aimaad22

Chicken nonce pretending to be cool yet managing to have another meltdown on Twitter:

No

I think the questions are getting a litte repititive and cumbersome. They seem to ask everyone the same thing over and over again, about the fans, the passion the city has for the club etc. I mean, its more than clear the owners have understood this and already used it in a good way. Start with that sure but maybe ask a couple of inventive ones too. Whats the 5 year plan, how do you plan to market the club globally etc etc. Although I do get why you would want to play completely safe talking to MBS's right hand man (allegedly)

Journos seems to have varying ideas about where we will play Tonali. The consensus of course has been he will slot into DM to 'unleash' Bruno but there was an article yesterday in the Athletic about him being played ahead of Bruno. Not subscribing currently so no idea what the details were Interesting to see what Eddie has planned.

Stinky breath Is there something I'm missing here or are Italians just not that great at throwing insults when racism is out of the equation.

Rumours Ashworth might move onto discussions for Dimarco after wrapping this deal up. Absolute scenes if he manages to pull that off.

Add Maddisson/Szobozlai and what a midfield that is man.

I was more excited about Barella as I've seen him play more, but this sounds like a coup too. He's a defensive minded mid I think so we would be able to push Bruno forward.

Still no way to order the CL one online? Castore is a real shower of shite, get rid ASAP

Van den Boomen always makes me chuckle. I wasn't aware Jar Jar Binks now is naming babies in the Netherlands

Didn't China try to do something similar a few years back to try and give their league a boost? I don't know exactly why that failed but probably a main reason was they never invested enough in the infrastructure around the country, and maybe foreign players never got used to living in the country or didnt like it enough? Saudi will have the same problems. Also makes the club more sustainable long term. We just have to hope the oldies here stick around long enough to see Trippier lift the 2025 FA Cup after the CL semi-final hearbreak before his retirement move to FC Dallas.

Aye thats true enough, they're trying to emulate what Dubai has done in terms of reducing oil dependency. But I referred to PIF as the revamping tool, not NUFC. In revenue terms the football club will not ever come close to replacing even a tiny portion of their oil revenues. But as part of the larger strategy yes we may be a piece, and tons of money being thrown around now by their league is another. People just shouldn't be surprised about it in this context.

NUFC are a tiny part of PIFs portfolio. And PIF are just one of the tools MBS is using to revamp and re-market Saudi Arabia. There is a massive development drive going on over there to the tune of trillions of dollars literally. If and once they are able to develop all the tourist/luxury infrastructure you need people to come in and use it. Improving image, getting celebrties to come and live in the country and visit for events etc obviously helps with that. There are no FFP rules in Saudi (I guess?), so this is a great chance for them to attract footballers that noone else in Europe really wants at those prices/wages. It makes sense that the financial muscle of PIF is engaged for that. We shouldn't think even for a moment that we're the only or the main priority. I agree with what Gemmill said, we're likely to be an independent long term project and Im sure the investment will keep coming in as has been promised. A different sort of venture from the supercharged throw cash in the face projects PIF will be helping with in Saudi.

If it was 30M plus Raphina offer from Barca I think we'd still be laughing.

It's going to take time for us to get to the stage where our rejects have European pedigree. Top 4 race is going to be insane next season, I don't think anybody is guaranteed a spot other than City.

Surely Al Hilal or someone can help us out with a $50M joint bid for Lascelles and Fraser

If we actually do just spend a total of $75M it would be akin in terms of lost opportunity to what Ashley did after the season we finished 5th and signed Anita or whoever. Don't see it happening.

City just made a whole show of the treble trophy presentation in Abu Dhabi. MBS will be squirming on his throne (sorry I mean chair)

Why? You could have said the same about Bruno, Isak and Botman and that was before the CL. Not saying we'll definitely get him but we're absolutely right to be putting our name in the hat. That's the calibre of player you need to target to cement top 4 status and lay the foundations for a title charge down the line. Think of it this way. Maybe we wont get Barella. But between him, Maddisson, Szobozlai (and probably a couple of others the press knows nothing about) there's a good chance we'll get at least one.

Yeah but most reports now saying there's some way to go. Let's see. Either way, this sort of stuff that will help pass the summer by

Ah that's a bit of a disappointment for a moment it seemed like we'd pulled another Isak style stealth deal out of nowhere. But aye we'll lap it up after the McTominay, Maguire and Walker-Peters links

I'd take him over Maddisson, different player but he has the type of heart and energy you get from Joe/Bruno. Lack of balls/being dropped for Leceister in the deep end of the relegation fight doesnt bode too well for Maddisson. I'd trust Eddie to sort that kinda stuff out pronto if we did sign him though

If we do get Barella I'd prefer us to go for a winger and LB over Maddisson. Unless Howe is planning to use Maddisson on the right.