Levy's Lament: The 2019 Summer Transfer Window Thread

OCST

Sunny von Bulow
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MLS clubs have been steadily turning their focus in the transfer market towards Latin America over a number of years. It's not really just Argentina, there are young guys coming from places like Uruguay, Ecuador, and Venezuela as well. Inter Miami just signed Venezuela's U20 captain today.

There's a belief that you get better value there than you do shopping in Europe, and many of the players signed are young enough to potentially be attractive transfer targets for European and Mexican clubs. In some cases, it seems like MLS clubs are overpaying a bit, but I think they're learning.

All this stuff is why it's painfully eye-rolling when people call MLS a "retirement league".
...and to prove your point...

https://www.espn.com/soccer/soccer-transfers/story/3913621/rooney-to-leave-dc-united-for-player-coach-role
Wayne Rooney has agreed a deal to leave Major League Soccer side D.C. United and take up a role as a player-coach at English second-tier club Derby County in January.

The former Manchester United forward moved to MLS from Everton in June 2018 and has scored 25 goals in 45 appearances.
Chatter is that Mrs. Rooney missed England; and also that Mrs. Rooney was worried that Wayne hadn't been behaving himself in the States, with stuff like this

https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/06/us/wayne-rooney-arrest-intoxication/index.html
But still - MLS is a little too tough to be a rocking-chair league now.
 

Titans Bastard

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MLS is obviously not a top-tier league, so aging stars still do very well here. But there just aren't that many aging stars, and the league's clubs have generally done a better job at selecting those who are up for the unique challenges of MLS. Many European players are really soft when it comes to travel and heat — literally every single domestic game ever played in England would count as a "local derby" for about half of MLS. (Atlanta signed a guy from Watford's reserves and I chuckled when I saw him complaining about the heat...in April). Players who left their competitive edge in Europe in order to coast have tended to struggle, although I think MLS clubs have done a much better job doing their homework on that front in recent years.

In any case, these days most teams are trying to sign more young players from Latin America, have more young players come through their academy, or both.

Big names will continue to roll through. The super-reliable Steve Goff has confirmed that DCU has met with Ozil's and Balotelli's camps. I'd be surprised if Miami doesn't get a big name, which shouldn't be too hard of a sell: Miami is a major draw for the European glamor set.
 

OCST

Sunny von Bulow
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Very happy with Everton business so far but I die a little when we’re linked with Arsenal or Utd flotsam
 

SocrManiac

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Is it just me or is this silly season even sillier than most? I feel like I've read more unsubstantiated nonsense this year than ever before.
 

Rusty Gate

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Iwobi would sit next to Walcott. They're just taking up roster spots that should go to younger guys with potential.
 

Tuff Ghost

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Arsenal fans may be split on Iwobi, but I like him. His finishing could use some improvement, but he is still young and shows signs of improving a little each year. He did have 6 goals, 9 assists last year, too.

I think Arsenal are listening to this not because they want to give up on Iwobi, but because he plays in an area where they have sufficient depth and actually may be attractive to other clubs. (No one is knocking down the door for Mkhitaryan, unfortunately.) If they can use some money from Iwobi to help bolster the defense, that would be a nice allocation of resources.

I am guessing they'll play a 4-2-3-1 frequently this year. Lacazette will be up front, Aubameyang/Pepe wide, and then Ozil/Ceballos in the middle (maybe even some Willock, whom I really like).

Iwobi is not going to start ahead of Aubameyang and Pepe, then they have Nelson/Mkhitaryan/Saka around as other options, so Iwobi is a nice guy to have, but when desperate for defense, I can see why they'd do a transfer in the 40 million range.

