Titans Bastard

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Thomas Delaney(26) from Werder to Dortmund.

-went from FC Copenhagen to Werder in January 17 for 2mil.€
-his dream was the Premier League
-when Dortmund was calling, he didn´t have to think about it: Top10 team, Top2 in the Bundesliga, the best arena, so he went for it
-transfer sum: 20mil.€

--> nice business for Werder
I don't think it's well-known, but Delaney is a Danish-American dual national. Always wanted to play for Denmark, though, which makes sense.
 

PedroSpecialK

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Fekir appears done



Lots of smoke around Xherdan Shaqiri who doesn’t quite strike me as a Klopp player but, incredibly, I’ve been wrong before
 

swiftaw

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Shaqiri to me is like Coutinho light, capable of brilliance but drifts out of games.
 

Mighty Joe Young

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Shaqiri to me is like Coutinho light, capable of brilliance but drifts out of games.
I mean, at 12m he’s an incredible bargain. But .. it means there’s no room in the first team for the likes of Wilson or Brewster or Woodburn - and one of Ings/Solanke will be gone. Since he’s a backup at best I’d prefer to promote the youngin’s
 

swiftaw

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The good news is under 21s don't count for the cap of 25 players in the EPL so Shaqiri wouldn't be stealing their spot, just their minutes probably. One regret last season was the lack of Woodburn development. I would like to see Woodburn, Brewster (if he stays) and Wilson get some game time.

I think Ings stays as a backup and Solanke ends up on loan somewhere. (Rangers?)
 

bosox4283

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Any speculation on the manager that Real Madrid will sign? The earliest indicators were that Real Madrid wanted Pochettino of Tottenham, but he just signed a contract extension and Levy won't want to negotiate.

I have no idea whom they'll sign and can't even begin to guess.
 

swiftaw

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Any speculation on the manager that Real Madrid will sign? The earliest indicators were that Real Madrid wanted Pochettino of Tottenham, but he just signed a contract extension and Levy won't want to negotiate.

I have no idea whom they'll sign and can't even begin to guess.
The rumor I keep hearing is Guti.
 

Vinho Tinto

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Lopetegui named coach of Real Madrid. Based on what I saw from his time at Porto, this is a terrible decision. He couldn’t handle the pressure and mind gimes tied to that job, but he’s now going to take the most pressurized job in sports.
 

Zomp

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I do wonder what it means for Bale. I thought for sure he was leaving because Zidane was there, then Zidane resigned and I figured he'd stay because who wouldn't want to have Gareth Bale in their starting 11? Then Real Madrid hires the one coach who has criticized him in the past and loves Isco like a son.
 

teddykgb

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Where does he go though? PSG are supposedly under duress of sanction. I can’t see City involved or Barca. Doubt any of the Italian clubs can afford him. Bayern probably could afford to pay for him. English teams make the most sense. United probably would have to do something with Pogba, maybe that’s an option. I can’t imagine Spurs could afford to buy him back. Normally I’d say he’s tailor made for Chelsea but Roman can’t enter the country and if they’re really going after Sarri does he even fit? Also Spurs fans would lose their minds. Liverpool have spent their Coutinho money twice now. Seems like he’s a fantastic player with few legitimate options.

Edit: part ex player deals are really rare in football but I wonder if PSG could sell Neymar where it seems he wants to go and soften the blow with Bale
 

slamminsammya

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I mean, at 12m he’s an incredible bargain. But .. it means there’s no room in the first team for the likes of Wilson or Brewster or Woodburn - and one of Ings/Solanke will be gone. Since he’s a backup at best I’d prefer to promote the youngin’s
Isnt it hard to say if its a bargain without knowing his wages?
 

bosox4283

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Lopetegui named coach of Real Madrid. Based on what I saw from his time at Porto, this is a terrible decision. He couldn’t handle the pressure and mind gimes tied to that job, but he’s now going to take the most pressurized job in sports.
Thanks for this insight.

It seems to me that Real Madrid is hoping/trusting that Lopetegui's relationship with national team players will enable him to manage the players and coach the team. There are six Real Madrid players on the national squad: Carvajal, Nacho, Ramos, Lucas Vazquez, Marco Asensio, and Isco.
 

Zomp

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Where does he go though? PSG are supposedly under duress of sanction. I can’t see City involved or Barca. Doubt any of the Italian clubs can afford him. Bayern probably could afford to pay for him. English teams make the most sense. United probably would have to do something with Pogba, maybe that’s an option. I can’t imagine Spurs could afford to buy him back. Normally I’d say he’s tailor made for Chelsea but Roman can’t enter the country and if they’re really going after Sarri does he even fit? Also Spurs fans would lose their minds. Liverpool have spent their Coutinho money twice now. Seems like he’s a fantastic player with few legitimate options.

Edit: part ex player deals are really rare in football but I wonder if PSG could sell Neymar where it seems he wants to go and soften the blow with Bale
True. I don't know to be honest. Bayern could afford to pay him but I don't think they'd pay his transfer fee (would be around 100 million no?). He'd be a perfect Robben replacement too. United have always wanted him and I know Jose loves him but I'm not sure how good the relationship with Real is after the De Gea transfer fell through.

