2020 Summer Transfer Window

coremiller

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The window in England runs July 27 - Oct 5.

What will transfer fees look like in a time of COVID? How will the sudden shock of decreased revenue affect the market? Will some teams need to sell players to raise cash to fund operations?

Chelsea have already been active buyers, setting up deals for Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner (after Liverpool passed because they could no longer afford the fee).

Barcelona and Juve swapped Arthur and Pjanic in a move that appeared mostly motivated by accounting treatment rather than actual football. Will we see more of this?
 

coremiller

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Also Tammy Abraham, their leading scorer this season. Michi Batshauyi is still on the books there as well.

Does Lampard know you're allowed to buy defenders, not just attackers?
 

tmracht

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I mean they do need to replace Pedro and Willian, but yes there is a whole other part of the pitch as well that Frank tends to ignore.
 

Zomp

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I believe that report is from Bild, who also says it was rejected and the clubs are 20 million apart.

I hope they wrap him up quickly. It just makes too much sense. We’re crying out for a right winger and Sancho ticks all the boxes. Young, pacey, a ton of potential and most importantly not much competition for his signature right now.

For United, my preference list is:

1. Sancho
2. A center back that would compete to start with Lindelof and Maguire
3. A defensive midfielder because Matic can’t be expected to play every game.


Seems like the club is prioritizing the first two but then want a back up striker and an attacking midfielder. I don’t really get the back up striker signing as we have Martial, Rashford, Greenwood and Ighalo who can all play there.
 

Tuff Ghost

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Bournemouth have accepted Manchester City’s bid for Ake.
Bournemouth have accepted a £41 million bid for Nathan Ake from Manchester City, report Peter Rutzler and David Ornstein.

The deal is understood to be £40 million up front rising to £41 million through clauses. There is confidence from both parties that the deal will be concluded quickly over the next few days.

Personal terms are close between Ake and City. He is currently abroad and his medical will happen in due course. Even if Ake gets interest from elsewhere, the Dutch defender has decided to join City and work with Pep Guardiola.
https://theathletic.com/1959808/2020/07/30/transfer-news-tracker-bournemouth-accept-bid-for-nathan-ake-from-man-city/?source=user_shared_article
 

PedroSpecialK

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Ugh, huge upgrade for them over Stones/Otamendi, especially with Fernandinho slowing down. Price is more than reasonable in this climate as well.

I hate it
 

Zososoxfan

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Ugh, huge upgrade for them over Stones/Otamendi, especially with Fernandinho slowing down. Price is more than reasonable in this climate as well.

I hate it
Agreed, I was surprised not to hear more clubs associated with him. Would've loved him at Spurs. The rich getting richer (le sigh).
 

67YAZ

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Twitter buzz is that a lot of clubs were in on Ake, especially since he didn’t have a relegation wage reduction in his contract. And Ake only had eyes for City. Bournemouth used their as leverage well to get £40m.

He is very mobile for a CB and doesn’t make boneheaded mistakes like Stones and Otomendi, but he also rated out as one of the worst CBs in the air last season. Good get for City, but not a cure-all.
 

Zososoxfan

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Twitter buzz is that a lot of clubs were in on Ake, especially since he didn’t have a relegation wage reduction in his contract. And Ake only had eyes for City. Bournemouth used their as leverage well to get £40m.

He is very mobile for a CB and doesn’t make boneheaded mistakes like Stones and Otomendi, but he also rated out as one of the worst CBs in the air last season. Good get for City, but not a cure-all.
I looked up his height and at 5'11'' (180 cm), he is pretty dang short for a CB! But, at major clubs including Pep's Barca tenure, there's usually a ball-playing CB (Pique) and a destroyer (Puyol, Masch). So if he's going to be a ball-playing CB, it's probably OK, but as you point out I wouldn't pair him with Stones. It goes without saying he shouldn't be paired with Ota, but that's because Ota doesn't belong in a MANC side and really hasn't for at least a season.
 

Zososoxfan

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Some interesting Spurs and Spurs-related business going on.

  • Super Jan signs for Roma. Very happy that he's going to a club where I think he'll be used in a league where his skillset can be effective, and to a club that I like.
  • Parrott to go out on loan to IM FOOKIN MILLWALL.
  • AC Milan in negotiations with Serge (he's rly good guys, u should totes buy him).
  • Inter interested in Tanguy.
  • Rose making noise that he wants to play for Spurs this season. I'd take him back in a cocaine heartbeat.
 