There are some interesting comparisons of Zaha and Iwobi out there. Now I like Zaha better, but some 18/19 numbers are interesting to see:

Zaha: goal or assist every 202.7 minutes of EPL
Iwobi: goal or assist every 219.6 minutes of EPL
Zaha: creates 1.6 chances per 90
Iwobi: creates 1.8 chances per 90
Zaha: 3.4 dribbles per 90 (50.7%)
Iwobi: 2.1 dribbles per 90 (53.8%)
 

Rusty Gate

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Interesting. Maybe we're underrating Iwobi based on what we read in the Arsenal thread.
 

DJnVa

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Multiple twitter accounts saying Giovanni Lo Celso to Spurs deal has been completed as Spurs final offer of 60 million was accepted. Awaiting more confirmation.
 

coremiller

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Multiple twitter accounts saying Giovanni Lo Celso to Spurs deal has been completed as Spurs final offer of 60 million was accepted. Awaiting more confirmation.
This deal has been on and off so many times already that I'm taking nothing for granted until we see Lo Celso wearing a Spurs jersey.
 

DJnVa

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This deal has been on and off so many times already that I'm taking nothing for granted until we see Lo Celso wearing a Spurs jersey.
Granted---but this seems a little more like "Deal has been agreed to" as opposed to "Spurs confident latest bid will entice...."

Betis plays tonight and word is GLC is not going to play.
 

Zososoxfan

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Granted---but this seems a little more like "Deal has been agreed to" as opposed to "Spurs confident latest bid will entice...."

Betis plays tonight and word is GLC is not going to play.
Agreed. With the deadline now within sight and the amount looking correct, this one finally feels like fire and not just smoke.

Lukaku to Inter for​
€65M + 10-12 now looking legit.


 

DJnVa

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Some other Spurs related stuff floating around:

--Eriksen wants La Liga, not ManU
--Dybala wants to double his wages to order to come to Spurs
--Spurs pulled offer for Coutinho, who doesn't want to go out on loan, but wouldn't mind a transfer
--Sessegnon progressing
--Aurier may be moving

We shall see.
 

candylandriots

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Arsenal fans may be split on Iwobi, but I like him. His finishing could use some improvement, but he is still young and shows signs of improving a little each year. He did have 6 goals, 9 assists last year, too.

I think Arsenal are listening to this not because they want to give up on Iwobi, but because he plays in an area where they have sufficient depth and actually may be attractive to other clubs. (No one is knocking down the door for Mkhitaryan, unfortunately.) If they can use some money from Iwobi to help bolster the defense, that would be a nice allocation of resources.

I am guessing they'll play a 4-2-3-1 frequently this year. Lacazette will be up front, Aubameyang/Pepe wide, and then Ozil/Ceballos in the middle (maybe even some Willock, whom I really like).

Iwobi is not going to start ahead of Aubameyang and Pepe, then they have Nelson/Mkhitaryan/Saka around as other options, so Iwobi is a nice guy to have, but when desperate for defense, I can see why they'd do a transfer in the 40 million range.

There are some interesting comparisons of Zaha and Iwobi out there. Now I like Zaha better, but some 18/19 numbers are interesting to see:

Zaha: goal or assist every 202.7 minutes of EPL
Iwobi: goal or assist every 219.6 minutes of EPL
Zaha: creates 1.6 chances per 90
Iwobi: creates 1.8 chances per 90
Zaha: 3.4 dribbles per 90 (50.7%)
Iwobi: 2.1 dribbles per 90 (53.8%)
One thing I love about Zaha’s game is his ability to draw a penalty. He’s worth a bunch of goals every season by drawing contact in the box.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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Does it make any sense for him to do this right now? I mean, it’s kinda late, right?

Or is this a Sky Sports rumor to attract eyeballs and nothing else?
I don't think its very rational to hand in a transfer request this late, but he could be frustrated.

I thought I saw the news from several sources, and I haven't seen it explicitly denied, but maybe its one of those things where it all traces back to one origin story from Sky that is unreliable. I don't think they are very reliable in general.
 