PSG makes sense but it would make FFP look like a bigger joke than it is.
 

bosox4283

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It's being reported that Atletico has signed Thomas Lemar from Monaco, perhaps winning the bid over Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea.

Does anyone have any thoughts on Lemar?

If the reports are true, then this move suggests that Griezmann will stay in Madrid.
 

swiftaw

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Lemar was highly touted last summer, with lots of rumors about a high priced transfer somewhere, but he had a pretty mediocre season, and thus the relative lack of internet this summer.
 

Vinho Tinto

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Thanks for this insight.

It seems to me that Real Madrid is hoping/trusting that Lopetegui's relationship with national team players will enable him to manage the players and coach the team. There are six Real Madrid players on the national squad: Carvajal, Nacho, Ramos, Lucas Vazquez, Marco Asensio, and Isco.
One thing that got me thinking is this going to have an effect on the team Spanish dynamic? These Real and Barca players have had a history of not being able to separate their club duties with the international team. It probably helps a that Xavi is no longer on the team and Iniesta is. Still worth watching if things get a little weird with Barca players now having to work with their rival's manager. This is a situation they did not sign up for.
 

wonderland

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You’d think they would add an inho like they did for the two Ronaldos.

Rui Patricio is moving to Napoli for 18 million. 2nd player to leave Sporting after their president aired out the team after their Europa League exit.
What happened here? I see he is now signed for the Wolves.
 

Cellar-Door

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West Ham signed the underrated Fabianski from Swans and Toulouse's 21 year old captain Issa Diop. Shocking competence in this window
 

OCST

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I like Fabisnski.

Seems like a snoozy window so far. WC is slowing it down I’m sure.
 

Cellar-Door

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In more stories of shocking West Ham competence (and the owners actually maybe spending money):
West Ham and Napoli have both activated Jean Seri's release clause.

Will be interesting to see if he holds out waiting for Chelsea to get a manager and make a bid or picks an offer on the table.
 

67YAZ

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Oh, Sarri will not want to lose a key target to his former employer. Wonder if Seri is still holding out hope for that Barca bid to come in.

Having a renowned manager like Pelligrini is immense when recruiting. Will be intriguing to see how he integrates all this talent.
 

teddykgb

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I would be fascinated to see how Chelsea plans to transition to Sarris system. There may not be a “top” side in all of Europe with a worse existing roster for the change. They can probably make the back line work but they’re facing huge decisions in midfield and attack

Edit: I hope for Chelsea’s sake the plan is youth. Their youth system has been consistently top tier but they have struggled to integrate them into the first team. Maybe Barkley and Drinkwater fit a bit more, if you squint you could almost see Barkley filling Hamsiks role
 

bosox4283

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The Spanish press is all over the Ronaldo to Juventus rumors. Are people thinking this move is going to happen?
 

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The Spanish press is all over the Ronaldo to Juventus rumors. Are people thinking this move is going to happen?
Reports in Italy are confirming this as well. Juventus needed to get another sponsor on board in order to pay CR7’S exhorbitant salary demands.

I think it’s going to happen. The knock on effects are going to be fascinating. Hazard to Real? Mbappe to Real? Courtois ?
 

bosox4283

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Reports in Italy are confirming this as well. Juventus needed to get another sponsor on board in order to pay CR7’S exhorbitant salary demands.

I think it’s going to happen. The knock on effects are going to be fascinating. Hazard to Real? Mbappe to Real? Courtois ?
Courtois, I think, has two kids with a Spanish woman, so I think he has personal reasons to try to get back to Madrid.

Zidane may have been able to convince Mbappe to leave Paris for Madrid, but I think Zidane's departure pretty much shuts the door on this move.
 

PedroSpecialK

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Buffon to PSG is official - interested to see if Trapp becomes available for Liverpool with Areola still at PSG as well
 

teddykgb

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I don't understand Buffon to PSG at all. Didn't he say he was retiring? Was Juve really forcing him out? Really bizarre for him to land in Paris at this stage of his career
 

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I am a Buffon fanboy. I have an embarrassing number of his shirts and count him as one of my heroes, given that he was playing during my formative years.

I wish to hell he just retired. He's not getting his CL medal with PSG. There's nothing to be gained. He was not the best keeper at Juventus last year, though he was good enough for what they accomplished (and Szczesny wasn't the different to the final). I do not want to see him enter the Casillas era of his career where we see him get the respect he's earned while watching the ball go just out of last year's reach.

Buffon's organizational skills made up for his declining athletic ability up to the 2016-2017 campaign. He's reached the tipping point with that. He'll probably be fine domestically, but he's not good enough on the Euro stage anymore.

I love him as many on this board love Brady and Ortiz. I just wish he could have stepped aside like Ortiz did.
 

Senator Donut

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Maybe League Un is the new MLS?
It actually reminds me a lot of PSG’s Beckham signing after his contract with the Galaxy had expired. The age curve for goalkeepers is obviously not as steep, but it seems like he’s there to sell shirts and wear the arm band just as much as his ability on the field. If he doesn’t produce there’s wasn’t much lost anyway.