67YAZ

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Looks like Sancho to United is gaining steam today.
Rumors of a £98m fee paid over 3 years plus up to £20m in add ons. He’s got the talent to make that look like a good deal, but shoring up the defense might also help.
 

Zomp

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Our defensive problems are a little overblown. We were third in goals allowed last year. One behind City and three behind Liverpool. A centerback is certainly needed for depth though and De Gea will need to be replaced but if we could ever find a taker for him, the replacement is waiting in the wings.

the Sancho deal, if it goes down, does not prevent the team from financially acquiring others. As you said, the fee seems reasonable for a 20 year old that provided 20 goals AND assists last season.
 

The Raccoon

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the Sancho deal, if it goes down, does not prevent the team from financially acquiring others. As you said, the fee seems reasonable for a 20 year old that provided 20 goals AND assists last season.
As a BVB-Fan I have seen basicly every minute he played in the last 2 years - he is insanely talented and the asking price would probably be quiet a bit higher if not for Covid etc.
It's not only the raw number of scoring points, but moreso the fact that everybody including the opponent knew that he was the focal point on our offense and he still produced.
And he still has a lot to grow into at his age.
Having followed this club for the last 25+ years I have seen a lot of players develop into near superstar status, especially during the last 10 years. Götze (when he left, not the one that returned) I may rate a bit higher, but Jadon is already on a higher level than Pulisic, Gündogan, Kagawa etc when they left for the PL. Well, there is also Dembele, whose talent may have been even bigger, but he is a different case with his off the field issues...
 

Zomp

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Another important item for United to deal with is close to being done. Alexis Sanchez’s loan will be made permanent by Inter. No transfer fee to be had but United will be done paying him.
 

SocrManiac

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  • Rose making noise that he wants to play for Spurs this season. I'd take him back in a cocaine heartbeat.
I’m confused. You want Aurier gone, but want the shittier, older version of him back? Rose has been awful for years- his only remaining skill is shithousery. He’s slow, he’s card-prone, and he’s utterly blind to his set piece marks. I don’t understand any life for him outside of nostalgia.
 

Tangled Up In Red

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  • Super Jan signs for Roma. Very happy that he's going to a club where I think he'll be used in a league where his skillset can be effective, and to a club that I like.
I agree that it's a great fit, but it's not past rumor stage yet, is it?
 

67YAZ

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Another important item for United to deal with is close to being done. Alexis Sanchez’s loan will be made permanent by Inter. No transfer fee to be had but United will be done paying him.
That’s good because the twitters are suggesting Sancho is getting £300k a week. The premium for English players is wild.

Edit: the actually reliable Guardian pegs the salary at £250k/week. This will make Sancho their third highest paid - DeGea at £375k, Pogba at £290k, Martial & Sancho at £250k, Rashford at £200k.
 
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Zososoxfan

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I’m confused. You want Aurier gone, but want the shittier, older version of him back? Rose has been awful for years- his only remaining skill is shithousery. He’s slow, he’s card-prone, and he’s utterly blind to his set piece marks. I don’t understand any life for him outside of nostalgia.
First and foremost, Rose is a LB and Serge is a RB. Second, I don't consider your assessment of Rose vs. Aurier to be accurate. Rose is a much better defender and a smarter player IMO. Even if he's lost his pace, if Mou's plan is to keep the FBs home, I'd prefer Rose over Aurier. But even then it's more about Rose vs. Davies and I'd still take that swap or at least want to have that option. If selling Rose is worth 10M, I'd probably wish him well, but if he's not going to net Spurs that much and Mou isn't going to play Sess at LB, then I'd rather see him on the squad.
 

Vinho Tinto

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Iker Casillas has officially retired. He was still capable of playing at a high level, until he had a heart attack in May 2019. He recovered, returned to training, and was listed on Porto’s roster for last season; but he never made another appearance.
 

Zososoxfan

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Saw a report (not sure how reliable) that Barca are linked to LCFC CB Soyuncu for $40M. Reddit's response was "but look at Maguire's price, no way LCFC would let him go for that little", but I think that undersells Maguire's abilities, his establishes period of excellence, value as a homegrown English player, and doesn't apply the post-COVID discount appropriately.