OCST

Sunny von Bulow
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Iwobi would sit next to Walcott. They're just taking up roster spots that should go to younger guys with potential.
Right. Walcott has been poor. I don't want him anymore and I don't want more of the same from Iwobi. Same with the links to Smalling or any of ManU's surplus CBs, now that they have a glut of them.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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On the Arsenal front, the Tierney deal for about 25m seems done pending medical and there also seems to be a relatively high chance of signing David Luiz for about 8m, which is a weird one but actually makes a lot of sense as a stopgap solution.

We entered the transfer window with four big needs and if these deals go through we'll have addressed all four, albeit in some creative ways.

LB (Tierney)
Wing (Pepe)
CB (Luiz as a stopgap and Saliba as the longterm answer)
CM (Ceballos for a year at least)

We'll see how it goes but I'm really liking the Sanllehi era so far.
 

candylandriots

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I don't think its very rational to hand in a transfer request this late, but he could be frustrated.

I thought I saw the news from several sources, and I haven't seen it explicitly denied, but maybe its one of those things where it all traces back to one origin story from Sky that is unreliable. I don't think they are very reliable in general.
I just saw it in The Guardian too, and apparently he’s pissed after Everton offered £70mm, James McCarthy and Cenk Tosun (the latter on a one year loan), because Palace said they would accept a “reasonable offer”. Whether such an offer coming so late is “reasonable” is more than debatable...but it sounds like this might become a problem.

Also, Palace just signed Victor Camarasa, (apparently on loan) no link it’s from the Five Year Plan plan podcast.

Edit: Here’s a link.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/football/49265655
Edit 2: I’m really worried about this season.
 

DJnVa

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There’s suddenly a lot of smoke regarding Dybala. The final sticking point was said to be his image rights, and there’s now talk that Spurs are going to meet the demand. Not much time to finalize.
 

67YAZ

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Bad news for our man Yedlin - Newcastle signed Swedish international right back Emil Krafth. I don’t know Krafth all that well, but this should be important year for Yedlin as he competes with a new signing and tries to win over a new manager.
 

Zomp

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The window started so well for United but it’s now shambles. Our net spend will be less than Villa’s. Hope the kids can step up.
 

DJnVa

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Dybala deal might be falling apart. Apparently, many young South American players sell their image rights for cash, hedging against making it big. Well, Dybala made it big, and now the 3rd party that holds the rights might scuttle the deal.

There's talk that, like Lo Celso, they'll do a season-long loan with obligation to buy to give them more time to figure it out, but there's a lot of moving parts. Spurs want to sell
Alderweireld but are focused on Dybala to that deal's detriment per some reports.

If they get Lo Celso and Sessegnon across the line today, along with NDombele previously, it's still a massive window, but Dybala would be amazing...
 

DJnVa

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That stinks, but it was a nice try.

Wonder if there will be any last minute shockers for anyone. Zaha maybe?
 

PedroSpecialK

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Klopp said "No answer" when asked about Coutinho returning - pretty sure he's just yanking chains though

Zaha seems like it's gonna come down to the wire. If Arsenal don't budge on Iwobi it'll make it a lot easier for Everton to do the right thing (for them) and up the Zaha offer IMO
 

Zososoxfan

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Has fallen apart, according to most UK news outlets (BBC, Guardian, etc.).
Yep, hard to see him moving now. If Spurs finalize GLC and Sess, I'd still say that's a damn good transfer window. I'd prefer they keep Aurier, as I enjoy his game to an irrational level.

Luiz to Arse is a funny move. He will certainly help initiate their attack and breaking the press, but against tough competition he does not hold up well. Still, I think he is an improvement on the clown show that was Arse CBs last season.

Still seems like United have one move left in them. Maybe Eriksen (although that doesn't make sense for the player IMO), or something more random.

Wonder if Barca-PSG could work out a loan for Coutinho to subsidize the Ney return. Although the Real rumors are more likely to come true IMO.
 

DJnVa

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BBC reporting that Spurs are selling Cameron Carter-Vickers to Stoke for £6M.
 

