Polarboy

I think it might have been on Wilson and Antonio's podcast I heard about it, but they were basically saying that Scamacca was being played as a traditional 9 by Moyes because of his height and the way Moyes likes to play, but he's much more effective with the ball to his feet, exchanging passes around the box etc. And then he got injured for an extended period. So I think it might be unfair to judge him too harshly at present. If we could get him for a decent price I'd definitely take him for that third striker spot we have. I'm certain Howe could get the best out of him.

I think that's more to do with the elite Italian players tending to stay in Italy or go to Spain. Obviously apart from the exceptions you mentioned. We got the dregs for the most part with players like Pistone for us.

🍆😐

An elite player who's often named among the best midfielders in Europe, with his prime years ahead of him, in the current market is going to cost. And again you would assume 85m is there ideal price, not their realistic price and that they'd probably accept substantially less when negotiations are said and done. He's easily worth 70m in the current market.

Inter have supposedly slapped an 85m price tag on Barella. If we were looking at 50m as an opening price and they are looking for 85m, then there's likely a compromise of somewhere around the 65, 70m mark, with perhaps some performance related bonus' added on top take it closer to 85m. If the 85M figure actually came from a legitimate source from Inter, then the very fact that they are putting a figure out there instead of just flat out saying he's not for sale, as we've pretty much done with Bruno, tells you that they are willing to sell and negotiate a price.

Sane is pretty punchable though. Always gave off vibes of I am elite at Citeh without seemingly wanting to put the actual graft in to compliment his undoubted talent. Perhaps he's changed since he went to Bayern.

In fairness smacking a teammate could be reason enough. He still managed 12 goals and 6 assists in 38 games last season.

BILD in Germany are saying that Bayern are willing to sell Mane for 27.5m and that Mane would be open to joining us. Although it does also say that Mane would be happy to stay at Bayern. Given that he allegedly punched Sane he mightn't have much choice depending on if the matter was fully resolved. I mean you'd take him give his experience in the CL, the goals he brings, etc, and he's recently turned 31 so he probably has at least a couple of years of elite football left in him. The problem you'd assume would be the wages given he's near the end of his career. Plus we've been told that Howe sees Gordon as an important part of next season's team, so it begs the question where he fits in if we bought Mane.

Looking at the line up for last night's game, assuming that the BBC line up is accurate given I didn't watch the game live, Frattesi played right side of midfield which is where Barella usually plays for Inter. Regardless I think it's probably safe to say they can play in the same team, but also both operate as an 8 in that right side of midfield. Having looked Fratessi does generally play left in the midfield three for Sassuolo, but he's right footed so again I see no reason why he couldn't take Barella's position at Inter. Anyway it's mere speculation at this stage, but I don't think it's out of the realms of possibilty that Fratessi will be Barella's replacement. It seems clear, as you mentioned, that they need to sell to buy. Whether they'll flog Barella who's probably their most salable asset is the question.

https://football-italia.net/inter-edge-closer-to-frattesi-deal-after-positive-meeting-with-sassuolo/ Inter are supposedly after this young midfielder off Sassuolo. Hopefully he's their replacement for Barella.

The best thing about competing with Spuds for a player is that Levy is always likely to offer less than you.

Maybe it's a case of you scratch my back I'll scratch yours. They publish a nonsense transfer war chest amount, and then the club let them know when we're about to actually buy a player etc. The journos of course will always fall back on saying, "well that's what were briefed it was, it's not our fault if we were lied to by the people at the club".

The Italian footy mags are saying that 70m is the price for even sitting down to negotiate for Barella. In fairness 50m was never going to work for a player who's rated so highly in the current market. We could perhaps put in some performance related bonus's, percentage of sell on fee etc. Of course it should also be remembered that Inter are skint, and may accept a lower offer than they normally would. On the more pessimistic side it's very likely that some of the other top clubs are waiting for a fee that Inter find acceptable to be established before they try and swoop in themselves.

Kane's dad is from Galway as well. Can you imagine Kane, Grealish, Bellingham, and Rice playing alongside Hendrick 😂 Mind you that lot along with Ferguson would make a very decent, to put it mildly, half a team at least.

One thing seems clear from all the reporting, and that is that we're definitely at least interested. I share the scepticism of some in regard to us pulling the transfer off, but whether we sign him or not, that we're going after someone of his calibre illustrates the level of player we're looking to sign, and that's an incredibly exciting sign of things to come.

He could have at least got him the new one 😂

Some of the Italian publications are saying there's no truth to the Barella stuff, that he's on international duty, and he doesn't plan on leaving Inter. Then again, Italian football mags are about as trustworthy as Bill Cosby holding your drink.

Apparently Barella's favoured position would be Longstaff's role in the team, as in right side of midfield and relatively attack minded with late runs into the box. The difference being that Barella can finish. He can play any role in midfield, so it's going to be interesting to see where he plays, if indeed we sign him, and who else we buy. If we buy a specialist 6 as well that would make things clearer with regard to where Howe intends to play him. Bruno and Barella in midfield could be obscene. I wouldn't be shocked if we've gone after Barella as an alternative to Maddison. I read that Maddison's agent is also the agent of the new Spuds manager, so perhaps he is set on going there despite what some are saying about us still wanting Maddison as well.

More a freak of medical science given, and correct me if I'm mistaken, he was pumped full of growth hormone as a kid because of some medical condition he had. I would guess the condition was shortarsedus dominicus.

Something along to the tune of Umbrella by Rhianna for his song if he gets confirmed.

Someone released a training starting line up and he was in it alongside Casimiro and Paqueta in a midfield three. Whether it's legit or definitely what they are going with I have no idea.