Finances aside, this would be a brilliant move for Barca. They need an immediate influx of tested young talent all over the pitch, and Soyuncu is a helluva player. That being said, this smells of Barto-desperation. Likely a trial balloon to get Soyuncu excited enough to go to LCFC, after which Barca can say we will offer you $40M plus our still-pretty-good "scrubs" like Rakitic, Semedo, Vidal, etc.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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Saw a report (not sure how reliable) that Barca are linked to LCFC CB Soyuncu for $40M. Reddit's response was "but look at Maguire's price, no way LCFC would let him go for that little", but I think that undersells Maguire's abilities, his establishes period of excellence, value as a homegrown English player, and doesn't apply the post-COVID discount appropriately.

Finances aside, this would be a brilliant move for Barca. They need an immediate influx of tested young talent all over the pitch, and Soyuncu is a helluva player. That being said, this smells of Barto-desperation. Likely a trial balloon to get Soyuncu excited enough to go to LCFC, after which Barca can say we will offer you $40M plus our still-pretty-good "scrubs" like Rakitic, Semedo, Vidal, etc.
Barca seems destined to buy Eric Garcia from City, who Pep just said today doesn't want to sign a new contract and clearly wants to play elsewhere (gee, I wonder where....). Would they really buy two new CBs this window? I guess Soyuncu is probably much readier to step in and start immediately.
 

dirtynine

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Rumors have defender Lewis Dunk, Brighton’s captain and team player of the year, heading to Chelsea. No hard feelings if so, he’s earned it. Ben White is supposedly coming back from Leeds on loan and could slot in.
 

Zososoxfan

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Barca seems destined to buy Eric Garcia from City, who Pep just said today doesn't want to sign a new contract and clearly wants to play elsewhere (gee, I wonder where....). Would they really buy two new CBs this window? I guess Soyuncu is probably much readier to step in and start immediately.
It's not that crazy, but the reality is likely that Barca are after one of the two and are using this for negotiating leverage.

I like Pique more than most, but even I'd say gambling on him staying healthy and consistent isn't a great idea. Lenglet is very strong and can be in the XI, or he can be part of a 3/4 man rotation. Araujo is promising, but if they don't trust him in a starting role they should be able to loan him out for a nice fee. Todibo is another talented young CB like Araujo, but it's likely that Barca sell on him if possible just because they need cash. Big Sam was one of my favorite players in 16-18, but the dude absolutely wrecked his body playing in WC 2018. He probably should go elsewhere and I will always be a fan of his.
 

Stanley Steamer

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Rumors have defender Lewis Dunk, Brighton’s captain and team player of the year, heading to Chelsea. No hard feelings if so, he’s earned it. Ben White is supposedly coming back from Leeds on loan and could slot in.
Yes, I'm curious to see how this plays out. White was probably Leeds best player this year, and is their top priority to retain, but it's out of their control. Brighton did just get Veltman from Ajax, but I don't know their depth chart otherwise. There are so many variables in these things- player's wishes, agents, contracts, team finances, not to mention the accuracy of the rumors- that I'm not going to spend the next 30 plus days sweating it.
But Ben White = good young player.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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BvB and United are now in a serious standoff over Sancho.

Zorc has said stuff like this before and then backtracked so I wouldn't assume this is dead. But he is basically tying his hands to the wheel here in this game of chicken and I think it will be very hard for him to sell Sancho at this point for less than his original asking price of 120m euros.

If I had to guess, this will be like the Harry Maguire deal where United will bluster for a while then eventually pay the asking price.

View: https://twitter.com/samuelluckhurst/status/1292837351371268096
 

The Raccoon

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BvB and United are now in a serious standoff over Sancho.

Zorc has said stuff like this before and then backtracked so I wouldn't assume this is dead. But he is basically tying his hands to the wheel here in this game of chicken and I think it will be very hard for him to sell Sancho at this point for less than his original asking price of 120m euros.

If I had to guess, this will be like the Harry Maguire deal where United will bluster for a while then eventually pay the asking price.

View: https://twitter.com/samuelluckhurst/status/1292837351371268096
It was also anounced today, that JS contract had already been extended till 2023 (including a salary raise) last year, which really puts BVB in no pressure at all to let him go this summer.
I can't see the transfer happening now other than Sancho pulling a "Dembele" in the next weeks (boycotting training, not answering to club officials etc.)
BVB appearantly kept their word to Sancho that they would engage in transfer negotiations, but now that United missed todays deadline, I expect Zorc to stand by his word and keep Jadon in black'n'yellow for another season.
 

OCST

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Rumors have defender Lewis Dunk, Brighton’s captain and team player of the year, heading to Chelsea. No hard feelings if so, he’s earned it. Ben White is supposedly coming back from Leeds on loan and could slot in.
Dunk is a monster.