OCST

Sunny von Bulow
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Klopp said "No answer" when asked about Coutinho returning - pretty sure he's just yanking chains though

Zaha seems like it's gonna come down to the wire. If Arsenal don't budge on Iwobi it'll make it a lot easier for Everton to do the right thing (for them) and up the Zaha offer IMO
Everton fan boards are in meltdown, not only over Zaha, but the failure to get a CB. Looked like Zouma and Fikayo Tomori were duking it out for the last CB spot at Chelsea. Tomori played under Lampard last year and was a Lampard favorite. There were signs that Chelsea would sell Zouma back to Everton, and if not, they'd loan Tomori. But with Sideshow Bob's stunt, Chelsea is keeping both. Everton now left to grovel after Utd's table scraps. Actually got turned down for Smalling, and are now close to signing Marcos Rojo for 25M, rumored. Toffees are losing their shit.
 

OurF'ingCity

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Everton now left to grovel after Utd's table scraps. Actually got turned down for Smalling, and are now close to signing Marcos Rojo for 25M, rumored. Toffees are losing their shit.
Yeah, this is gross. According to reports Rojo is in or on his way to Liverpool to complete the deal so unfortunately this one seems locked in. Big step down from Zouma, needless to say - can't wait to see how many red cards he accumulates before his inevitable season-ending injury a few months in.

I still have some hope Zaha ultimately makes his way over - apparently he trained separately away from the team yesterday. Does Palace really want a malcontent hanging around for half the season? There's certainly always the risk another team could swoop in at the last minute but at this point it really seems like Palace and Everton are just playing chicken with each other.

Edit: I mean, Everton desperately need a CB so I guess Rojo is better than nothing? Just thought they could do better than that this transfer window - they seemed to have unwisely spent a lot of time trying to convince Chelsea to give up Zouma and then were struck rushing for scraps in the final hours of the window when that didn't pan out.
 

67YAZ

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The Everton CB situation is really strange. Marcel Brands doesn’t often get caught without a plan B and C.

Ismaila Sarr from Rennes to Watford for £35m. Great business for Rennes, and a really exciting prospect to watch the in the EPL. He has the potential to be a Zaha-esque dribbling terror down the wing.
 

candylandriots

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Yeah, this is gross. According to reports Rojo is in or on his way to Liverpool to complete the deal so unfortunately this one seems locked in. Big step down from Zouma, needless to say - can't wait to see how many red cards he accumulates before his inevitable season-ending injury a few months in.

I still have some hope Zaha ultimately makes his way over - apparently he trained separately away from the team yesterday. Does Palace really want a malcontent hanging around for half the season? There's certainly always the risk another team could swoop in at the last minute but at this point it really seems like Palace and Everton are just playing chicken with each other.

Edit: I mean, Everton desperately need a CB so I guess Rojo is better than nothing? Just thought they could do better than that this transfer window - they seemed to have unwisely spent a lot of time trying to convince Chelsea to give up Zouma and then were struck rushing for scraps in the final hours of the window when that didn't pan out.
Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but I don’t see how Palace can risk letting Zaha go now. Their record without him is abysmal. There’s no way they can replace him in literally 5 minutes. Unless they want money now and pretty much guaranteed relegation, he’s got to stay and hopefully work something out to let him go next year.
 

OurF'ingCity

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Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but I don’t see how Palace can risk letting Zaha go now. Their record without him is abysmal. There’s no way they can replace him in literally 5 minutes. Unless they want money now and pretty much guaranteed relegation, he’s got to stay and hopefully work something out to let him go next year.
Looks like you were right - question is how Zaha's effort levels will be given he put in a transfer request. Clubs deal with those all the time though so maybe not a huge deal for Palace. Iwobi is I guess an ok consolation prize but that does seem to be an overpay.

Also looks like the Rojo deal fell through, which is good in the sense that he's not a great fit for Everton as noted above, but bad in the sense that Everton still only has essentially two serviceable CBs, one of whom is injury prone.