I question, though, whether he'll be effective at a club with more attacking talent, that keeps the ball and doesn't hunker down.

Everton have had an issue with Michael Keane since he arrived from Burnley - similar player, similar selling club. Keane excels in the air, but he's slow and turns like a battleship. He's been badly exposed when Everton play a high line. He just can't get back in time when a pacy attacker splits the defense.

Dunk may do better since he's a better athlete and has more of a mean streak than Keane (although to be fair, Keane, whose form is notoriously up and down, was arguably Everton's best player after the restart). And, every side has a need for that big unit in the box. Still, Dunk is the kind of guy who may do better at a mid-table side with a more cautious style of play than at a top club.
 

67YAZ

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Dunk is a monster.

I question, though, whether he'll be effective at a club with more attacking talent, that keeps the ball and doesn't hunker down.

Everton have had an issue with Michael Keane since he arrived from Burnley - similar player, similar selling club. Keane excels in the air, but he's slow and turns like a battleship. He's been badly exposed when Everton play a high line. He just can't get back in time when a pacy attacker splits the defense.

Dunk may do better since he's a better athlete and has more of a mean streak than Keane (although to be fair, Keane, whose form is notoriously up and down, was arguably Everton's best player after the restart). And, every side has a need for that big unit in the box. Still, Dunk is the kind of guy who may do better at a mid-table side with a more cautious style of play than at a top club.
In yesterday’s Analyzing Anfield newsletter, they called out Keane for exactly the same reason - he was fantastic hunkering down deep for Burnley, but he’s out of his depth keeping a high line 50yds from goal. The lesson being, beware the guy who looks great in one system but hasn’t actually ever played in the style of his new manager. Liverpool’s Tsimikas move might be a marginal improvement it the squad & has no guarantee of success coming from Greece, but he’s been playing a lot like a Robertson already.
 

67YAZ

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Donuts to dollars, some mid-table EPL side has been asking after Winks with what Levy considers a low ball offer, so he decided to amp up the pressure to see what happens.
 

Tangled Up In Red

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He's homegrown and a decent squad player. There is value there.

edit: I should have caveat'ed that there is value, but not 40m in value. That's crazy.
 
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Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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If Daniel Levy can get 40m for Winks in this environment, he is truly a God of the transfer market.

I think what we're seeing so far is that there is very little money in the market, especially outside of clubs with uber wealthy owners who are willing to spend their own money to cover Covid-19 related losses (ie, City and Chelsea). Everybody wants players on frees, to sell before they buy, to make swap deals, or to buy players with very backloaded payment structures. Those clubs that are willing to buy players for significant sums are cognizant that other clubs are in financial trouble, and therefore willing to wait it out to see if bargain basement deals emerge or if clubs implode and hold fire sales (hola Valencia).
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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File this in the fun to talk about, but not believing it yet category. This guy has supposedly gotten some other stories right (apparently broke the Neymar to PSG interest long ago, although that makes a bit more sense as he is a Brazilian journalist working in Catalonia).

Translation: Messi wants to leave Barcelona. Not in 2021, now.

I'm not sure who could really buy him in this environment other than maybe City or PSG.

View: https://twitter.com/marcelobechler/status/1295058777666981893
 

DJnVa

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If that happens it's Man City or PSG and that's about it right?

Unless he wants to follow Ronaldo to Italy...
 

67YAZ

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If that happens it's Man City or PSG and that's about it right?

Unless he wants to follow Ronaldo to Italy...
Italy is doubtful. Juve is the richest Italian club with the strongest revenue streams, and they had to work furiously and creatively with sponsors and partners to get the Ronaldo deal done. I don’t think there’s any other Serie A club that put together enough cash up front and rework their sponsorships to juice the revenue to support Messi’s salary.

PSG seems very possible. Neymar signed a separate €20m “2022 World Cup” spokesperson deal when he moved to PSG, a very shady FFP workaround. With so much cash on hand and sketchy avenues through which to provide it - plus Messi’s well known affection for playing with Neymar - has to make them the favorite.

Just image a Neymar-Mbappé-Messi attack.
 
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Dummy Hoy

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I think Leo is probably the GOAT, but he needs to find the right fit. He's not going to be at his best in a high-tempo pressing team.

I'm curious to see how this plays out...if he really wants to win the European Cup, his best bet may be not worrying about the salary and finding the best fit.